Ever since Achille Gaggia perfected the espresso machine back in 1938, Gaggia coffee machines have had a special place in the hearts of collectors, with vintage Gaggia models in particular being much sought after.

A brief search of the internet shows the passion which coffee enthusiasts have for vintage Gaggia espresso machines. A search for "vintage Gaggia" on Google returns 125,000 entries.

The Gaggia collectors on the web are either looking for vintage Gaggia models to buy or, more often, looking for parts for old machines they've bought and are doing up - just as someone would restore a vintage car, motorbike or other valuable antique.

Gaggias prized for quality and build

Like classic cars, vintage Gaggia machines are prized for their original build quality and the fact they stand up to their modern equivalents. While many Gaggia collectors have the mechanical experience to restore something like a 1950s single-group Gaggia International, many are searching for advice.

One web blogger tells of his joy at a chance meeting with an espresso machine service engineer who has given him some pointers to restoring his vintage Gaggia. Another says that he got his fixed with the assistance of "the helpful bloke at the Plumb Centre in Gosport". Another Gaggia collector is searching for an instruction leaflet for a Baby Gaggia from the 1950s.

Vintage Gaggias in the cafe

The attraction of vintage Gaggias is not limited to amateurs, either. Cafes and coffee bars with old Gaggia machines proudly boast about it online. One shows pictures of its machine 1956 Gaggia, which the owner is about to strip, clean and reassemble ready for use with a new generation of coffee lovers.

A Devon cafè which claims to take its coffee very seriously and sources locally roasted beans is equally proud of its "vintage Gaggia lever machine". Lever machines are a far cry from modern automatic espresso machines, and demand high levels of skill and knowledge from the barista - so using a vintage Gaggia lever machine promises an exquisite espresso to satisfy the most dedicated coffee enthusiast - or Gaggia collector.

Gaggia coffee machines: available from Coffee Xclusive

Coffee Xclusive supplies a wide range of top-quality coffee machines for use in the home, the office, or for commercial purposes. We also provide coffee beans, pods and capsules along with all the accessories you need. To find out more, or to order online, just browse our website. We're always happy to answer any questions you might have - just fill in our online enquiry form on the Contact Us page.