Pole Position cockpit restoration

Its kind of too late now, but I found sinking the plugs just a bit below the surface then filling the remaining void with bondo and sanding really helps hide them.
 
Its kind of too late now, but I found sinking the plugs just a bit below the surface then filling the remaining void with bondo and sanding really helps hide them.
That is exactly what I was thinking too. I've never had this problem before. Usually, I just sand flush, do a little bondo filling, prime, sand, and paint. I've done this dozens of times without this happening. It is very strange.
Do you just drill the plugs out a little with a slightly larger bit?
Right now, I have everything primed and sanded and ready for paint. I just need it to stop raining so the humidity will go down.
 
Besides it looking dirty and gross, it had the smell to match. Much of the smell I suspected was from the carpet (or what used to be carpet). But once I started disassembly, I found the source of some more nastiness.


I don't know if you spotted it from the video, But there was a menu in all that crap. I was really tempted not to touch it. But curiosity got the better of me. Turns out it is a 40 year old menu from Shakey's Pizza. I guess this game was in one of those locations. Interestingly enough, 2 of 3 locations are still in business.

View attachment 844853
There's a Shakey's down here in Garden Grove I believe. When you're done restoring it, let's bring the game there and recreate the authentic experience :)
 
I finally got tired of painting this piece. The marks that keep showing through must have something to do with the laminate the was originally on this part from the factory. I would think that a couple of coats of primer would even out any variances in the sub straight. But for some reason, it is not. I have to conclude that this part just does not want to go back in the cabinet.
So I moved on to plan "f", as in fuck it.

For part of the Toobin restoration I'm working on, I needed to buy some black laminate. Since I only needed about a 2ft x 3ft section for Toobin, I used part of this laminate to make a new coin door support piece for the Pole Position. It's very reminiscent of the original look. Thoughts?

20251021_121158b.jpg

I will get this installed tonight. Hopefully, install the coin door and take some pictures for the before and after shots on Thursday.
 
For the coin door, I did have to replace the lower door and frame. The previous owner drilled a hole through the door and into the frame. I ordered a used one from ebay to replace this. However, it also came with a stowaway. When I received the package in the mail, I took the coin door out of the box and set it down on the bubble wrap on my table. When I opened the lower door to inspect it, a huge camel spider jumped out, ran across the table, jumped on the floor and started to make a run for it. This spider was a little bigger in size than half dollar coin. Needless to say, it didn't love long. I have head on a toothpick in my front yard as warning to other spiders.


20250816_175244b.jpg 20250816_175259.jpg

20251001_082601b.jpg 20251001_082645b.jpg


20250927_112242.jpg 20251025_134206b.jpg 20251025_134329.jpg


I was also thinking about replacing the monitor with a K7000. This tube is tired and it has some screen burn. But I hooked it up to the B&K for a little clean and balance, and afterwards, it the levels look pretty darn good. So I'm leaving the original monitor in.


20250926_100855b.jpg 20250928_141717b.jpg 20251030_102529b.jpg




For those that are interested, here is an approximate cost breakdown

Cabinet $550
Sideart $247.22
CPO $59
Plexi $78.37
Chrome $31.17 *These are chrome t-molding protectors that go on the floor of the cabinet. I have not installed these yet*
Topper $128.93 Thanks @DeLuSioNaL29
T-molding $62
Paint $56.54
Epoxy $19.83
Locks $8.49
Cap Kit $14.95
Wood ~$40
Casters $28
Leg Lvlrs ~$20
Misc $50

Total $1394.50 *This is an approximation which does not include shipping of various items*

Thanks to everyone for their support.
 
Looks awesome, I am about to start the same journey, my game works perfectly with a beautiful no burn monitor but the cabinet is rough. Reading through this got me motivated
 
WOW!!! Looks like you just un-boxed it! Well done!

I never realized the topper gave you tips for each corner. Can't wait to try them.
 
Just awesome buddy. Great job.

I'd love to be able to set some high scores on this beautiful cabinet.
Thank you, so much. Anytime you want to come over, you are more than welcome. Maybe I could I try and make the bottom of your Spy Hunter leaderboard. I'll need to do some practicing 😁
 
Looks awesome, I am about to start the same journey, my game works perfectly with a beautiful no burn monitor but the cabinet is rough. Reading through this got me motivated
If you need any help or hints, just let me know. I'm more than happy to help out in any way I can.
 
Back
Top Bottom