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The Grasley Garage! Twilight Zone Reimagined! Fathom & Centaur join the Queue!

Pinball Shenanigans·video·15m 43s·analyzed·Apr 24, 2026
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Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.024

TL;DR

Twilight Zone reimagined restoration showcase with Fathom & Centaur joining Grazley Garage queue.

Summary

Mike Dimes visits Grazley Garage to document Kevin's progress on his custom one-of-a-kind Twilight Zone reimagined machine, featuring custom art, powder-coated parts, and restored cabinet work. The episode also showcases other restoration projects in progress (Xenon, Tales of Arabian Night, Night Rider) and two newly arrived machines—Fathom and Centaur—joining the queue for the 'Dutch treatment' restoration service. Context is provided about American Pinball recent acquisition and announcement of Williams/Bally remakes with a new 'reimagined' tier featuring custom art by Brian Allen.

Key Claims

  • American Pinball was just purchased and has announced Williams/Bally remakes with Pro, Premium, and Reimagined models

    high confidence · Mike Dimes, discussing Twilight Zone reimagined project context

  • Cirqus Voltaire will be the first game announced in the American Pinball reimagined lineup with custom art by Brian Allen

    high confidence · Mike Dimes, providing context for American Pinball new strategy

  • Kevin (Dutch) previously completed playfield swap restorations on Barracuda, Seawitch, Medusa, and other games for Sean Bennish, achieving high-quality dialed-in play

    high confidence · Mike Dimes and Kevin discussing Bennish's previous restoration work

  • Fathom and Centaur previously had playfield swaps done by another technician but are being brought to Grazley Garage for higher-quality restoration work

    high confidence · Mike Dimes discussing the condition and history of newly arrived machines

  • James Rees is no longer in business; James Rees rails for Fathom and Centaur are new old stock parts

    high confidence · Kevin and Mike Dimes discussing parts sourcing for Fathom restoration

Notable Quotes

  • “American Pinball was just purchased and they have announced that they're going to be coming out with some, you know, remaking some Williams titles. And uh there's going to be like a few different models. There's going to be like this sort of pro and the premium. And then there's going to be the reimagined version.”

    Mike Dimes@ 11:16 — Explains the strategic context for the Twilight Zone reimagined project and American Pinball's new product tiers

  • “Dutch is picky. And that's a good that's a compliment when it comes to like how the machine plays.”

    Mike Dimes@ 7:04 — Characterizes the quality standard and reputation of Kevin's restoration work at Grazley Garage

  • “Medusa and he loves how they play, how dialed in they are. These are going to get a general touch-up shop job, replace anything, and then dial all in.”

    Mike Dimes@ 7:19 — Demonstrates customer satisfaction with Grazley Garage's restoration quality and approach for upcoming Fathom/Centaur work

  • “I think I'm going to call this the Twilight Zone reimagined. So, one of a kind and uh there will not be another one like it.”

    Mike Dimes@ 11:47 — Names the custom restoration project and emphasizes its uniqueness

  • “Every bolt has been polished. And I'm sure there's a new nylon feet, new leg bolts with washers, leg levelers, and Gravely Garage seal of approval.”

    Kevin@ 14:06 — Details the thoroughness and quality standards applied to restoration work

Entities

Mike DimespersonKevinpersonSean Bennishperson[name withheld pending review]venueAmerican PinballcompanyBrian AllenpersonTwilight ZonegameCirqus Voltairegame

Signals

  • ?

    restoration_signal: Kevin (Dutch) at Grazley Garage demonstrates meticulous restoration standards: every bolt polished, new powder-coated parts, custom wire forms, sandblasted components, metal leg protectors, custom shooter rods, and full playfield recreation with period-accurate parts sourcing

    high · Detailed walkthrough of Twilight Zone restoration showing extensive customization and quality standards

  • ?

    product_strategy: American Pinball post-acquisition strategy includes three product tiers: standard Pro, Premium, and new custom Reimagined variant with artist-designed art by Brian Allen; Circus Voltaire announced as first title

    high · Mike Dimes explanation of American Pinball's new business model and product positioning

  • ?

    venue_signal: Grazley Garage operating at high capacity with multiple concurrent restoration projects: Twilight Zone, Xenon, Tales of Arabian Nights, Knight Rider, Fathom, Centaur; using rotisseries and sequential workflow management

    high · Tour of active workstations and queue discussion showing 6+ simultaneous projects

