Top Racer

The Recel S.A. Top Racer, manufactured in Madrid, Spain in 1976, is an example of the electro-mechanical pinball machines produced by one of the few Spanish manufacturers of the era. Its auto-racing theme and playfield design are characteristic of European EM pinball of the mid-1970s.

The machine's key features include two flippers, three pop bumpers, and two slingshots, which work together to create a fast-paced racing-themed playfield experience. Ten standup targets add an extra layer of challenge and strategy to the game. The center pop bumper is particularly noteworthy, as it's situated inside a ring of rebound rubbers with a captive ball resting at the bottom, to be hit by the ball in play toward the pop bumper. An up-post between the flippers and end-of-ball bonus round out the feature set.

Top Racer's wedge-head cabinet and design are characteristic of 1970s European pinball machines. It is the single-player counterpart to Recel's 1975 four-player 'Top Speed.' Little further information is documented about the machine's designer, but it remains an interesting piece for collectors interested in the early days of Spanish pinball manufacturing.