Vindicators

JayHorak

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There isn't a lot of information or restoration examples of Atari's Vindicators. I was able to find what little previous information that was available to not be very helpful; so incomplete that I felt compelled to document this for future arcade operators / hobbyists.

PARTS
First, the nylon shaft bushings are available in a previous post but that link and source is no longer available. McMaster-Carr is here to stay. So here is the parts from them:
Bushing
6125k44 Nylon Shaft Grommet for 3/8" Hole Diameter
6126k45 Nylon Shaft Grommet for 7/16" Hole Diameter

I couldn't find the springs for the controllers and had to measure them and calculate the compression rating.
Springs
9435k137 302 Stainless Steel Springs 1.25" Long 0.6" OD 0.456" ID

ART
There is no art available. That changes now. You will be able purchase this from https://gameongrafix.com/ shortly. I submitted all the vector files to him returned and we successfully printed them as you can see here. That will be the CPO, side logo, side art, and tracks. The front coin area graphic is not available as mine was too destroyed (I put a clear laminate over it to preserve what was there) and its printed on a special foil. I had no appetite to attempt reproducing it. Maybe a task for another.
I had a professional spend 36 hrs creating the vector art. These are not scans because we only had pictures to work from in some places (treads). The sides were meticulously restored by printing the results and comparing each area mm by mm. After a few weeks of back and forth the entire side art is color perfect and scale perfect. The track is accurate for one side as I never seen the other; and, I assume it's just a flip. The color came from the photo, so it's going to be close--but not perfect.

A final note that has to be restated: that is not a scan. It was created in Illustrator line by line.

Vindicators_Final.jpg

TREADS
This is not the OEM treads. Funny, I am such a fan of making it a faithful restoration, but not here. All rules are made to be broken. For those of you who know the tread material I can say mine is better--much much better. I think if Atari had this available to them they would have chosen it. No it doesn't rotate--but damn it looks like it wants too. If anybody is curious I can post how I got these.

Finally, I had never played this game in my life. So after completing it the question can finally be answered--the game isn't very good. But it does look killer.
 
Looks awesome!! I have considered getting a Vindicators a few times. Never could decide if it was worth the real estate in my arcade. Maybe next to STUN runner a party favorite?

Glad to see artwork...they are always beat up in the front and control panel.
 
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Hey the gameplay is terrible. But the cabinet draws everbody in to ask questions. Its a garage queen.
 
The CPO and front panel art ARE available:

 
Your dedication to accuracy is greatly appreciated, as are your art reproduction skills.
 
Thanks. Ironically I find this to be therapy for me.
 
I like Vindicators. bravo

but what's with this age old aesthetic where collectors leave the keys in the locks?
 
Because then I don't have to find them. I can't remember the last game I restored that had its keys.
 
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