manicmike

I think that this machine would likely be pretty good. I have had several sewing machines (all Singer clones) made in Taiwan in the late '60s and all were good machines. Chromed, quiet and sewed really well.
Wouldn't pay that much for one (never paid more than $8 for them), but $250 for a brand new all metal sewing machine is probably a good deal if there weren't so many old ones out there.
Hmm... wonder what I would pay for a 50 year old 222k still in its box.

EDIT: Even though the manual might be written in 1973, I think the machine might be newer: Grant was quite correct - Barcodes weren't around until 26th June 1974 and weren't common until 1980 (love your work, wikipedia)