The Dick Smith System 80, as sold to New Zealanders

Terry Stewart terry at webweavers.co.nz
Mon Dec 26 04:14:42 CST 2016


Over this Xmas break I've grabbed some time to add a few bits and pieces to
my Dick Smith System 80 website. Some on the list might find this stuff
interesting, hence the post.

For those who might not know, Dick Smith was a colourful Australian
entrepreneur (and helicopter pilot), who pioneered a chain of electronic
shops. These shops were like the Radio Shack of Australia.  The first of
these shops opened in New Zealand in 1981 (or 1982?).

Here are selected pages from the first Dick Smith catalog advertising the
System 80 and accessories to us New Zealanders.  The prices are
eyewatering.  Sales tax on overseas goods was very high. I think one NZ
dollar was worth about 50 US cents at that time, maybe even lower.
Nevertheless I bought a System 80 as advertised!  My wife nearly killed me,
as we were saving up to buy a house (opps!).

Anyway, the PDF is here:
http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/system-80/promotion-selected-pages-1st-dick-smith-nz-catalogue.pdf

If you want to see everything I've added, check out the top three entries
in this list:
http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/system-80/whats_new.htm

Tez


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