Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Necchia Supernova Automatica C


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Description: 
This is a mid-to-late 1950’s Necchia Supernova Automatica C …a portable freearm version of the Supernova. From what I’ve been able to glean online, this wasn’t one of the models that was commonly imported to the US during the period.

I acquired this quite recently (last weekend, actually) at a popular (and long-running: I recall going there several times in the 1970’s) local flea market in the Sacramento area, called Denio’s Farmers Market (as the name implies, you can also buy freshly grown local produce there).

I certainly didn’t mean to purchase a 30+ pounds sewing machine that day: it was already very hot (close to 100°F by 11:30AM), and it was a long walk back to the car. But I kneeled down to examine the machine out of curiousity, and the seller — clearly desperate to move the thing — said “I’ll take $5 for it; it’s been in storage for a long time. It belonged to my aunt. And it works!”

I said “Hmpf” or something to that effect, and thought about it for, oh, about half a minute (it was very dirty, and rather scruffy). I got up to leave, pointing out that it was missing the shuttle (which cursory inspection later turned out to be incorrect, as it was only missing the easily replaceable Type 15 bobbin case), and smiled at my wife (who looked obviously relieved that we weren’t going home with the thing) …whereupon the seller (quite apparently not relishing returning home with it either) said “How ‘bout two bucks?”.

“Two dollars ...two dollars?” I incredulously repeated twice, to which he (rather smugly — as I later reflected upon — knowing that he'd hooked me thoroughly …and to my wife’s initial chagrin: tho’ to her credit she did come ‘round after I’d cleaned it up) affirmed with a nod and a “Yep.”

Done! Totally and mercilessly out-manuevered! And so I reached reluctantly into the depths of my cargo-shorts’ pocket for my crazy money.

And …it was a long hot slog back to the car.

But the result, after a few hours of cleaning and freshly oiling it, speaks for itself. It sews very nicely indeed, making easy — and silent — work of the 8 layers of heavy denim that I tested it on. And I’m already making plans to sew some canvas-and-leather touring bags for our vintage English bicycles, as soon as I acquire a roller foot.