National Semiconductor IMP mini

[Brad H]

-------- Original message --------
From: Raymond Wiker <rwiker at gmail.com> 
Date: 2017-01-02  11:01 PM  (GMT-08:00) 
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> 
Subject: Re: National Semiconductor IMP mini 

I see he also has an Apple II that he wants $2000 for --- it's listed as "NON
WORKING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FROM EXTREME AGE", and from date codes and
copyright markings it appears to be far from original. In fact, the
motherboard seems to be a Rev 7 RFI motherboard, and the processor is (I
think) from 1985. If that one is worth $2000, my Apple IIs must be worth at
least $6000 each :-)

On Tue, Jan 3, 2017 at 5:24 AM, jim stephens <jwsmail at jwsss.com> wrote:

>
>
> On 1/2/2017 8:08 PM, Josh Dersch wrote:
>
>> On 1/2/17 7:58 PM, Brad H wrote:
>>
>>
>>> -------- Original message --------
>>> From: Josh Dersch <derschjo at gmail.com>
>>> Date: 2017-01-02  7:37 PM  (GMT-08:00)
>>> To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <
>>> cctalk at classiccmp.org>
>>> Subject: Re: National Semiconductor IMP mini
>>>
>>>
>>> On 1/2/17 7:22 PM, jim stephens wrote:
>>>
>>>> This system looks pretty interesting, though pricey. I'm thinking it
>>>> is going to be a development machine as all the switches and display
>>>> would not probably have been on a production machine.
>>>>
>>>> I don't think National made many minicomputer format machines, in
>>>> their history, someone correct me.  That might make this pretty rare
>>>> on that front as well.
>>>>
>>>> thanks
>>>> Jim
>>>>
>>>> Beautiful-1974-NATIONAL-SEMICONDUCTOR-COMPUTER-model-imp-16p/
>>>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/252700755919
>>>>
>>>> Yeah, it's pretty cool but I don't think the seller has reasonable
>>> expectations for actually selling it -- the auction started (I believe)
>>> at $1500 (which may have been a reasonable price), then the seller
>>> raised it to $2500, now it's at $3500 (which is fairly outrageous, in my
>>>
>>>> opinion).  I'm not sure what his strategy is.
>>>> Bitsavers has manuals (of course...)
>>>> - Josh
>>>>
>>> I think he figured toggle switches and lights = $$$$.  He might be
>>> correct, given the obscene money I've seen laid out just for a PDP 8/e
>>> faceplate. You never know a) what will motivate a collector and b) when
>>> just the right collector for a given item will show up.  Every day I thank
>>> my lucky stars they didn't, for whatever reason, show up for my Mark-8
>>> boards.
>>>
>>
>> With the "No shipping cash on pickup" proviso the seller provides, I feel
>> fairly certain no one's biting.  But I've been surprised before...
>>
>> - Josh
>>
>
> I also passed on a PDP8/M he had, which was quite rangy then posted this
> auction.  I had not come across the listing from before.
>
> The "Oh it must be worth a fortune", even canceling an auction 2 weeks ago
> on me.  I didn't think to pay for it on auction closing, since I'd been
> sniping it, or I could have really reamed the seller.  I have not gotten a
> straight response from them since then.
>
> I would not have noted this other than what i think is a rarity. Sad that
> the guy is holding it hostage from someone who could get hold of it and run
> it.  I think there is one in the CHM collection from what i was told when I
> checked on it before sharing here, so there is one preserved.  However
> would be interesting to see one in such as Josh's or Ian's hands running.
> (or many others, just share a lot with them and they are lighting blink'n
> lights more than me right now).
>
> thanks
> Jim
>
>

I brought the RFI thing up with him.  No response.  There is a legit Rev 1 there too asking $3500.  I don't find Apple IIs below Rev 0 that interesting anymore, personally.  I think even the legit guy would struggle to get much above $1500.