Serial Number 68448

What I need for this game:

• A little wood filler
• Coin box cover for the back
• New hinge for the gas pedal
• Original game flyer

Updates to the Page:

3-21-2008: Just beat my old high score of 5352 tonight! Now it is 6312.

Updated 3/21/2008

Description of game:

My first cockpit game! Always wanted one. The big problem (no pun intended) is that this thing takes up a ton of room! This is a top down racer that is really fast! It was the game released by Sega just before Turbo. It is also the last of the discrete circuit style arcade games that don't have a CPU. It uses individual circuits to manipulate each item in the game. This is a reason why when I got it, the "Rescue Car" firetruck didn't work right. It just wrapped constantly on the screen. The game's collision detection wouldn't let you go past it, so it would constantly wreck your car.

Different games that this cabinet plays:

Dedicated to Monaco GP only.

How I got it:

My kids have always loved race games. I think the girls' favorite has been Turbo, so I jumped at the chance to get this one. A friend from work told me that she saw this game at an auction she worked part time at. It was around Christmas time so I figured I would never afford it if I went to the auction. Well, it didn't sell that night, so the auction owner sold it to me directly. I was really excited because I was told it was working. Well, it KINDA was working. Here's a video of the rescue car problem.

Recent repairs:

If you've ever seen the schematics for this game that are widely available on the Internet, you'd know how much of an uphill battle I was going to face. They are badly written, and copied, hand-drawn schematics. At least they were mostly written in English. I had to narrow down a few of the chips on the PCB that were bad based on the schematics. I then ordered some chips from Bob Roberts to replace them. Also had to get some bulbs for behind the display panel. Well, got the game working after swapping out the first two 74157's I removed. Then I had to move on to the sound. The rear speaker was not working at all. Checked and double-checked all the wiring. Once I opened up the rear speaker cover, I knew what was wrong. There as a big mouse nest in there, made of paper from the speaker cone. It was completely chewed away. At least the tenants moved out long before I got the cabinet!

Finally, the side console with the coin slot and shifter was really torn up. Looked like it was knocked completely off at one point. I tore it back off, cleaned up the joints, then replaced it properly. It now looks much better. Need to clean up inside the console a bit more, and use some wood filler on some of the outside surfaces, but overall it's pretty good.

What it still needs:

There is still a bit of a clipping sound in the rear audio channel. Need to figure that one out soon. Doesn't effect gameplay at all so I haven't wanted to tear into the PCB again. Also need to do some minor touchup on the cabinet itself. Could use some wood filler in a couple areas, including the console. Would love to rewire the console to clean it up some more, but it works fine for now.

Final thoughts:

This game is a lot of fun, and a big hit with kids. We'll keep it around (at least until I get that dual Daytona USA I've always wanted!).

Personal High Scores:

6312

Links:

KLOV Monaco GP

Screen Shots:

View from through the back plexiglass cockpit window

More Pictures

 
Here's the hacked up console. Had to tear it off and repair it.

The seat was still in great condition!

Check out the factory installed sound baffling. I pulled this wadded paper out of the top speaker cone. Now I wish I didn't because the ice skid sound is deafening!

This has a fully working Tachometer! Cool!