My 401 isn't as old as your machines but I ran into the host of the estate sale where I purchased it. She told me who the owner was and some of the homes she decorated with her designs. I may not have been able to speak with her but the machine was given to her when she started really getting into design and needed a machine that would be able to do delicate drapes and dressed to upholstering furniture and bedding. My 401 is still going strong. I don't make her work as hard, I'm not that good. But I feel fortunate to be able to know some of the history of my machine and the work she has done. I have seen up close the work she has performed. DH is very impressed. He grew up using one just like her. Only theirs was not the desk cabinet. Love my Slant!