Converting a Tempest cabinet into a driving game

[merdman]

Hello, I want to convert my Tempest cabinet into a driving game. The style of the cabinet seems like it would fit this type of game. I hear a lot of bad things about converting Tempest cabinets. The cabinet was half converted when I bought it at a second-hand store. So, it shoulded be so bad, should it?

Anyways, I was thinking of an old driving game like RoadBlaster, Hangon, or something of the sort. What do you guys think about this idea? I want constructive input because I'm always open for ideas/inspiration.

[KenToad]

Ummm, yeah, I guess a lot of guys here would trade you a converted driving cab for an original Tempest.  Got any pics?

*Edit* I'm not interested, just want to see what it looks like.

[gnateye]

i'll second that vote, dont ruin it with conversion. sell it and buy a better more suited cab for your needs

[More Cowbell]

Please don't kill Tempest. 

[Jeff AMN]

I want a Tempest soooo bad. Think of the unfortunate sad suckers like me.

[RayB]

Merdman, don't live up to your name.

Is the Tempest working? Is th eside-art intact? Does it have the vector monitor?

[merdman]

The Tempest cabinet I got from a second hand store had been half converted. Meaning, only the side art and the cabinet itself resembled Tempest. No original Atari hardware NONE! The side art had three huge gashed in one side and half the bottom crumbled or bubbled up on the other. So I used paint & varnish remover on the art. The side art is nothing more then a pile of goop now. I didn't think it would be worth saving anyways. But I did get the cabinet sanded afterwards with 50 grit. Next I will go back over it with 80, 100, 320 and finally 800 grit. I'm completely defacing the entire cabinet, filling/fixing holes and repainting it. Pretty much, a refurbish minus the Tempest side art. I'm sorry if what I said offends any of you. I know how you probably feel about a classic being destroyed, but I assure you, this classic was already destroyed before I got a hold of it. It did come another game in it; Desert Assault.

When I look at the Tempest cabinet I get stupped because of the weird design. So a driving game is what I feel would be the best choice to covert it to....

[KenToad]

Well, most of the wise folks around here will just look at your title and scoff.  Also, if you're going to refurb the cab anyway, why not make it for spinner games and get some new tempest sideart?  There are awesome spinners on the market right now and you could probably find a new CPO or have one fabricated for you.  And, you could play driving games on it, could even get a mini racer steering wheel attachment for a Turbo Twist 2 from Groovy Game Gear. 

Just a thought ... I think I understand your issues with the cab as it is.  And I still would like to see some pics.   

[merdman]

Clarification: merdman = first initial 'M' & last name 'Erdman'. I don't have a website or any other  online photo album, so I can't get show any pictures. Plus, I think my digital camera is busted.

Update: I've completely removed the side art and anded the sides. I've also sanded the melamine. I've also used Elmer's Carpenter wood filler to fill in screw holes and other scratched and gashes. As I type this, the cabinet is waiting outside for me and I'm waiting for the wood filler to dry and harden.

Off Topic: The guy I bought Rygar from is going to give me (I think) and Asteroids & Asteroids Deluxe cabinet. They are both in semi-decent shape from what I was told. Cool huh? I still need to refurbish Track & Field.

P.S. Rygar is hard...

[Ninten-doh]

You should ask member "bdsjake" here on BYOAC about making a cab like this. He was recently selling the one he made based on a Tempest design...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=57536.0

 

[Kilroy01]

You should ask member "bdsjake" here on BYOAC about making a cab like this. He was recently selling the one he made based on a Tempest design...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=57536.0

 

And if you have any specific questions or need pics of anything on his cab, let me know.  It's now setting in my computer/game room.   

It came complete with a Star Wars Yoke, spinner, 4-pos gear shift, brake & gas pedals, 19" arcade monitor and functioning coin door. 

Not saying what I gave for it, but I could turn around and sell just the yoke and make a profit.   

Bdsjake is a nice guy that builds nice cabs.  Got to see 2 of his others when I picked this one up.

[Crowquill]

The guy I bought Rygar from is going to give me (I think) and Asteroids & Asteroids Deluxe cabinet. They are both in semi-decent shape from what I was told. Cool huh? I still need to refurbish Track & Field.

As long as you promise not to make them into light gun cabinets. 

I believe whole-heartedly in the manifesto, but condition is definitely a factor in whether a cab can be saved/restored. Making a driving cab is definitely something I wouldn't have thought of for a Tempest cab, but I can see how it could work. I assume you're putting the wheel on the front angled section of the control panel?

Personally, I favor making it into a spinner-based cab. You'd have a lot more options.

[RayB]

I believe whole-heartedly in the manifesto, but condition is definitely a factor in whether a cab can be saved/restored. Making a driving cab is definitely something I wouldn't have thought of for a Tempest cab, but I can see how it could work. I assume you're putting the wheel on the front angled section of the control panel?

So do I, but I'm willing to make exceptions considering that Tempest had a high production run and color vector monitors are very rare.

For example, there were 25112 Tempest uprights made. Compare this to the 4880 Crystal Castles.

Source:
http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1391750