So, coming off of the Internazionale I bought last month, I actually ran into another machine last week that I just confirmed the purchase and shipping. A (I believe) 1953 Gaggia Classica 1 group.
This one has a slightly interesting story as to how I found this machine in the first place that took place in May of 2019, and it involved a purchase of some vintage wall mounted lamps.
There is a large antique market that is every Sunday in Agnano at the Hippodrome from 3am-noon (yes 3am) that sells anything from paintings to caffettiere. I usually went with my mom and she bought a pair of wall lamps from one of the many vendors named Luciano. Luciano was interested in Americans who speak pretty decent Italian and we talked for bit. We eventually wandered into coffee and he saw some of my machines I had at the time. He told me he knew a guy who owned some espresso machines and set up a meeting with him a week later. We drove Luciano to and from his pick up place near where he lives in Casoria (north of Naples but south of where I lived at the time) to this man. Just note that up until we picked him up we did not know who he was, and here we are ferrying this man in our car directing us to a place in the province of Salerno after seeing him for the second time ever. We were chatting about everything and I had a fun time practicing my Italian, which has opened up horizons I did not expect. Being interested in coffee is also a plus in Italy (who knew!).
We arrived and the man showed up soon after, and his name is Franco. Showing us inside we found out what he did: he was an appliance distributor, including two espresso machine companies (Faema and Gaggia). It was started by his father in the early 1970's and he took over after him. He owned various machines, including an the Gaggia Classica and a 1908 machine called a Torino Express. He took in machines for maintenance and sold various spare parts for Gaggia and Faema. At the time I was beginning my first project, the Gaggia LL 2 group. Franco supplied me with some parts for a good price.
He showed me the Classica, some grinders, and the Torino Express machines he had at the time. Prior to meeting he had a 3 group Classica and 2 group Spagna but unfortunately those were already sold (I would have seriously tried buying them though if he still had them!). I was unable to afford his price and had to sadly leave the machine with him and said bye to both Franco and Luciano.
Fast forward to last week. We exchanged telephone numbers at the time but I lost track of Franco's number when it changed. Therefore it was unknown what he was doing during the 2+ years but I finally figured out his number when I realized the number switches over on WhatsApp automically to his new one, and he responded to me! He still had the Classica and I was able to negotiate a very reasonable price for the machine. It is now being prepped for shipment and should arrive to me in a week or two hopefully. I had a friend nearby ready to pick it up for me if Franco was not able to ship it, and they did talk but it was determined not to be necessary.
He is adorable! He sent me videos describing how he was taking parts off in prep for shipment (like the lever) and asked when I would be visiting again. I certainly will try at some point, perhaps next year.
These four pics are ones I took in 2019. I am guessing 1953 for the age as it's sort of written on the manometer but smudged. These are not the original size pics so it may be hard to read them. The serial number is SC 1734. Things I note as missing is the sight glass metal cover, which I believe is the same length as the Faema Mercurio. The original plexi is very slightly chipped in one corner but nothing serious.

One of the pics Franco sent me last week.
This one has a slightly interesting story as to how I found this machine in the first place that took place in May of 2019, and it involved a purchase of some vintage wall mounted lamps.
There is a large antique market that is every Sunday in Agnano at the Hippodrome from 3am-noon (yes 3am) that sells anything from paintings to caffettiere. I usually went with my mom and she bought a pair of wall lamps from one of the many vendors named Luciano. Luciano was interested in Americans who speak pretty decent Italian and we talked for bit. We eventually wandered into coffee and he saw some of my machines I had at the time. He told me he knew a guy who owned some espresso machines and set up a meeting with him a week later. We drove Luciano to and from his pick up place near where he lives in Casoria (north of Naples but south of where I lived at the time) to this man. Just note that up until we picked him up we did not know who he was, and here we are ferrying this man in our car directing us to a place in the province of Salerno after seeing him for the second time ever. We were chatting about everything and I had a fun time practicing my Italian, which has opened up horizons I did not expect. Being interested in coffee is also a plus in Italy (who knew!).
We arrived and the man showed up soon after, and his name is Franco. Showing us inside we found out what he did: he was an appliance distributor, including two espresso machine companies (Faema and Gaggia). It was started by his father in the early 1970's and he took over after him. He owned various machines, including an the Gaggia Classica and a 1908 machine called a Torino Express. He took in machines for maintenance and sold various spare parts for Gaggia and Faema. At the time I was beginning my first project, the Gaggia LL 2 group. Franco supplied me with some parts for a good price.
He showed me the Classica, some grinders, and the Torino Express machines he had at the time. Prior to meeting he had a 3 group Classica and 2 group Spagna but unfortunately those were already sold (I would have seriously tried buying them though if he still had them!). I was unable to afford his price and had to sadly leave the machine with him and said bye to both Franco and Luciano.
Fast forward to last week. We exchanged telephone numbers at the time but I lost track of Franco's number when it changed. Therefore it was unknown what he was doing during the 2+ years but I finally figured out his number when I realized the number switches over on WhatsApp automically to his new one, and he responded to me! He still had the Classica and I was able to negotiate a very reasonable price for the machine. It is now being prepped for shipment and should arrive to me in a week or two hopefully. I had a friend nearby ready to pick it up for me if Franco was not able to ship it, and they did talk but it was determined not to be necessary.
He is adorable! He sent me videos describing how he was taking parts off in prep for shipment (like the lever) and asked when I would be visiting again. I certainly will try at some point, perhaps next year.
These four pics are ones I took in 2019. I am guessing 1953 for the age as it's sort of written on the manometer but smudged. These are not the original size pics so it may be hard to read them. The serial number is SC 1734. Things I note as missing is the sight glass metal cover, which I believe is the same length as the Faema Mercurio. The original plexi is very slightly chipped in one corner but nothing serious.
One of the pics Franco sent me last week.

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