  • ?

    operational_signal: James Rees rails supplier is no longer in business; Grazley Garage sourcing new old stock (NOS) parts for both Fathom and Centaur restorations, indicating supply chain constraint in aftermarket parts

    high · Kevin and Mike discussing James Rees rails as NOS for Fathom and Centaur restoration

  • ?

    design_philosophy: Grazley Garage philosophy emphasizes meticulous attention to detail, dial-in accuracy, and custom personalization; Kevin's work characterized as 'picky' but resulting in superior play experience vs. basic playfield swap work

Transcript

youtube_auto_sub · $0.000

0:02
Yo, what is going on? It is a beautiful day in London, Ontario. Probably like 20° C. And it's about freaking time. It only took till like almost May, but I think winter is finally gone. So, I'm going to head over to the Greasily Garage because Kevin has made some significant progress on my one-of-a-kind Twilight Zone. And he sent me a teaser photo last night and it looks amazing. I'm Mike Dimes and this [music] is Pinball Shenanigans. Hi doggies.
0:52
I'm eager to go check out the action. See what other uh things he's working on. I think there's progress on Tales of the Arabian Nights, on Xenon, and whatever else, but the highlight for today is going to be this one-of-a-kind Twilight Zone. So, I am excited to check it out. First, I got to pop into the post office. I got to deliver a lock bar to um Wisconsin, which is the home of District 82. And earlier in the week, I actually shipped Eric Thorn some Evil Knievel pop bumper cap decals. And I got to deliver I got to ship um some decals Jurassic Park decals to uh let's see Jason Ashby in Middletown, DE. What's that? Delaware? And I've got to ship Oh, this is a word No, not word warm womp rare complete in box Intellivision game that I bought off Shane Jackson of Maple Pinball. He bought his whole Intellivision collection. And that is going to Aaron Druniak. Oh, [ __ ] And um somewhere. Anyway, so go hit up the post office and then see you over at the Greasily Garage. All right, I'm back at the Greasily Garage. New things are happening including Dutch's haircut. Where did your long hair go? Um it's in a Ziploc bag somewhere around here, I think. It's going to go in an envelope and then the mailbox. Think so? There's the new do. Time for a change, I guess. There's a lot of new stuff happening at the Greasily Garage. So, let's start off in the garage here and see what's going on. Uh this is a Victory came from Forked River and that is going Uh this is being temporarily stored here by Corey and that is going to uh new home soon and >> Maple. Oh, that's right. It's going to
Fathom
game
Centaurgame
Xenongame
Tales of the Arabian Nightsgame
Night Ridergame
Ben Ziffperson
James Reesperson
JCperson
Aaron Druniakperson
Eric Thornperson
Jason Ashbyperson
Shane Jacksonperson

high · Comparison of previous Bennish restorations (basic swaps) vs. Grazley Garage approach; customer satisfaction anecdotes

  • ?

    collector_signal: Active secondary market circulation: Victory from Forked River moving to Maple Pinball, Solar Ride incoming, Popeye incoming from Allentown; Corey brokering deals and acquisitions at Allentown show

    high · Mike and Kevin discussing machine swaps, Corey's dealmaking, and incoming machines from Allentown

  • ?

    content_signal: Pinball Shenanigans format centers on recurring venue visits to document restoration progress and showcase completed projects; Grazley Garage serving as primary recurring location for content generation

    high · Episode structure, multiple project progression shots, before/after comparisons of restoration work

  • ?

    business_signal: American Pinball acquired by new ownership (implied recent transaction); strategic pivot toward Williams/Bally remakes under new leadership with expanded product tiers and artist collaboration

    high · Mike Dimes announcement: 'American Pinball was just purchased and they have announced...'

  • ?

    design_innovation: American Pinball introducing 'Reimagined' tier featuring completely custom art and design by established artists (Brian Allen for Circus Voltaire) applied to classic Williams/Bally themes, positioning as premium collectible variant

    high · Description of Circus Voltaire reimagined with custom art; Twilight Zone reimagined serving as physical example

  • ?

    community_signal: Tight-knit community of pinball enthusiasts exchanging parts, arranging machine swaps, shipping decals and components across North America; informal network of collectors, operators, and technicians supporting each other

    high · Multiple segments showing parts sourcing, decal shipping, machine transfers, and collaborative restoration work

  • ?

