1977 Gottlieb Solar City
Manufacturer : Gottlieb
Year : 1977
Players : 2
Type : Electro-mechanical
Production : 2,634 units
Status : Coming Soon
Gottlieb’s Solar City is a two-player electro-mechanical pinball machine released in March 1977. Designed by Ed Krynski with artwork by Gordon Morison, it features a fantasy theme with winged creatures, archers, and castles. Reimagining the layout of Gottlieb’s classic El Dorado, Solar City delivers target-focused gameplay with fifteen drop targets, four flippers, and traditional mechanical scoring.
Game Features
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Two-player electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machine
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Fantasy-themed backglass and playfield artwork
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Fifteen drop targets across two banks
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Ten-target bank spanning the upper playfield
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Five additional drop targets on the right side
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Four flippers, including two upper mini-flippers
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Two pop bumpers
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Two slingshots
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Rollover lanes for additional scoring
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End-of-ball bonus for downed targets
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Mechanical score reels and classic replay features
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Playfield layout shared with Gottlieb El Dorado and Target Alpha
Overview
Solar City brings a fantasy adventure theme to one of Gottlieb’s well-known target-heavy playfield designs. Its artwork features winged creatures, archers, and castles, replacing the old-west imagery associated with El Dorado. The result is a distinctive visual style paired with the classic mechanical gameplay that made Gottlieb’s electro-mechanical machines popular with players and collectors.
The playfield features fifteen drop targets, with a large bank of ten targets across the top and five additional targets on the right side. Four flippers, including two smaller upper flippers, give players multiple ways to control the ball and attack the targets. Pop bumpers, slingshots, rollover lanes, and an end-of-ball bonus for downed targets add variety to the scoring.
Released in March 1977, Solar City was produced as a two-player replay game, with 2,525 regular production units reported, in addition to 109 sample games from 1976. Sharing its basic playfield layout with El Dorado and Target Alpha, Solar City offers a unique fantasy presentation of a classic Gottlieb design. Its colorful artwork, extensive drop-target banks, and traditional reel scoring make it a memorable addition to a vintage pinball collection.
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View Restoration Details Playfield (Top Side) • Fully disassembled, cleaned, waxed, and conditioned • New rubbers, lane guides, posts, bulbs, and pinball • New flipper bats • Standup switches and rollover switches polished and adjusted • Plastics cleaned and conditioned Playfield (Underside) • Complete flipper rebuilds (coils, stops, switches, links, springs) • Pop bumper assemblies rebuilt • All relays cleaned, filed, and properly adjusted • Stepper units fully disassembled, cleaned, and calibrated Cabinet & Bottom Board • New power cord and fuse holders • Bottom board fully disassembled and cleaned • Relays, step units, and score motor serviced and adjusted • Jones plugs cleaned for solid connections • Cabinet cleaned inside and out Backbox / Head • Scoring reels disassembled, cleaned, and properly adjusted • Stepper units and relays serviced • New bulbs installed Additional Work • Weak or burned coils replaced as needed • Coin door fully disassembled, cleaned, and polished with new coin entry plates • Chime box cleaned, polished, and rebuilt • Shooter assembly polished with new springs installed • Metal trim, side rails, and legs polished • New locks, bolts, and leg levelers/castors installed • New sheet of playfield glass installed • New bulbs installed throughout entire game Warranty ✔ 1-Year Warranty (local sales) ✔ One service visit included within first year (includes playfield waxing, rubber replacement if needed, and full function check)