Band Wagon

Band Wagon, manufactured by Williams in 1955, is a four-player electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machine with a cheerful parades theme. It was designed by pinball pioneer Harry Williams himself, with artwork by George Molentin, one of the most prolific artists of the era.

The playfield features two flippers, three pop bumpers, eight passive bumpers, a kick-out hole, and a gobble hole - that last feature a classic 1950s risk-reward element that swallows the ball in exchange for a big score. The game offers a triple match feature (number, star, and clover), giving players three chances at a free game when the ball drains, and it keeps track of earned replays on a three-digit replay counter.

Band Wagon's design and artwork are characteristic of 1950s Williams machines, with Molentin's colorful illustrations depicting festive parade scenes. Its straightforward but engaging package makes it a nice representative of mid-1950s Williams production.