197X Smith Corona Coronamatic 8000 #7ELE 3050922G
Status: My Collection
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
Created: 03-27-2025 at 02:36PM
Last Edit: 03-29-2025 at 01:04AM
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Description:
Another one for some Smith Corona history. This was the peak design of the 5TE that started in 1956. Introduced in late 77, the 8000 was a 300 series office machine that was updated to the cartridge ribbon system. Another one of S-Cs hugely successful ventures to provide a budget alternative to IBM (see the attached ad).
Smith Corona spent $4.5 million and eight years in R&D on the cartridge system that came out first on the 7000 in 1973. In the 8000, 60 parts were eliminated from the 300/315 machine that used traditional ribbon spools.
The mechanism sits on a beefed up chassis that rubber isolates it from the body. The typical S-C stamped steel is replaced with a heavy cast aluminum housing and steel access panel. The machine weighs 30 pounds compared to an Electra 210 with the same basic mechanism (photo) at 20 pounds. The ribbon cover pops off vs the articulating forward setup and is so heavy it could be used as a weapon in a pinch.
They are doing everything to make it look like an office machine with the overall size and even a faux tabulator cover in the back. Sort of goofy, but Royal and Remington wrapped their standards in massively oversized bodies to make them look like office electrics. See the Empress, 440, 460 and Model 24, for examples. And the end result for this is a much quieter machine versus the portable models.
Gone are the V-belts in place of a toothed belt for the drive pulley and another for the ribbon drive system. From my experience with this sytem, these seem to hold up well unless someone was aggressive with cleaning in the past. This particular machine had never been apart so no chemical deterioration to the belts. With just a tad of tension adjustment, they are ready for years more service. See the white panels before and after UV treatment.
The key tension setting, paper release releases the line advance, and the new paper injector are the only things that won't seem familiar to anyone with some typing time on a Smith Corona electric.
Hey it is not the prettiest thing, however, here it is coming up on fifty years and can still type with the best of them. Find some carbon ribbons and you'll see.
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
Photos:
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
James Grooms's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 11430
As with many, the bug is back there somewhere due to an Underwood No. 5. My grandparents had a No 5. My parents had a yellow Royal Safari that I used to index card everything, including a beer can collection. Collection syndrome clue! A casual interest in typewriters started with a garage sale 3 bank simply because it said Underwood on it. Typewriters were found here and there , but I wasn't actively looking for them. The long dormant collecting tic was activated when my neighbors left a Remington Quiet Riter on the curb when they moved.
Typewriters are the perfect blend of using one's technical skills, history and functional purpose. My goal is type tested machines. My interests are not isolated to anyone area. For example, I am a big fan of Smith Corona electrics, mid century electrics and all things Royal.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Smith Corona Coronamatic 8000 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Smith Corona Serial Number page and the Smith Corona Coronamatic 8000 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
