Racing Commodores!!!

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:26 pm

A few of us are building some racing Commodores. Anything in the C64 and C128 families qualifies. I just won 3 C64Cs on eBay, with a couple more being bid upon.

Cornering the market, as one may dare to call it. Seth and I each bought flash card interfaces for them. (You can use MMC or SD cards (up to 4GB) as HDDs for the C64!!) Seth has a Roland stero chorus pedal built into his to get pseudo stereo from the C64's mono ouput. (I'm going to do the same.) We're also going to buy some PAL crystals, to put in a switch to change between PAL and NTSC modes. I'm replacing the C64-style AV ouput over to S-Video, and either stereo RCA, or quarter inch connectors. (RCA would be standard for TV use, but 1/4" looks cooler and can be adapted.) Have a couple other little tricks planned as well. I've got two Sega Genesis pads that will work nicely for game input. Of course the power LED will be replaced by color cycling RGB LED, that cycles to the set speed of the stereo chorus box.

The coolest thing about the flash interface is that you no longer need a big floppy drive plugged in, and not extra cables. So the full size of everything is the size of the C64 itself.

If anyone is interested in building a racing Commodore, let me know, and I'll point you in the right direction for the bits and pieces to get.

Go! Go! Racing Commodore 64!!

McNevin, will you be joining us? I'll supply you with a baseline C64C if you buy the flash drive. http://www.jschoenfeld.com/indexe.htm It's called the MMC64. $60ish... I should have mine all assembled by next week.

This just in: (on the phone with Seth) We're going to add a socket to put in an extra SID chip, so you can switch between 6581 and 8580!! Weeeeeee!!!!

spidermonkey · Post by **spidermonkey** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:32 pm

If I had a Vic-20 with a tape drive, could I join in?

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:36 pm

This looks like a good project for SleeephZor! Best grab yourself a nice C64 or C128. We were thinking that a 128D with a big hood scoop and blower sticking out the top would be pretty good

We're building one for TeH MonX0rY of Sp1d0citY as well.

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:41 pm

I actually have a couple of tape drives on the way (they came with a couple of the 64Cs.)

Vic 20's are super cheap too. I got my C64Cs all in the $10-20 range, so you could probably find a 20 for $5 or so.

We already have a C64C allocated to you though, so no need to worry. You can still have a tape drive though if you like.

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:30 pm

I think we're going to cut a clear Window into the top, and illuminate the inside blue. (The window will be right over the dual-SID-chip mod.)

Oh-Sweet-Nectar! You look like you're tearin' ass all around the living room... ...but you're standing still... ...still waters run deep!

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:34 pm

I've also been making some noises about a possible "Personal Joymaster C64 Edition" There would be two separate sticks. One stick, one button each. Both sticks would be able to drop into a table-type stand like the Joymaster MkII for upright playing. We'll see. I kind of like the idea of the game pads though right now. (especially for living-room use) I may pick up a couple of QuickShot IIs. Haven't played an action game with an actual "Joystick" in years.

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:55 pm

Spidery Pokery: I ordered your flash device. The 64Cs are on their way, we should have everything by next week. Seth is ordering the bits and pieces we'll need (crystals and capacitors) for various SID replacement/PAL switch installery etc.

W O R D ! !

Post by **enderzero** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:18 am

Sounds awesome! Can't wait to see pictures.

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:31 am

They shall start appearing as soon as some progress is made. I'm just waiting for all the bits and pieces to start showing up right now. I should have the first C64C on Thursday. Seth, Spid3rCh0X0r and I will be doing some Commodore work this weekend.

McNevin: There is one more (maybe two) of those flash interfaces left on eBay. Otherwise we'll need to contact the guy that makes them.

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:02 pm

McNevin: I'm going to see if we can get one ordered for you...

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:22 pm

McNevin: Your flash interface has been ordered. I'm trying to get teh Rixl0r to get the last one.

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 1:09 pm

I've found the Stero Chorus boxes we need for our racing Commodores. Everyone should get one of these: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=g ... id/150501/

They are only $29. This will thicken up the sound slightly, and allow a pseudo-stereo output from the mono-C64. It will be ripped apart, and only the PCB and knobs will be used. The knobs will stick out of the C64, behind the keyboard but in front of the vents pointing backwards from the little angled area.

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 1:17 pm

Just ordered mine. It qualifies for free shipping.

Post by **enderzero** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 4:15 pm

Where is McNevin? He still alive?

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 6:08 pm

He's in Las Vegas... He'll be back soon I imagine.

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:32 am

One C64 and two flash readers are showing up today. Weeeeeeeeeee!!!!

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 4:28 pm

First one is in. The British PAL model auction has been won... ...by me...

Number four will be on its way shortly. Seth currently has number 5. Capacitors have been ordered.

Over.

McNevin · Post by **McNevin** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:57 am

Wow... hey thanks... WORD!

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:17 am

WORD!

Post by **enderzero** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:38 am

How's this project coming along?

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 9:03 am

We will begin some of the actual work this weekend. I have 4 C64Cs sitting on my table, and one C128. (with one more C64C on the way from the UK (I wanted a PAL version to experiment with.)) I have my stereo chorus box (which the rest of the team need to order still.) I think we're going to build one prototype, and base the rest on that once we get it all set up. That way we can figure out the best way to make them. I shall post again after the first one is up and running.

McNevin · Post by **McNevin** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:27 pm

Take lots of pictures please...

McNevin · Post by **McNevin** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:54 pm

R3C · Post by **R3C** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:55 pm

Nice! I have all of our racing commodore bits. We need to assemble them sometime.

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Racing Commodores!!!

Racing Commodores!!!