Top Speed

Top Speed, manufactured by Recel S.A. of Madrid, Spain in 1975, is an example of the electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machines produced by one of the few Spanish pinball manufacturers of the era. Its auto-racing theme was a popular choice for pinball machines of the time.

The machine's features include two flippers, three pop bumpers, two slingshots, and 11 standup targets, creating a dynamic gameplay experience for up to four players. Notable elements include captive balls, star rollover mechanisms, and kick-out holes. The center pop bumper sits inside a closed ring of rebound rubbers, inaccessible by direct contact, with a captive ball at the bottom of the ring to be knocked toward the bumper. The game's sound package features three chimes and a bell.

Top Speed's design and art are characteristic of 1970s European pinball machines, with an auto-racing theme and layout distinct from contemporaneous American releases. It is the four-player counterpart to Recel's 1976 single-player 'Top Racer.' Little further information is documented about the machine's designer, but it offers an interesting glimpse into Spanish pinball manufacturing of the mid-1970s.