    restoration_signal: Restoration practice includes sourcing rare original parts or new old stock, custom fabrication of missing pieces, and repurposing components from donor machines; example: homemade fake plastic identified and replaced with original

    medium · Discussion of finding original plastic vs. homemade version; sourcing gumballs, Thunderbird, cash register, and Robbie the Robot for Twilight Zone

    • 3:03
    Maple. Oh, that's right. It's going to
    3:03
    Maple. Oh, that's right. It's going to Shane Jackson at Maple Pinball. And something is going to go in Victory's place. Do you remember what it is? Solar Ride. It's already gone. >> Solar Ride, that's right. It's a slight
    3:13
    Solar Ride, that's right. It's a slight
    3:13
    Solar Ride, that's right. It's a slight downgrade, but uh you know, we've had our fun with Victory, so I think Solar Ride's only going in there temporarily and then Popeye's going to go. Oh, yeah. Popeye's going to be coming to Forked and uh whatever else Corey buys at Allentown. I think he's got a couple deals lined up. Think World Cup. I'm sorry. World Cup Soccer? That would be amazing. Uh okay, so also we've got some progress here on the Xenon. >> Yeah, so Xenon head
    3:41
    Yeah, so Xenon head
    3:42
    Yeah, so Xenon head and Xenon body. Xenon head frame I saw in the driveway getting uh sanded. So, that is underway. And I see you've been working on the Tales of Arabian Nights playfield swap. >> Yeah, we had to steal part of the
    3:59
    Yeah, we had to steal part of the
    3:59
    Yeah, we had to steal part of the rotisserie for the Twilight Zone. >> Ah. Twilight playfield is on Oh, okay.
    4:04
    Ah. Twilight playfield is on Oh, okay.
    4:04
    Ah. Twilight playfield is on Oh, okay. Twilight Zone is now on the second rotisserie, so sorry Tales of Arabian Nights. I can still kind of work on it, but it's now a little more difficult. You need to build another one another set. But this thing is coming along. I like the combo of purple rubbers and transparent rubbers. Some purple posts.
    4:31
    The captor balls are kind of cute, the orbs. >> Yeah. They're kind of like floating in
    4:33
    Yeah. They're kind of like floating in
    4:33
    Yeah. They're kind of like floating in place. They're bolted in from the bottom. It's cool. >> Right.
    4:37
    Right.
    4:37
    Right. But then we end up powder coating all this stuff. >> Oh, very cool. The scimitar blade
    4:45
    Oh, very cool. The scimitar blade
    4:45
    Oh, very cool. The scimitar blade is gold. All this stuff. Ooh, skill shot. >> Yeah, here we go.
    4:50
    Yeah, here we go.
    4:50
    Yeah, here we go. Little dusty. Oh, that's nice. Yeah. And uh >> form. It's wire form. Oh, wow.
    4:59
    form. It's wire form. Oh, wow.
    4:59
    form. It's wire form. Oh, wow. >> Maple. Look at that.
    5:01
    Maple. Look at that.
    5:01
    Maple. Look at that. >> So, all new like uh
    5:04
    So, all new like uh
    5:04
    So, all new like uh Oh, you got the decals coming for that, too, right? >> JC's bringing on the thing. Oh, and
    5:08
    JC's bringing on the thing. Oh, and
    5:08
    JC's bringing on the thing. Oh, and shooter housing. Yep. And and that's like uh >> Bottom below the ramp. Right. Yeah, and
    5:15
    Bottom below the ramp. Right. Yeah, and
    5:15
    Bottom below the ramp. Right. Yeah, and it drops down the left side, I think. And new plastics are coming for it, too. New plastics? You got those ordered up? Yeah, they're coming. That's some progress. This is a This is a big job, so it's going to take you a few hours. Think they got the ramps? Yeah. Yeah, looks like it. These are the old ramps. Yeah, new ones are going on. And this looks like uh Knight Rider, I think. >> Knight Rider stuff.
    5:39
    Knight Rider stuff.
    5:39
    Knight Rider stuff. >> Yep.
    5:39
    Yep.
    5:39
    Yep. There's Knight Rider there. >> Knight Rider stripped as well. You have
    5:43
    Knight Rider stripped as well. You have
    5:43
    Knight Rider stripped as well. You have got like what? Six things going on at once now? And two new games just arrived. >> They did. Let's go check those out. Sean
    5:51
    They did. Let's go check those out. Sean
    5:51
    They did. Let's go check those out. Sean Bennish was just here dropping off a couple more projects. Uh And we'll look at those without looking at the Twilight Zone. It's going to be hard to do, though. How can I do this? Don't do that, Mike. My Ripley's is here. >> Okay, sorry. We will not smash the door
    6:08
