Rare Factory Colour Olympia Splendid 33 / SF Ultra-Portable Typewriter (New Platen Fitted)

Meet the Olympia Splendid 33 / SF—a robust West German engineering classic, professionally overhauled in our UK workshop and glowing in its exceptionally rare original factory finish.

Widely regarded by restorers as one of the finest ultra-portable typewriters ever manufactured, the Olympia Splendid SF combines slim travel convenience with the heavy-duty mechanical reliability for which West German Olympia machines are world-famous. Fully restored by BBC’s The Repair Shop featured experts Walid Saad & Joujou, this typewriter isn't just built to look impressive—it is calibrated to deliver thousands of fluid manuscript pages.

Mechanical Condition & £150 New Platen Investment

• Brand-New Platen Roller Fitted (£150 Value): We personally invested in fitting a freshly vulcanized rubber platen to this machine. This provides superior key-strike cushioning, whisper-quiet typing acoustics, and sharp ink imprints that will last for decades.

• 100% Workshop Restored: Deep-flushed, chemically degreased, segment-aligned, and mechanically tuned for smooth, fluid key movement.

• Fresh Ribbon Installed: Fitted with a brand-new Purple 10-meter fabric typewriter ribbon on standard spools, ready to write straight out of the box.

Cosmetic Condition & Included Accessories

• Rare Factory Finish: Features its stunning, original factory paint colour. A highly sought-after cosmetic variation for Olympia collectors.

• Chassis Condition: Cleaned thoroughly inside and out. The outer frame remains in very good condition with light, authentic age marks primarily on the left side of the lid (please inspect high-resolution photos).

• Keycaps: Off-white keytops are clean, bright, and offer a crisp visual contrast against the colourful body frame.

• Original Carrying Case & Manual: Includes its original zip-around carrying case (good vintage condition with minor interior pocket wear )  along with the original instruction manual.

Keyboard Layout & Technical Specifications

• Brand & Model: Olympia Splendid 33 / SF (Ultra-Portable)

• Manufacturer: Olympia Werke AG (Wilhelmshaven, West Germany)

• Keyboard Layout:  QWERTY Keyboard (Ideal for English prose, scripts, and journaling) with EU Accents. 

• Typeface / Font: Classic PICA Typeface (10 characters per inch / 10 CPI)

• Platen: Brand-New Vulcanized Rubber Roller

• Ribbon Compatibility: Standard 1/2-inch fabric ribbon (Group 1 / GR1 spool fitment)

Quick Specifications Overview

Worldwide Express Shipping & Safe Delivery

We safely dispatch our restored typewriters globally using our proprietary shock-absorbing transit packaging:

• United Kingdom (UK): Free tracked domestic courier delivery.

• United States (USA): Free door-to-door express air freight with all customs duties prepaid in the US.

• Australia & New Zealand: Prompt international air shipping.

• European Union (EU): Fast, duty-conscious courier delivery across all EU member states.

• Expert Support: Backed by full pre- and post-sale technical support directly from Walid & Joujou.

📖 Have questions about Olympia typewriters or maintaining ultra-portables? Read our complete guide: Typewriter FAQ: The Ultimate 100 Questions Answered