2 Sega Am2 Cabs up and Running (Daytona 2 + F355 Challenge)
12Although it doesn't look like it, a lot of work has gone into getting these 2 cabs up and running. Working Japanese built Daytona 2 cabs are becoming very difficult to find at a reasonable price now, it's more lucrative to part out faulty machines for spare parts. I even know of an op who parted a whole working Daytona 2 twin as it was worth more, I ended up buying the shells off him as he was going to scrap them. Sad but true.
Anyway, the Daytona 2 was basically wrecked when I got it, I bought it as a spares/repair twin and after much messing about I just about managed to scrape 1 working cab out of it. I sold that cab to a friend and then proceeded to get this half up and running. I was really lucky to meet an arcade op who sorted me out big time, if it wasn't for Stuart the D2 cab would have gone to arcade machine heaven. Whilst I was restoring this D2 I managed to score another spares or repair D2 in a bit better condition, so this D2 will be sold and I'll start on the next restore when I have space.
What it took:
Model 3 Videoboard replaced.
DSB2 Soundboard replaced.
Driver control board replaced.
Speakers replaced.
Sorted out the hacked wiring, it really was a mess!
Fitted replacement step down + isolation transformers.
Overhauled pedals, steering and shifter.
Replaced monitor chassis.
Fitted seat cushions.
I ended up splitting up a single Scud race cab for some of the parts, it was a tough choice but in hindsight it was the correct choice. The Scud race was in pretty beat up condition and had multiple faults which would have cost more than the cab was worth to sort out, After the decision was made I then managed to find a nice condition twin Scud race for a reasonable price which I will start work on when I've finished restoring my Daytona 2.
Daytona 2 still needs a good clean but everything works pretty much 100% apart from a sound amp with a low sounding woofer, if I use another amp the woofer is as it should be...a bit of a strange fault tbh.
The F355 was a much easier project, I swapped the F355 game cage for a Lindbergh and a couple of other bits, then later I bought the shell with the dash of the same guy who was selling it as a project cab. I also bought a Nanao monitor but have misplaced the control board, hence me using a LCD panel bungeed to the cab!
The F355 cab was destined for another Outrun 2 conversion so I took it upon myself to save it! I had loads of spare bits to complete the electronics and the loom was basically intact, so all it took was to put all the bits back inside.
2 classic Sega arcade racers in my rickety conservatory, I never would have imagined that one day I would own the actual arcade games. Emulation is nice and getting better all the time, but, there is something special about playing the games as they were intended to be played.
Sega were really at the top of their game in the late 90's, even today their racers are fun and interesting to play.
Thanks for viewing!