I wouldn't be so sure of that. My wife had her Singer since hgh-school ('70s) and it looks similar to that one. See if the bottom is removable easily and check to see if the gears are some kind of bakelite material.
theres a reason behind this, by the 70's plastic was entering sewing machines, but if this unit appears to be old enough that that may not be the case. A quick check could clear that up. This model looks similar to the modell 500a we have, but maybe down the line. The addition of the winder on the flywheel would make it seem like an older model, since, as far as I know, around '62 the bobbin winder was mounted under the hood on the top, and operated on its own.
Similost said:
Ya'll are making me think I need to take some pictures of the underside of both my old singers and post them... The mechanics of them is just so cool if you like that kind of stuff.. very fine machine work...
Gonna have to beat you too it...but I may add more later, especially since these are not the best photos;
Heres the main guts of the machine, that control the needle. The 500a is a slant-needle machine, as opposed to a straight-needle. The threading diagram is on the left, your machine should have about the same layout. Just open the hatch and check it out.
A basic over-view of the somewhat similar 500a, this is an "industrial" machine, and is excellent...it has alot more functions, but that's unneeded for the basics. This model in particular has a following, and prices seem to refelect that...its a very desirable model. Thats in part due to it being the last, or one of the last all-metal machines singer ever put out. Made in the usa:
And here's an undershot...the motor is on the bottom right. Those gears and overall "drivetrain" are all metal, and quite nice...it is very heavy. Just looking at it now, it looks like theres a marking that this was serviced back in '76:scratch2:
We have a treddle machine upstairs...its beautiful...but a completely different animal.
Even if that singer isnt all-metal, its probably still a very good machine. Though, as mentioned I doubt its bakelite...more than likely its just dense plastic. The viking is a good machine, as well as newer, which in theory should have less issues in the long run...
in theory, as stated both are good machines.