![]() “I might not be able to figure this out, but somebody out there could.” “When I saw the owner’s manual and owner’s schematic, I felt really good about it,” Utley said. I don’t know how many times he had to wind that thing up, but it was a bunch.”Īnd the rebuild received a big early boost once they opened the machine for the first time, to find the owner’s manual and electrical schematics still intact. ![]() “And then he rewound it as he rebuilt it. “Eric took it and counted all the copper windings on each of the solenoids,” Utley said. Undaunted, Anderson rebuilt the amplifier from scratch, a task easier said than done. Utley scoured the internet for a suitable replacement, but found nothing. Curtis Utley cleans a component to his Evel Knievel pinball machine. Courtesy photoĪSSISTING with his labor of love was Iolan Eric Anderson, an electronics wizard who brought the electrical components back to life, most importantly the pinball machine’s power amplifier.Ī power amplifier is best described as a pinball machine’s brains and central nervous system all in one, providing power to each circuit board, flipper and light.Īnd, as Utley noted, this amplifier was toasted long before he purchased the machine from Lang last summer. “Nothing worked on it, but he gave me a good deal, and some buddies of mine helped haul it home.” Eric Anderson works on an electronic component while helping restore an Evel Knievel pinball machine for Curtis Utley. Utley went over to Lang’s to get a closer look. “Wouldn’t that be awesome,” Utley said with a grin. “You really need an Evel Knievel pinball machine,” Lang said. Curtis Utley kept his restored Evel Knievel pinball machine briefly in his garage before putting it on display at Utley’s Iola Auto Body on North State. It was when Utley showed off the helmet to family friend Gary Lang, who sells body shop supplies, that talk about adding to the collection surfaced. Not long ago, Utley decided to add another relic, an old motorcycle helmet he painted as an exact replica of the ones Knievel wore during his career. (That very toy is now on display at the body shop.) “My parents spoiled me, and allowed me to get some of his toys,” Utley recalled, such as an Evel Knievel figurine atop a toy motorcycle. The pinball machine is a perfect pairing of two of Utley’s childhood passions: Playing arcade games, and watching Evel Knievel.īorn Robert Craig Knievel, the motorcycle stunt performer gained worldwide acclaim in the 1970s for his ability to successfully (and occasionally unsuccessfully) clear various obstacles such as cars or trucks. “A lot of people come in just to see it.” “It’s been a joy to get this going,” Utley said. Most notably, the machine features one of Utley’s childhood idols, renowned daredevil Evel Knievel. Utley and friends recently restored a 1970s era pinball machine that now sits prominently in the front office at Utley’s Iola Auto Body on North State Street. But I just handed my pinball crown to him.Ĭurtis Utley’s latest addition to his workspace has nothing to do with car restoration.
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