What Makes a Singer 503 "Special" Special
 

I recently got a Singer 503A in very nice shape. I've gotten it cleaned up and it's sewing very nicely. What's got me curious is that the manual came with it and on the cover it is called a "503 Special". The plate on the machine says 503A. Anyone know what the "Special" means?

I think it was just marketing. The Singers used to cost a lot compared to the typical family's income. The 503 is a stripped-down version of the 500, and you can incrementally upgrade it to the same capabilities by buying cams. So, I think "Special" was just marketing spin to make a less-featured machine sound more attractive.

Kind of like Ford used to sell a very plain stripped down pickup as the "Custom." Sounds better than "De-contented." Or "Economy Model." lol

I've owned a 503A Slant-O-Matic Special since 1964. I absolutely love this machine. I do piecing on this machine and have added many cams in the last year; but honestly have not tried any of them. It was a cheap purchase on Ebay. The only thing that had to be addressed over the several years of ownership is the bobbin winder tire rotted away and I purchased a replacement. The replacement was slightly larger so I had to make an adjustment. The other thing was the stop motion wheel would not disengage the needle bar so after several years of "I've gotta fix this" my DH got the two wheels apart and I fixed it.

I tried, but couldn't get the cabinet into my little car, so ended up just taking just the head. Too bad, the cabinet was in good shape and very well made.

If they'll let you come back for the cabinet, it's worth grabbing. Most, if not all, of the Singer cabinets I've come across do come apart with a simple multi screwdriver (I always take a multi, because I've found phillips, robertsons and blades on the ones I've grabbed.) At the very least, the 4 legs come off, or if it's a bank of drawers, the drawers separate from the rest.

You know, I thought of that about a day too late. I didn't even look to see what it would take to get the legs off when I was there because I was anxious to get on the road. Afterwards, I thought about how well the cabinet was made, what nice condition it was in and how easily the machine came out. Obviously, well put together. Good idea, I'll try contacting them and try to grab it if they still have it. Thanks.

Any time, I hope you get it,... let's see a pic if you do. :)

I have have a 403 and a 503 - not much difference between them but the exterior. But the difference from a 401 or a 500 - the 403 and 503 are easier to use and maintain. I think they have better stitch width control for the disks. The 403 is my machine of choice but a 503 would be fine, too, if that was what I had run across first.