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The French Connection
In January 2006, I received an email detailing a BAL-AMi
jukebox located in Belgium, with indications that it was originally sited in Le Touquet in
France.
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A photo of the box was provided, and on
first glance it looked like it was an S100 which had been modified with the
electric-select mechanism of maybe an AMi Continental. Added to this, it had
a name plate "Century" on it located in the front bezel which is upside down
to the standard S100 models (although the same way up as the Super 40 Deluxe).
The serial number plate confirmed that, at 110 volts, it had been
specifically manufactured for a non-UK market.
Slightly puzzled by all of this, and after discussing with some BAL-AMi
contacts more knowledgeable than myself, I put this machine down as some
sort of one-off, perhaps made as a demo machine looking for opportunities in
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Only one month later, in February 2006,
I received an email from Bordeaux in France giving details of another one of
these "Century" models !!
This second example was more or less
identical to the first.
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two of these unusual and undocumented BAL-AMi machines, and maybe there
are a few more.
So what is the story behind these ? Having
contacted both Tony Holmes and Terry Lovell, it appears that Balfour had a
factory of some sort in Northern France, probably Le Touquet. This would
make sense as their other business was marine engineering, and Le Touquet
is a centre for boating activities. Terry believes
that jukeboxes were also assembled there as his father, who worked for
Balfour, travelled back and forth to France a couple of times a week.
We also know that Balfour's owner, Sam Norman,
had a house and a boat nearby, probably in Saint Malo in Brittany. So the French
connection is very strong. But why did Balfour build another unique model
just for the French market ? Why not just import the standard S100 ? |
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Moving forward to October 2007, and another site
visitor has sent me some photos of a further Century model. This one is
set for restoration, and the photos show the "before" state and the
commencement of the strip-down. This one is
located in Holland and as can be seen, it has a different colour scheme to
the earlier examples. Probably a paint job by a previous owner. |
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Above, the Century in preparation for a full restore. |
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On to December 2008, the Century model
above has had its restoration completed - here's how she looks now! |
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May 2009 revealed yet another Century model in Belgium,
once again needing a complete restoration with some key parts (e.g. the
amp) missing. Photos below. |
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September 2011 ..... restoration complete! |
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The serial number plate from the
first "Century" example shows a 110 volt design. |
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The rear of the second "Century"
model.
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A standard S100 amp fitted to
the second "Century" model. |
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