Thread
Possibly the BIGGEST conquest any of us have ever made!
Back in November last year, I noticed an eBay auction for a bulk Vintage Mac Museum come up, with a starting bid of 99 cents. I expected some furious bidding, as the listing talked about a massive collection filling a 40 foot container. I was able to piece together that the collection was shown on his website, which talked about a stupid number of systems, including Mac Portable, TechStep, Compacts (Plus/SE/Classic), Mac II’s, Colour Classics, etc.
What happened next surprised even myself – I won it all for 99 cents.
I planned to go get it all over the Australia Day long weekend (26th January) with my wife, after we had gotten back from our Christmas / New Year’s trip to the US and Canada. I researched all methods to get it home, as it is a 16 hour drive away. I did all the planning I could. But nothing could anticipate being laid off the first day back at work after the holiday.
As a result, I had to call the trip off. It was heartbreaking, but I never let it go. I found a job 2 months later, and thought I would contact the seller to see if I could still go ahead. To my amazement, it was back on like Donkey Kong. Needless to say, the wife was unimpressed…
So, a 16 hour drive with a massive trailer on the back was fun…we were wondering what we had gotten ourselves into. We decided to go at Easter, as there was an unprecedented 5 days off in a row thanks to Public Holidays. After two long days of driving, and an overnight stop on the way, we finally made it.
The collection was housed in an old Army barracks, which unfortunately was partially open to the elements. The collection was placed there about 10 years ago, and a combo of drought meant that there was dust through everything, and plenty of recent rain meant items near the windows copped some abuse. Oh, and the possums in the roof ruined quite a few good systems too…
But what a find! My collection swelled from about 20 to well over 100, not to mention hard to find items that I’d never see otherwise. I grabbed a 128K, several 512Ks, a dozen Pluses, a dozen SEs, a couple of SE/30’s, a mix of Classic and Classic II, some Colour Classics, a mint Performa 275, a Macintosh Portable with carry case and manuals in great condition (but needs a recap methinks), a dozen Mac II/IIx, a IIfx, several //e’s and matching monitors, a couple of //c’s with monitors, a TechStep in case with the two ROM packs, a couple of IIGS’s (ROM 1 and 3), a couple of SC20s, a couple of HD20s, a mix of IIcx’s, IIsi’s, IIci’s, IIvx, Quadra 605, a couple of 700s (one with a DX2/66 card in it), a Workgroup Server 60, a G3 Server, a PM 6100, and a couple of 100 series PowerBooks.
Systems complete in original boxes include an SE, LC, Quadra 700, Apple CD 300, and a PM6100 DOS Compatible. They have their manuals, warranty cards, etc, and the keyboards, inserts, disks, everything. I also got an Apple 150 External CD Drive, a couple of 300s, a new Adjustable Keyboard in box, hundreds of disks (5.25, 3.5, system stuff, old games), Apple Service Technician manuals (the silver and blue covers), manuals galore back to the 128K, Picasso box with all the original software and manual, several soft carry cases, some Disk ][ drives, 3.5 and 5.25 drives, spare mobos, Ethernet cards, processor upgrades and accelerator cards (like Sonnet, and a 1988 Quesse SE upgrade), Syquest and Zip drives and disks, and shedloads of keyboards, meeces, power cords, ADB cables, connectors, everything. I have so much stuff and I’m sure I’ve missed a lot. I love that I can play with certain systems and dig into a box for spares if I need to.
Anyway, I’ve been wanting to share for a while but I’ve been flat out cleaning and sorting what I have, and decided to take a few minutes out to share the story.
It may not look like it, but there is so much stuff here. I don't think I've shown a photo with everything I got. That picture of my garage doesn't show that it was unwalkable a few days later.
What happened next surprised even myself – I won it all for 99 cents.
I planned to go get it all over the Australia Day long weekend (26th January) with my wife, after we had gotten back from our Christmas / New Year’s trip to the US and Canada. I researched all methods to get it home, as it is a 16 hour drive away. I did all the planning I could. But nothing could anticipate being laid off the first day back at work after the holiday.
As a result, I had to call the trip off. It was heartbreaking, but I never let it go. I found a job 2 months later, and thought I would contact the seller to see if I could still go ahead. To my amazement, it was back on like Donkey Kong. Needless to say, the wife was unimpressed…
So, a 16 hour drive with a massive trailer on the back was fun…we were wondering what we had gotten ourselves into. We decided to go at Easter, as there was an unprecedented 5 days off in a row thanks to Public Holidays. After two long days of driving, and an overnight stop on the way, we finally made it.
