Torchy

Torchy, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1966, represents a classic example of mid-1960s electro-mechanical pinball design. The machine's theme and artwork featured a torch or flame motif, which was typical of the era's tendency toward simple but bold artistic concepts.

The gameplay layout followed Gottlieb's proven format of the period, likely featuring four or five pop bumpers, several stand-up targets, and two to three flippers. As an electro-mechanical machine, it utilized relay-based scoring and chime units to create the distinctive sounds that characterized pinball machines of this era. The playfield would have been illuminated by standard incandescent bulbs, creating the warm glow that collectors particularly appreciate about machines from this period.

While not one of Gottlieb's most famous titles, Torchy represents an important period in pinball history when manufacturers were refining their electro-mechanical engineering and standardizing many of the features that would become pinball staples. The machine's release came during a time when pinball was still banned in many major U.S. cities, including New York City, yet continued to thrive in locations where it was legal.

Production numbers for Torchy are not widely documented, but like many Gottlieb machines of this era, it was likely manufactured in quantities of several thousand units. Today, surviving examples of Torchy are sought after by collectors who appreciate its classic 1960s styling and purely electro-mechanical operation.