1963 Torpedo 18s #1300610

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Brad Sarno (bradsarno)
Created: 08-10-2014 at 05:54PM
Last Edit: 11-28-2021 at 01:11PM

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Description:

This Torpedo is branded as a Remington Rand product, made in West Germany. It's my understanding that this "18 S" is basically a Torpedo 18b but with a different ribbon cover and with Remington styled keys. Other than that, this thing is a Torpedo.

(edited - it appears to be a '63 not a '64)

As a typer, it really does amaze. Never have I experienced such a fast, swift, almost electrified typing action. The machine has fantastic precision all around, about as nice as an Adler or Olympia, right up there for sure.

[updated]

The ONLY issue with this thing was the loud ticking sound when the slug strikes the platen. The platen had become VERY hard and stone-like. The sound of the machine was brutal, like metal striking glass, just a harsh jab in the eardrum literally making it unusable for me. BUT, I sent the platen off to J.J. Short for some new rubber, hardness/durometer 85A. The newly covered platen came back the other day and I immediately put it back into the Torpedo. Wow, what a huge game-changer. Now this is a real, usable typewriter. The thing is still kind of a loud typer, but not at all painful. All the hard harshness is gone, the feel of the typing action is improved.

Now that this machine is like-new again with the fresh rubber, this is truly a stunner of a machine, just an amazing performer that's a joy to use. I don't know any other typewriter that feels quite like this Torpedo, so fast and almost magically self-powered. Again, that fine German build quality and engineering prowess shines through.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Hunter: Brad Sarno (bradsarno)

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I've spent my life as a mechanical and electronics tinkerer, bikes, cars, lawnmowers, appliances, cameras, audio gear, guitars, amplifiers, and pedal steel guitars. I was trained as a typist for 2 years back in the late 70's on IBM Selectric II's. At home I recall my mother having an Olympia SM3. More recently we got our daughter a typewriter for Christmas, and that somehow sparked my own personal interest in these fine and interesting machines. Now it's a habit that just won't quit. Daily searches on Craigslist, frequent trips to antique stores & malls, garage sales, etc. It's a fun and healthy addiction.