The collection was housed in an old Army barracks, which unfortunately was partially open to the elements. The collection was placed there about 10 years ago, and a combo of drought meant that there was dust through everything, and plenty of recent rain meant items near the windows copped some abuse. Oh, and the possums in the roof ruined quite a few good systems too…
But what a find! My collection swelled from about 20 to well over 100, not to mention hard to find items that I’d never see otherwise. I grabbed a 128K, several 512Ks, a dozen Pluses, a dozen SEs, a couple of SE/30’s, a mix of Classic and Classic II, some Colour Classics, a mint Performa 275, a Macintosh Portable with carry case and manuals in great condition (but needs a recap methinks), a dozen Mac II/IIx, a IIfx, several //e’s and matching monitors, a couple of //c’s with monitors, a TechStep in case with the two ROM packs, a couple of IIGS’s (ROM 1 and 3), a couple of SC20s, a couple of HD20s, a mix of IIcx’s, IIsi’s, IIci’s, IIvx, Quadra 605, a couple of 700s (one with a DX2/66 card in it), a Workgroup Server 60, a G3 Server, a PM 6100, and a couple of 100 series PowerBooks.
Systems complete in original boxes include an SE, LC, Quadra 700, Apple CD 300, and a PM6100 DOS Compatible. They have their manuals, warranty cards, etc, and the keyboards, inserts, disks, everything. I also got an Apple 150 External CD Drive, a couple of 300s, a new Adjustable Keyboard in box, hundreds of disks (5.25, 3.5, system stuff, old games), Apple Service Technician manuals (the silver and blue covers), manuals galore back to the 128K, Picasso box with all the original software and manual, several soft carry cases, some Disk ][ drives, 3.5 and 5.25 drives, spare mobos, Ethernet cards, processor upgrades and accelerator cards (like Sonnet, and a 1988 Quesse SE upgrade), Syquest and Zip drives and disks, and shedloads of keyboards, meeces, power cords, ADB cables, connectors, everything. I have so much stuff and I’m sure I’ve missed a lot. I love that I can play with certain systems and dig into a box for spares if I need to.
Anyway, I’ve been wanting to share for a while but I’ve been flat out cleaning and sorting what I have, and decided to take a few minutes out to share the story.
It may not look like it, but there is so much stuff here. I don't think I've shown a photo with everything I got. That picture of my garage doesn't show that it was unwalkable a few days later.
I'm speechless ...
Do I smell money being made parting out systems that parts are good, but the systems are bad? you might make a killing off of ebay if you take up the option to sell a lot of parts, especially if you find rather rare stuff. You could come out several thousands of dollars ahead, especially with the recent price hike on ebay for some insanely rare (and not even rare!) stuff.
I am looking for an Apple //c power supply and would gladly pay shipping if it works. Mine kicked the bucket, and if you let me know how much one costs to USA/68132 Zip code, I would greatly appreciate it (this is the brick that has to two cables, funky connector, not for the Apple //c with the internal PSU)
I am looking for an Apple //c power supply and would gladly pay shipping if it works. Mine kicked the bucket, and if you let me know how much one costs to USA/68132 Zip code, I would greatly appreciate it (this is the brick that has to two cables, funky connector, not for the Apple //c with the internal PSU)
i would like that IIfx!
..... Wow. I think that's pretty much the score of the century right there.
That is just astonishing. Was this the lot that was in central-south NSW somewhere?
Also, are you doing some kind of catalogue?
Also, are you doing some kind of catalogue?
How much of what was in salvageable condition were you actually able to rescue?
8-o
Amazing!
Thank you for posting this. I can't wait to show this to my wife so she will get off of my back!
lol
lol
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Well THAT backfired. I showed her and all it was was an opportunity for her to go on a rant about how much stuff I DO have. :-/ I just can't win.
lol
Gary
lol
Gary
What did you do with the stuff that you couldn't keep? I remember your initial posts about you needing to take it all!
I've already recouped costs and then some by selling off excess systems. I don't need 8 of one system, and this was the only way to convince the wife that the trip was worthwhile - it would pay for itself, which thankfully, it did. I have sold about as much as I want to for now, but there are systems that are great with a bad floppy drive, or a dodgy mobo, etc, that I want to fix one by one.
Sorry, I got more //c's than power supplies. Plus it looks like someone PM'ed you, good luck!
Fat chance! The first computer I bought was a IIfx and LCII combo, which I threw away xx( when I moved into an apartment. I blame youth and stupidity. Now I have another IIfx, my pain is reduced and I feel I have made amends with the Mac God.
Yep, this was the lot in Wagga Wagga. I have since sold a few systems, and I think I'll only catalogue what I end up with in my collection. No one needs to know about 10 SE's or 12 Pluses, etc.
Not half I would say. Systems that looked buggered just needed a wipe down and a dust out and work great. I've come to realise that you don't judge the book by its cover, but maybe you can judge the mac by its caps. I have found that quite a few systems don't work, but I have enough spares that I should be able to repair a lot of them.
That's the thing. We still need people to go there and take what they want. My only caveat is that people try to take as much as possible. Seeing it from the eyes of the seller, he would like it all taken at once, and he almost didn't let me leave any behind. But I only just got employment, and couldn't afford the thousands and thousands for a removalist. I urge anyone who can to go there to go, all free of charge. All I ask is that you take as much as you can, to help clear it all out. Not a bad deal, free macs for the cost of loading up, I think it's fair.