    Okay, sorry. We will not smash the door
    6:08
    Okay, sorry. We will not smash the door into Ripley's. Okay, we can look at the playfield. That's fine. The cabinet is behind me. That's nice. But Oh, yeah, I noticed that, too. This is a little cheater button to start games or add credits. >> but actually you want Oh, you got it on
    6:24
    but actually you want Oh, you got it on
    6:24
    but actually you want Oh, you got it on uh rollers. Oh, look. Can see a bit of a corner of my Twilight Zone right now. No cheating. But look what we have. Fathom and Centaur have joined the queue. Again, these are Bennish's machines. Uh back in the day, Bennish had someone uh do playfield swaps on these guys. And you know, it's it's fine. It's sufficient, but they're not playing um as dialed in as they would be if they went through the Greasily Garage treatment. The Dutch treatment. Dutch is picky. And that's a good that's a compliment when it comes to like how the machine plays. >> I'm particular.
    7:07
    I'm particular.
    7:07
    I'm particular. >> Particular, there you go. You guys did
    7:10
    Particular, there you go. You guys did
    7:10
    Particular, there you go. You guys did what? The Barracora and Sea Witch for Bennish? >> And Medusa and he loves how they play,
    7:17
    And Medusa and he loves how they play,
    7:17
    And Medusa and he loves how they play, how dialed in they are. These are going to get a general touch-up shop job, replace anything, and then dial all in. Oh, cool flipper toppers. It's like uh silver with axes on them. Beheading axes. >> Yeah.
    7:35
    Yeah.
    7:35
    Yeah. What a cool game. I rarely get to play this game. It's got some cool pop bumper cap decals as well. Those are awesome. And this has uh Reese rails. Yep. And I got Reese rails for Fathom. Already installed, but yeah, Fathom Reese rails are getting installed here. Some new old stock cuz Reese is not in business anymore. Check out this cool custom shooter rod. And then yeah, so we've got a couple epic titles in the Greasily Garage here. Looking forward to playing these. Dutch has never played either. Kevin, probably not either. >> No. So, that's exciting stuff.
    8:20
    No. So, that's exciting stuff.
    8:20
    No. So, that's exciting stuff. All right, so I guess it's time to rip off the band-aid. I'll do it after. Oh, I guess we could kind of peek at the playfield. There's really nothing to see here yet, though, is there? Not much. >> just kind of get a idea of the before.
    8:33
    just kind of get a idea of the before.
    8:33
    just kind of get a idea of the before. We're lacking wire forms. Yeah, they're all over the cabinet right now. Oh, yeah. So, are they in then? All the wire forms and stuff? >> Yep, they're just underneath there.
    8:42
    Yep, they're just underneath there.
    8:42
    Yep, they're just underneath there. >> Okay, we'll uh take a look at those, but
    8:46
    Okay, we'll uh take a look at those, but
    8:46
    Okay, we'll uh take a look at those, but I do have gumballs coming. I've got a decal for this lamp, decal for the ramp, a new used clock housing coming cuz we don't need the vent holes. I've got a Thunderbird coming, which I think maybe goes in that area. There's the Thunderbird there. And you said you had an old rocket. Possibly. And an old piano. Mhm. And what else do I got coming? A cash register. Yeah. Where does that go? This is the slot machine. We don't know. I'll have to find a good spot for that. And you got Robbie as well. Oh, yeah. Robbie the Robot. He's going to go somewhere around here, I believe. >> Oh, yeah?
    9:31
    Oh, yeah?
    9:31
    Oh, yeah? All right. Yeah. So, that's what's happening with the playfield and I've got uh flipper rebuilds coming at some point. JC's going to bring them over. Uh I had them shipped to the uh Port Huron depot and he'll be picking those up soon. Oh, also got new plastic here for this guy and a new plastic for this guy. So, didn't have to buy a whole new plastic set after all. These plastics look to be in good shape. Oh, we checked this is a fake. Yeah, I was looking at Ray's and this does appear to be someone's homemade version, but We have our old one here, so You have your old one? Yeah, that plastic. Is it broken? No. Oh, maybe I'll steal that. Is it in there? Yeah, the rocket will replace the plastic. Oh, does it? We'll see. Oh, okay. Cool. All right, so the moment of truth here. Let's have a look at the Twilight Zone with the new custom decals.
    10:41
    Oh, wow. I >> [music]
    10:42
    [music]
    10:42
    [music] >> am amazed on two accounts by how cool
