I'm looking for a 201 and have seen them from a wide spread of years. Anythoughts on whether there were good/bad periods for these machines? And what should I be checking when I consider buying one (apart from making sure that the electrics are safe - thought of that one!)

I'm not sure that I have ever read of a period when they were not "good". Whenever I see one on craigslist, I email the owner and ask for the serial number if it looks interesting. I haven't found the perfect one yet. I fix and rejuvenate older/vintage machines, but because I don't particularly need another machine, I haven't purchased one yet. I may never, but I do know that most I have seen out there at vintage and made between 1935-1950.

You should join the vintage area and ask the people there. They are so helpful.... Go to the home page..scroll down to the vintage area and subscribe...

I've worked out that the one I'm currently looking at is a 201-3, which I think makes it after 1950? I asked because there was also one of the 1960s brown ones, and I was wondering if the quality changed along with the colour. I'll pop along to the vintage group..

I have a 201-2 Centenial with the potted motor. "Scarlet" sews like a dream. I can just glide through a whole afternoon of piecing with her. Her stitch is perfect and she is so quiet. I can use her at night and not wake up anyone in the house.