Mame conversion of a Pole Position cabinet

[mappler]

I have acquired a non-working Pole Postion cabinet that I am planning to use for a MAME conversion.  I would very much like like to keep the existing driving controls intact, but find some way to add a more traditional control field above them to play non-driving games.  I've searched around looking for anyone who has already done this, but have only found mods that removed the existing steering wheel and added a new control panel.  Is anyone aware of any designs that have done what I am looking for?

Thank you in advance,
 M

[yotsuya]

Just me thinking out loud, but the wheel takes up so much real estate that I think it would probably feel awkward reaching over them to play games. I say you should try and see if you could trade that PP for a more traditional cabinet. Just my two cents. 

[Ken Layton]

This guy did one:

[mappler]

Yeah, I saw that video.  He left it as a driving game only MAME machine though.  He didn't add additional controls.

[compute]

I think some engineering is in order.  Why not make the wheel removable and put an aircraft carrier on the front?  Or switchable panels?  Why not have one or the other pull down?  heck, you could have the wheel flip up from a recessed position.  It'll look goofy to a PP purist, but it'll work.

[mytymaus007]

im all for hot swap panels!

[mappler]

I think some engineering is in order.  Why not make the wheel removable and put an aircraft carrier on the front?  Or switchable panels?  Why not have one or the other pull down?  heck, you could have the wheel flip up from a recessed position.  It'll look goofy to a PP purist, but it'll work.

I like the "flip up" idea.  I did a little tinkering and measuring and it looks like that would work. 
I think I can fit a stack (from bottom to top) of a keyboard tray, then the steering wheel/gear shifter mechanism (flipped down flat), and then a control panel with joysticks/buttons, etc.  The top panel would be removable and the wheel/gear shifter can flip up. 

I think I'll mock something up and see if it will work the way I am thinking.  I am absolutely thrilled about getting this Pole Position cabinet.  I know a lot of people would not consider this cabinet "ideal" for a MAME conversion, but for me, it brings back a lot of memories.  I put a lot of quarters in PP and PP2.   The cabinet artwork is just awesome.   

 -Matt

[mytymaus007]

Y not make it a driving cab and get another for everything else

[mappler]

Only room for one cabinet..

[Malenko]

Only room for one cabinet..

I have a PP cab, it'd be terrible for anything other than a driving machine without a buncha work to the CP area. (cept maybe a shooting cab)

[TGov]

I just picked up a PP cab and I think my brother is going to MAME it.  There is a ton of room for CP controls and also room for a 27" CRT in there.   Should be a pretty good MAME cab.

[Malenko]

I just picked up a PP cab and I think my brother is going to MAME it.  There is a ton of room for CP controls and also room for a 27" CRT in there.   Should be a pretty good MAME cab.

theres JUUUUUUUST enough room for a 27"

[ChadTower]

Only room for one cabinet..

I have a PP cab, it'd be terrible for anything other than a driving machine without a buncha work to the CP area. (cept maybe a shooting cab)

I have one too.  It only makes a good MAME cab if you remove the wheel entirely.  That wheel is way too big to share the CP with anything else.  With no wheel you could make a decent mame cab out of it so long long as you don't stick 500 buttons on it.

[cw]

I have a pp that needs a home here in Austin Tx... not a bad looking shell... and it solid.

[paigeoliver]

Have one available in St. Louis as well.

I have a pp that needs a home here in Austin Tx... not a bad looking shell... and it solid.

[TGov]

Only room for one cabinet..

I have a PP cab, it'd be terrible for anything other than a driving machine without a buncha work to the CP area. (cept maybe a shooting cab)

I have one too.  It only makes a good MAME cab if you remove the wheel entirely.  That wheel is way too big to share the CP with anything else.  With no wheel you could make a decent mame cab out of it so long long as you don't stick 500 buttons on it.

Ya we are not going to use the wheel on it, but he is keeping the pedal I think to use with a spinner for the few racing games he will want to play.  If he doesn't use it I will in my cab. 

[TGov]

I just picked up a PP cab and I think my brother is going to MAME it.  There is a ton of room for CP controls and also room for a 27" CRT in there.   Should be a pretty good MAME cab.

theres JUUUUUUUST enough room for a 27"

Was that a TV or an Arcade monitor?

[willybeamish]

Ive got a PP cab myself but im making it a MAME only cab. I do have the original pedal but I dont think ill be using it. Good luck