    10:46
    am amazed on two accounts by how cool
    10:46
    am amazed on two accounts by how cool this looks. And I mean, I was just here a week ago and the amount [music] of progress that you made on this thing is crazy. So, there's just so much to take in here. American Pinball was just purchased and they have announced that they're going to be coming out with some, you know, remaking some Bally Williams titles. And uh there's going to be like a few different [music] models. There's going to be like this sort of pro and the premium. And then there's going to be the reimagined [music] version. And that's going to be like all custom art.
    11:31
    Uh and that's going to be done by Brian Allen. So, the first [music] game that they have announced is Circus Voltaire. So, there's going to be the Circus Voltaire reimagined machine with custom art. So, I think I'm going to call this the Twilight Zone reimagined. So, one of a kind and uh >> [music]
    11:55
    [music]
    11:55
    [music] >> there will not be another one like it.
    11:58
    there will not be another one like it.
    11:58
    there will not be another one like it. Here's the original. let's have a look at them [music] side by side. Pretty >> [music]
    12:09
    [music]
    12:09
    [music] >> freaking amazing. I am excited
    12:13
    freaking amazing. I am excited
    12:13
    freaking amazing. I am excited to get this in the lineup. Dutch, walk me through everything that's been done. I don't do this stuff. Kevin, get in here. >> All right, let's see if we can uh let's
    12:22
    All right, let's see if we can uh let's
    12:22
    All right, let's see if we can uh let's see if we can tackle everything here without missing anything. Obviously, the cabinet was restored. All the bumps and bruises. It was painted black. And then, we've got the flat black powder coated coin door. We've got powder coated purply blue. What would you call this color? I think it's literally called blue purple. >> Blue purple.
    12:44
    Blue purple.
    12:44
    Blue purple. So, we got the shooter housing, lock bar, side rails, side [snorts] rails, hinges, hinges, legs, and um Yeah. The Oh, yeah, the uh speaker panel channel. And we have things down here. What do we got? Oh, right. All this Holy crap. Is this all for Twilight Zone? No. This is Night Rider stuff, the blue and the white. >> That makes sense. So, you got this piece
    13:11
    That makes sense. So, you got this piece
    13:11
    That makes sense. So, you got this piece and the custom apron cards I just got off Ben Ziff on Tuesday are already installed. >> all the
    13:16
    all the
    13:16
    all the German stickers off there. Oh, that's right. Yeah, there was some stickers on there. They came off nicely. Absolutely. Came off. Yeah, they came off. Wireforms. They're all nice. Well, it looks like uh Wireforms this piece. brand new. This is the one that throws it off the ramp. >> Oh, okay. That's the one where the
    13:34
    Oh, okay. That's the one where the
    13:35
    Oh, okay. That's the one where the magnet mod goes. Yeah. Yes. So, that is going to look incredible. And then, we've got new yellow flipper buttons. Every bolt has been polished. And I'm sure there's a Is there metal leg protectors Yep. >> [snorts]
    13:55
    [snorts]
    13:55
    [snorts] >> on there? New That is standard. That is
    13:57
    on there? New That is standard. That is
    13:57
    on there? New That is standard. That is standard. New nylon feet, new leg bolts with washers, leg levelers, and Gravely Garage seal of approval. Oh, and then of course, we've got the art blades. Matching set with the side art. Which is super cool. I love these things. I almost forgot, transparent blue shooter rod. I just happen to have that in stock and it matches perfectly. And also, there is some sandblasted and painted parts like this vent back here, receiver bar probably. Yep.
    14:48
    Here we go. Even a new sticker. I did. I had one. Very nice. Perfect. So, did I miss anything? I think we're pretty much done. I think I think I covered it all.
    14:59
    But there it is. Definitely excited to get this in the lineup. Twilight Zone reimagined. I'm thinking of calling this one the don't touch the [ __ ] door edition. What do you think? I'm just over at the garage working on Bull Fight. About to do a gameplay video. Look what I just found.
    15:24
    Quarters. This is my favorite thing about getting a new pinball machine. Look at that. One American and one Canadian. I totally missed one. Did you see that? Don't touch the door.