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1961 Torpedo 18b Serial # 1266958 1961 Torpedo 18b typewriter, Serial # 1266958 Greg Mattesen's 1961 Torpedo 18b typewriter. 2026-03-18 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Greg Mattesen: 1961 Torpedo 18b Serial # 1266958 Torpedo 18b I picked up in July 2022. I wanted one for a while, so I paid more than I would have liked to for the condition it was in. It had melted feet and a rock-hard platen, and for a long time I resisted replacing them. But as time went on, I finally splurged on new feet and getting the platen recovered. Both repairs really transformed the typewriter, so the expense feels justified.

1961 Torpedo 18b #1266958

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Greg Mattesen (CoronaKid)
Created: 02-17-2025 at 02:53PM
Last Edit: 03-18-2026 at 11:40AM

Description Hunter 11 Photos 1 Like  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Torpedo 18b I picked up in July 2022. I wanted one for a while, so I paid more than I would have liked to for the condition it was in. It had melted feet and a rock-hard platen, and for a long time I resisted replacing them. But as time went on, I finally splurged on new feet and getting the platen recovered. Both repairs really transformed the typewriter, so the expense feels justified.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:






The original platen was rock-hard. After owning it for several years, I had the platen recovered by J.J. Short.
The original platen was rock-hard. After owning it for several years, I had the platen recovered by J.J. Short.

New platen rubber March 2026.
New platen rubber March 2026.

I lived with these collapsed feet for a few years before biting the bullet and getting new ones from eBay.
I lived with these collapsed feet for a few years before biting the bullet and getting new ones from eBay.


In-progress photo of installation of the new feet.
In-progress photo of installation of the new feet.

Although I prefer a hard case, this soft case has a fun plaid liner.
Although I prefer a hard case, this soft case has a fun plaid liner.

Hunter: Greg Mattesen (CoronaKid)

Greg Mattesen's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1462

I "accidentally" started collecting typwriters in the fall of 2020. After my daughter got one cheap at a junk shop, and hearing that she intended to use it to write some old fashioned snail-mail letters to friends, I decided to get "a" typewriter myself to do the same. The first one was a real lucky break: a pristine 1950 Smith-Corona Sterling in perfect condition. From there I got interested in other brands and in refurbishing dirty and forgotten machines. I've had 65+ typewriters at this point, passing many along to excited new owners to keep my collection hovering around 20 machines.


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Torpedo 18b on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Torpedo Serial Number page and the Torpedo 18b By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

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