Williams Cabinet Identification

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Hey everyone,
I recently picked up a cabinet that immediately made me think, "Hey, that looks like a Joust cabinet!" — and it definitely fits the description in many ways. However, the gentleman I purchased it from told me it was one of two custom cabinets made like this, originally shipped out of California.

I'm trying to determine whether the shell itself is still an original Williams cabinet, even if some of the internals have been replaced or reproduced. My goal is to restore it to a proper Joust, regardless — but if the shell is authentic, I'd love to go the extra mile and stencil the original sideart to preserve its integrity.

A few observations that lead me to believe it might be legit:

The shape closely matches known Joust/Multi-Williams cabinets.

There are some old stickers still inside the coin door area. One says Midway so I wasn't sure if it was original.

A serial number is carved into the top left of the cabinet's back panel.

There's a factory-style hole at the top where the original power switch would have been.


My theory is that this started life as an original Williams cabinet and was later converted into a custom multicade. It seems unlikely someone would go through the trouble of adding a period-accurate Williams serial number in the correct spot for only two "custom" units. And if someone had faked it, you'd expect them to emphasize its authenticity during the sale — but the seller made no effort to do that at all.

I'd really appreciate any insight or feedback from folks more familiar with Williams builds. Does this sound like it could be authentic to you?
 

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Just for clarification, the serial number appears to be carved into the cabinet with factory precision. The artist just painted over the letters/numbers in silver.
 
Looks well made but not a Joust/Moon Patrol/Bubbles/Robotron....the speaker grill, coin door, missing lower coin vault and backdoor handles all don't match Williams games from the era. Plus, the internal coin "box", internal bracing and monitor shelve are incorrect but those items could be tweaked easier during a restoration.
 
This cabinet was either made by someone in their garage with some skill or was made in a small shop. The coin door model number sticker indicates the door was ripped off of a Killer instinct 2 cabinet.
 
This is interesting: The Model Number (40064) according to my documentation is: Killer Instinct 2 (1996). It's very possible this was a prototype/hand built unit. Is the overall width of the cabinet 26"? The profile is Joust, but not of the hallmark features aren't there: lower coin vault, mesh speaker grill, rear vent screens, etc.

I don't know if this game (Killer Instinct 2) was sold as a 'Kit' where the sticker could have been put on any cabinet.

~Brad

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This is interesting: The Model Number (40064) according to my documentation is: Killer Instinct 2 (1996). It's very possible this was a prototype/hand built unit. Is the overall width of the cabinet 26"? The profile is Joust, but not of the hallmark features aren't there: lower coin vault, mesh speaker grill, rear vent screens, etc.

I don't know if this game (Killer Instinct 2) was sold as a 'Kit' where the sticker could have been put on any cabinet.

~Brad

View attachment 834901

These are definitely not a prototype cabinet. None of the construction inside of these cabinets has any relation to how Williams constructed their cabinets. I mentioned the Killer Instinct coin door and its likely someone simply found one and grafted it onto this new cabinet.
 
These are definitely not a prototype cabinet. None of the construction inside of these cabinets has any relation to how Williams constructed their cabinets. I mentioned the Killer Instinct coin door and its likely someone simply found one and grafted it onto this new cabinet.
I agree with Don. I have 2 Williams games (Stargate and Robotron 2084) and the back door and inside cabinet areas don't match either of those. Williams was surprisingly consistent (why mess with success) with their internal structures, even if the external shape changed.
 
I agree with Don. I have 2 Williams games (Stargate and Robotron 2084) and the back door and inside cabinet areas don't match either of those. Williams was surprisingly consistent (why mess with success) with their internal structures, even if the external shape changed.

Right. It would have a 2 piece rear door, with the hinged bottom half, if it were a Williams.
 
I saw the thread title and was very excited for a moment there that someone might have found some esoteric Williams cab.

I agree with others though. This is a very nice home or custom build. Not midway, not Williams. Not a proto. Just using some parts from midway cabs. That speaker vent is midway too.
 
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