Timeline of the La Pavoni Machines

The La Pavoni has a long and storied history of making great espresso. The company themselves have created a book that details their history. It can be downloaded, for free, here:

https://www.lapavoni.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/LP_MONOGRAFIA.pdf

Below is a list of many of the changes the Europiccola and Professional models have undergone over the years. It can be useful in trying to date your machine, particularly if you have purchased one second hand.

Much of the information has been compiled from the excellent Francessco Ceccarelli’s Website. It’s well worth a look:

http://www.francescoceccarelli.eu/lapavoni_eng.htm

Major Changes for the Europiccola:

  • Years 61-74 all chromed brass boilers and groups. Painted aluminum bases.
  • 1961 no boiler fill sight glass. No grid.
  • 1962 sight glass with smooth faced upper bolt . No grid.
  • 1963/64 site glass but no removable bolt*. No grid. (1964 cusp year as some units came with aluminum grid but no site glass removable screw)
  • 1964-67 aluminum grid as standard with square holes.
  • 1968 cusp year may or may not have retained the aluminum grid.
  • 1968 also the first year for the removable site glass bolt*.
  • 1970 onward introduced the removable group screen**.
  • 1973 cusp year as the switch may be either the 2 way hi/low toggle or the 3 way lo/off/hi rocker with light. Aluminium or steel base.
  • 1974 cusp year aluminium or steel base. Came with the 3 way rocker switch.
  • Early production were 1st gen. Later production were 2nd gen groups.
  • The 1975 onwards models are not longer first generation water heated groups but become steam driven 2nd generation groups. Steel bases.

* Site glass removable bolt makes for easier cleaning and replacing of site glass as well as allowing for the addition of a pressure gauge.

** Removable dispersion screen allows piston to be withdrawn without removing the cylinder for cleaning and seals / gasket replacements.

Models:

  • 1905: La Pavoni founded
  • 1961: first Europiccola
  • 1976: first Professional with pressurestat
  • 1991: Euro pressurestat added
  • 2001: Millennium introduced (both Euro & Pro)

Grouphead Heating:

In addition, the grouphead was first water-heated, then steam-heated, and finally reverted back to water-heated. This is based on the shape of the groups.

  • EUROPICCOLA:
  • Gen 1 – 1961-1974: water-heated
  • Gen 2 – 1975-2001: steam-heated
  • Gen 3 – 2001-present: water-heated
  • PROFESSIONAL:
  • Gen 1 – 1976-2001: steam-heated
  • Gen 2 – 2001-present: water-heated

Pressure Stat:

  • 1976: Professional (introduced with new model)
  • 1991: Europiccola (added)

Portafilter Handle:

  • Older models: M10x1.5 thread (shorter handle)
  • 1993 and after: M12x1.75 thread (longer handle)

 

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