Anyone Recognize This Apple Disk II drive? (Prototype or what?)

[jajan547]

So I got this Disk ii drive looks very nice but has no serial number, markings (except on outside), and no textured paint. Yet somehow this uses a correct Shugart Mechanism (Shugart Associates) yet what’s odd is Apple usually covered that up. I’ve seen older Apple PCBs in this color some unmarked for prototyping in this era. What I find odd is it has date codes for around 1983. I know Apple in the later Disk ii drives used white or beige cables is this maybe a cost cutting concept that was just scraped or what’s the deal here? I can’t see this being a copy the motor is an expensive name brand Phillips and the mechanism is for sure Shugart. So what do I have here?

 

[volvo242gt]

Almost looks like a disk ][ that someone put into a generic case, with an aftermarket analog board. Is the cable short, or long? I know that Apple shortened the cables on late disk ][ drives (right around the end of the red label Bandley Drive production, just before they went to the gold label on the final drives.

 

[LaPorta]

I have no idea, but could theorize about someone who had a trashed case but a good drive?

 

[jajan547]

Cable seems to be same length if not slightly shorter than rainbow cables. I have no idea why they’d put a disk ii in a weird case and I’ve never seen an analog board like this. I just find the whole thing very odd especially given that it seems well built or designed (if it was) using good quality brands and parts.

 

[joshc]

Is the case that weird? Just no labels on it?

 

[jajan547]

Is the case that weird? Just no labels on it?

It’s smooth not that bubbled texture like they usually are, vents are located on sides and are actually vents not fake like on normal disk ii drives. And no serial number or any apple markings except faceplate which is what makes it weird for me

 

[bibilit]

Probably a clone drive, the Apple, the faceplate is just a sticker, i have one looking just like that.

the analog board is just a copy of the original one.

 

[waynestewart]

It’s a clone
By 1983 Apple had switched to Alps drives
If the Apple engineers had wanted to play around with a drive, they wouldn’t have had a case custom made, they would have used one they had on hand.
Apples profit margin was so high that anyone could easily undercut them.

 

[jajan547]

Very neat thanks everyone happy to finally know!