Blast off for the moon — Williams’ 1967 Apollo is an electromechanical single-player that catches the soaring optimism of the Space Age, designed by the veteran Norm Clark with art by Art Stenholm. With reel scoring, a confirmed run of 3,100, and a charming bagatelle feature built into the backglass, it’s a handsome mid-’60s woodrail machine that captures the era’s fascination with space exploration just as the real-life race to the moon was reaching its climax.
The layout is a busy, engaging spread for its time: two flippers, four pop bumpers, a passive bumper, a pair of slingshots, a generous eleven rollover buttons, seven standup targets, and a right-outlane ball return gate. That’s a wealth of scoring opportunities — all those rollover buttons and standups give a player plenty to work through, while the bumpers keep the ball lively up top. The bagatelle in the backglass is a delightful period touch, a little game-within-the-game that harks back to pinball’s earliest ancestors. It’s a clean, feature-rich design that rewards active, engaged play.
Apollo is a fine example of Norm Clark’s dependable craft and Williams’ mid-’60s design sensibility, pairing the thrilling theme of space exploration with a satisfying, target-rich playfield. The Space Age was pure aspirational excitement, and this machine bottles that forward-looking spirit beautifully. For the collector who loves the golden age of EM pinball and the optimism of its era, it’s a rewarding find. Work those eleven rollovers and seven standups, ride the bumpers, and reach for the stars. Some machines capture the spirit of their moment, and this one launches you straight into the dream of the final frontier. To the moon and beyond.