Necchi Silvia 586 Maximatic

I've been interested in Necchi machines for a few years and until now have avoided the very modern designs of the Mirella, Silvia, and Lydia machines.  They're extremely beautiful: curved, simple, elegant, ergonomically wonderful, and very Italian.  But I've read so many terrible things about the Lydia models that I wrongly assumed that Necchi's last truly Italian gasp was really more like a death-sigh.

I was wrong.  I saw an ad on CL for a Silvia Maximatic (Silvia came in three versions: 582 Fleximatic, 584 Multimatic, and 586 Maximatic, the 586 being the higher end, full-featured model) and although I generally avoid ads w/out a stated price but merely "Make me an offer!" because these sellers are difficult, ignorant, and want the most money possible (ask me how I know), I went ahead an contacted him.  He immediately accepted my $40 offer, surprisingly enough.  (This machine was not a must-have so I aimed low.)

The Maximatic name evokes a replicant or perhaps a feminine hygiene vending machine.  Its curvaceous body suggests plastic but it's a splatter-finished aluminum and surprisingly sturdy.  The paint looks great with only a few very small nicks that you'd have to want to find.  The knobs and levers all turn with a quality feel and the bed extension pulls off and pushes on with a good 'Snap!' similar to an all-metal Kenmore convertible from the same era. 

The bobbin winder is similar to those found on Viking machines: always engaged (a feature I don't like) but disengages the clutch automatically when a bobbin is inserted on the lever-bearing post, thus making the Maxi an automatic of sorts.  It works quite well. 

The built-in needle threader also works well not to mention the easy threading itself.  Sewing, I have now experienced these machines' touchy tension that require a bit of finicky fiddling.  I've only owned the machine a few hours and so this will take some getting used to but adjusting the lower thread tension is not Kenmore-easy.  

There are two speeds via an interlock switch: Max, Off, Min.  Max is very fast -- much faster than I expected.  I would like to do a SPM count as well as an RPM count on the motor itself (the two numbers aren't always the same, though they often are).  The pedal is very responsive.

Thus far, there's not much to criticize here.  The Silvia is certainly not a common machine in the US and I am surprised I found one locally.  And of the colors offered, this would have been my first choice as would the Maximatic version.  Another Necchi for the shrine, this one is quite different than the Supernovas, etc. and I like it very much.