Good Morning,
This post is to share my experiences and research on a frequently discussed topic: Is this a GC1 or 2?
I am not a mechanic, just a Gold crown fan and everything below is my opinion. My opinion was formed based on documentation from Brunswick as well as hands on inspection of 4 unmolested GC1 tables and 1 unmolested GC2 table.
2. GC1 was around for about 13 years 61-74 and had a number of functional improvements through that time. I am separating those changes in “early GC1 features” and “late GC1 features”. When the late gc1 features appeared, people began referring to these as GC2 tables. 40 years of repeating these statements, turned them into “facts”. As an example, I recall as a kid in the pool hall hearing “if the feet adjust it’s a GC2”.
3. GC2 were only around for a couple years 74-76 and not nearly as popular. I believe they were identical to late GC1 with the exception of a couple cosmetic changes I’ll cover later.
2. If the table has been repainted and so forth, I believe the only way to tell is the ball box and feet. On a GC2 they are Bronze. (see image)
2. Plastic Nameplate
3. Long rail extrusion
4. Figure 8 nut plate
2. Metal Nameplate
3. Short rail extrusions
4. Floating nutplate
These features appeared during the span of the GC1 table, so a table may have some of the early and late features.
2. Floating nutplate
3. Short extrusion
4. Metal nameplate
Hope everyone has a great day,
Ian
This post is to share my experiences and research on a frequently discussed topic: Is this a GC1 or 2?
I am not a mechanic, just a Gold crown fan and everything below is my opinion. My opinion was formed based on documentation from Brunswick as well as hands on inspection of 4 unmolested GC1 tables and 1 unmolested GC2 table.
Why the confusion?
1. Brunswick documentation is limited. The comparison sheet is helpful but doesn’t show all the features2. GC1 was around for about 13 years 61-74 and had a number of functional improvements through that time. I am separating those changes in “early GC1 features” and “late GC1 features”. When the late gc1 features appeared, people began referring to these as GC2 tables. 40 years of repeating these statements, turned them into “facts”. As an example, I recall as a kid in the pool hall hearing “if the feet adjust it’s a GC2”.
3. GC2 were only around for a couple years 74-76 and not nearly as popular. I believe they were identical to late GC1 with the exception of a couple cosmetic changes I’ll cover later.
How can I tell if I have a GC1 or a GC2?
1. If the table is unmolested and hasn’t been painted, it will have a decal on the stretcher. If it doesn’t have a GC2 decal, IT’S A GC1!! (see image)2. If the table has been repainted and so forth, I believe the only way to tell is the ball box and feet. On a GC2 they are Bronze. (see image)
Early GC1 - Features
1. Non-adjustable feet2. Plastic Nameplate
3. Long rail extrusion
4. Figure 8 nut plate
Late GC1 – Features
1. Adjustable feet2. Metal Nameplate
3. Short rail extrusions
4. Floating nutplate
These features appeared during the span of the GC1 table, so a table may have some of the early and late features.
GC2 - Features
1. Adjustable feet2. Floating nutplate
3. Short extrusion
4. Metal nameplate
In summary,
I believe many years repeating information has turned assumptions into facts. The GC1 had a handful of feature changes that led to this confusion. The GC2 was only around for a couple years after the pool boom died. It is rare to see a real GC2. I would guess 95% of tables posted are GC1. If it doesn’t have a GC2 decal, Bronze ballbox and Feet, it’s a GC1!!Hope everyone has a great day,
Ian
besides cosmetics of course!