PLEASE let me know if you are interested in going, I feel guilty leaving stuff behind for him to deal with.
If only container transport from Australia to the US west coast were affordable ...
Nice to see you share the story Jason.
Seeing the pictures and reading about what you picked up makes me want to jump up and head over there right now!
Probably as close as a couple of weeks away now.
Seeing the pictures and reading about what you picked up makes me want to jump up and head over there right now!
Probably as close as a couple of weeks away now.
I waited this long partly because I was flat out, and partly because I wanted to give you time to organise your plans as well. Happy hunting, keep in touch!
Well you beat my conquest earlier this year. This is just amazing.
How did all those macs end up there? I am sure there is a story to go along with the story.
How did all those macs end up there? I am sure there is a story to go along with the story.
Of course, I totally forgot about that part of the story!
He was an ex Apple Reseller. He would take trade ins on new machine sales, but didn't want to sell second hand systems because they would affect new system sales. He sold the shop in 2001 and the new owner only wanted current stock, so he took everything else that was surplus. I think the reason some machines don't work is due to this reason, they needed repair and never got it.
Just remembered I got two Osbornes (I believe non working though), hundreds of disks and software titles, and still more stuff I can't remember.
That is one amazing conquest! Glad to see you were able to give so many machines a new home!
And there is still plenty to be cleared, if you are serious about visiting and taking as much as you can. All I have to do is make sure the property owner (and previous/current (?) owner) of the gear is comfortable with the visit.
Did you find any cool vintage upgrades?
Good to see that huge lot won't end up in a landfill; too bad several thousand times more does. :-/
I'm lucky to have an accepting wife. (As long as it stays in the basement.) :-D
Yeah, this one cleans the clock of my mega-haul a couple years ago. (Most of that haul was software and parts, not complete systems, although it did include a trio of //c systems.)
Amazing haul. If only Australia weren't so far away...but then the significant other would kill me.
Did you see any Outbound stuff in there? Clone laptops from ~1990 with a blue kangaroo emblem? If you find a Mac or SE which won't boot and it has a mystery card in it, be sure to mention it here. I'm still looking for a docking card for the Outbound Model 125. It would be installed in a Plus or SE, and there'd be a little cable coming out with a connector that looks like mini-centronics, but isn't. And the Plus or SE would be without ROMs so it won't boot...
They've probably all been scrapped as non-working, but I keep hoping one will turn up, somewhere...
Did you see any Outbound stuff in there? Clone laptops from ~1990 with a blue kangaroo emblem? If you find a Mac or SE which won't boot and it has a mystery card in it, be sure to mention it here. I'm still looking for a docking card for the Outbound Model 125. It would be installed in a Plus or SE, and there'd be a little cable coming out with a connector that looks like mini-centronics, but isn't. And the Plus or SE would be without ROMs so it won't boot...
They've probably all been scrapped as non-working, but I keep hoping one will turn up, somewhere...
This is where the hobby gets way, way out of hand.
Hi js,
I would be speechless (or maybe not) walking into a haul like this, all ripe for the picking! Thanks for posting about your travels, and your wife truly deserves a medal. I've had (real) dreams about walking into something like this, and going through it all. Sad I know
Good luck in selling off the excess, take your time, spend a little while cleaning/fixing them up, it pays the bills. Certainly I'd be interested in a few bits & pieces, shout out!
JB
I would be speechless (or maybe not) walking into a haul like this, all ripe for the picking! Thanks for posting about your travels, and your wife truly deserves a medal. I've had (real) dreams about walking into something like this, and going through it all. Sad I know
Good luck in selling off the excess, take your time, spend a little while cleaning/fixing them up, it pays the bills. Certainly I'd be interested in a few bits & pieces, shout out!
JB
looks like your in Australia too, go get the rest. 
Hell no. This lot is staying Down Under if I've got anything to do with it. You guys have plenty!
Sorry, nothing like that, but I'd probably hang onto it if I had. Good luck!
Not sure if I'm insulted or chuffed?
Well, you can always visit him, you know... It's a lot closer for you than me. If you're chasing something specific, let me know, you've helped me enough in the past!I would be speechless (or maybe not) walking into a haul like this, all ripe for the picking! Thanks for posting about your travels, and your wife truly deserves a medal. I've had (real) dreams about walking into something like this, and going through it all. Sad I know
Good luck in selling off the excess, take your time, spend a little while cleaning/fixing them up, it pays the bills. Certainly I'd be interested in a few bits & pieces, shout out!
JB
Amen brother! How many times have I had to read about mega hauls over there? And how many over here? Yep, zip. About time something like that happened over here.
As a side note, Australia seems to be very pro Apple, judging by the new members on retromaccast over the years. Also, smartphone usage in Australia has the iPhone at around 70% of the market, but it is about half that in the US. Apple does well over here, and I've noticed the vintage stuff is worth more here as well.