Is it unrealistic to think I can find a mint/nm Pole Position 1?

Mango7

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Is it unrealistic to think I can find a mint/nm Pole Position 1?

Hi guys. Would this be naive to think I can find a mint-ish pp1, in original unrefurbed condition(outside of a monitor recapping)? And, yes, I would be willing to pay an amount commensurate to the game's condition. :) Thanks.
 
I think you can physically. I have seen really nice ones. Good chance it wont work tho. From what i understand the boards barely worked when new lol.
 
the prob is most of those went to work right away. Youll be hard pressed to find a dud out of the crate that an op never got around to fixing, however in a few rare cases it has happened. Anything is possible i guess.
 
Cadillacman was just saying that if you were looking for some sort of truly mint, unused specimen that is just languishing in a climate controlled warehouse that is pretty unlikely.

Mint is a very strong word. It implies virtually perfect as if right out of the box. I'd say no, that is pretty unlikely. But finding one that rates a solid 8-9 on a scale of 1-10 is not at all unrealistic. Atari produced more PP1 machines than probably any other game (something like 15,000?).

Like everyone else said though whatever you find probably won't work. Board issues are common.
 
Although one positive is that the OP will have a ton to choose from. From my perspective it seems like they made a fuck ton of this machine.

This machine will definitely come back in style when that multi-board hits.
 
This machine will definitely come back in style when that multi-board hits.

yes but I wonder if cabs will be easy to find with how many have been parted and smashed due to people not wanting to deal with the problematic boards? I mean this as a legitimate question not an anti parting rant. I seriously think I know more people that have destroyed PP cabs than any other single title I can think of.
 
yes but I wonder if cabs will be easy to find with how many have been parted and smashed due to people not wanting to deal with the problematic boards? I mean this as a legitimate question not an anti parting rant. I seriously think I know more people that have destroyed PP cabs than any other single title I can think of.

True. I know my PP is a wreck cosmetically. Part of my perception is seeing how someone is always selling parts for this machine...which lends more to your parted out theory.
 
I picked one up a few weeks ago that was super nice. The wood all looked new except for the area around the rear door lock was chipped up. The art only had a few tears on the top left side and it had lock bars. The cab itself was rock solid, probably the nicest PP UR (structurally) I have seen.

Since I already have a super clean cockpit I just bought it for parts. Bought it sight unseen and had it delivered so I didn't know how nice it was just that it worked. Luckily my friend Todd needed a nice cab for his project so it all worked out and will still live plus now my CP works too! :) Now I can finally put my nice repro topper on it.

So they are out there but expect a bruise or two, pretty much impossible to find a 'mint original' but you never know. I too am curious how many really are out there in decent shape. They do seem to be parted quite often and there are a lot of rough ones out there.
 
I know an ex atari employee who had a home owned one. I think it was converted to PPII, but it was pretty much mint.. Way back when we bought some of his games, he wanted like $700 for it.. It might still be there.. I think we also left an area 51 and an atari import licensed golf game in a dragons lair style cabinet(I want to say crowns golf).
 
Pole position was so poorly designed, you will need to "mod" it if you want a working one to stay working. I have copies of Atari confidential memo's concerning Pole Position failures that were on the web a while back. These machines had a failure rate right off the production line (new machines were failing within 5hrs of operation due to heat).

So, my suggestions if you want to keep a working machine.
-Install a fan if there isn't one, later cabinets have fans already.
-Remove the high score battery as they leak.
-Install a NVRam chip in the High Score position to save your scores.
-Install a switcher (20A 5v is a good thing). Use Star tech journal mod.
-install a wire harness to the test points for power. The edge connector is frequently burnt.

My opinion anyway. PP is a fun machine!
 
Thanks, Mr Bill. I'm sure he converted it!

Kspliff- I don't think I'll have impotency anytime soon if Im like my dad!

Thank u Mac..will make these mods should I find a nice enough game (id really be happy with a 9, btw)

Thanks again...
Kurt
 
Yeah, that's what I want to know. Can anyone confirm this? A link would be sufficient- if there is one.
PP Multi: http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=209988

I was able to find/assemble a fairly nice PPII. They are out there.

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