The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

16 posts / 0 new
Last post
gsmcten's picture
Offline
Last seen: 5 years 8 months ago
Joined: Oct 4 2005 - 18:52
Posts: 2629
The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

I could not believe my eyes...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BEYOND-RARE-PROTOTYPE-MACINTOSH-128k-APPLE-MAC-5-25-TWIGGY-DISK-DRIVE-/160781780426?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256f5745ca

Dog Cow's picture
Offline
Last seen: 4 years 10 months ago
Joined: Dec 11 2008 - 16:26
Posts: 554
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

As I posted on the 68kmla topic:

It's intriguing that the system still boots. It's too bad that the owner a few months ago didn't do more investigation in to trying to get it to load an operating system.

I think that's the bigger disappointment here. Not the sale price, but the thought that more could have been done to examine this prototype model.

Dr. Webster's picture
Offline
Last seen: 16 hours 13 min ago
Joined: Dec 19 2003 - 17:34
Posts: 1747
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

Engadget's already picked up the story, via Cult of Mac:

http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/11/apple-macintosh-128k-with-twiggy-floppy-drive/

Offline
Last seen: 11 years 11 months ago
Joined: Jan 25 2012 - 17:14
Posts: 22
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

I wish him luck at that price point. I kept it a private sale because I didn't want the attention selling a public thing on eBay would bring.

Offline
Last seen: 3 weeks 2 days ago
Joined: Oct 9 2011 - 12:54
Posts: 1352
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

Wow is that what a Twiggy Prototype is worth? That's almost Apple-1 Territory...

Offline
Last seen: 11 years 11 months ago
Joined: Jan 25 2012 - 17:14
Posts: 22
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

As I posted on the 68kmla topic:

It's intriguing that the system still boots. It's too bad that the owner a few months ago didn't do more investigation in to trying to get it to load an operating system.

I think that's the bigger disappointment here. Not the sale price, but the thought that more could have been done to examine this prototype model.

Perhaps you can tell those folks over there that if they had actually approved my forum registration, I might have actually had a chance of getting it working before I sold it.

Offline
Last seen: 1 year 3 weeks ago
Joined: Dec 10 2011 - 21:32
Posts: 67
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

I talked to someone who thought it was actually worth a lot more than that. He thinks it will sell. He suspected if someone were to buy it, get it working, dump roms, etc, get a lot of press about it, which considering what it is probably wouldn't be all that hard, just the ebay auction already generated quite a bit, then sell it at auction (not ebay) it might go for $200,000+.

I actually think I might agree, but I doubt it will sell. If you did get a lot of interest in it, I could see that as possible that someone would spend that kind of money. I'd still rather have an apple 1 at that price, and if you wanted to spend that kind of money, I think you could get an apple 1. (anyone know if that apple 1 on ebay for 175000 ever sold somewhere else?) Also a few more might show up, it's funny how that works, there might be some sitting around still that noone knows about, but when they see it posted all over they might look for them. With the way this one was found, it would not surprise me there are more out there. If a few more showed up the value would certainly go way down, especially if one was found in better condition (with disks, mouse, manual, shipping box, or something like that). With it as it sits, I still would be surprised to see someone spend more than $50,000 on it, but it is the only known one out there.

Dog Cow's picture
Offline
Last seen: 4 years 10 months ago
Joined: Dec 11 2008 - 16:26
Posts: 554
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!


Perhaps you can tell those folks over there that if they had actually approved my forum registration, I might have actually had a chance of getting it working before I sold it.

Well, it's unfortunate that things turned out that way.

Offline
Last seen: 1 year 1 month ago
Joined: May 27 2009 - 01:37
Posts: 1002
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

Fantastic! Congrats to both the buyer and seller. I can't possibly begin to imagine the how cheap this going for.

If I was interested in this I'd bid to $200,000+, easily. And anything below that is a steal!

Either way, it's great to see values like this.
The II + is indeed gaining traction, slowly but surely. A II+ with one drive just blew out at 200.00 + 50 shipping. Last year they were under 100.00

gsmcten's picture
Offline
Last seen: 5 years 8 months ago
Joined: Oct 4 2005 - 18:52
Posts: 2629
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

It ain't over 'til the fat lady pays and the item has shipped.

Offline
Last seen: 1 year 1 month ago
Joined: May 27 2009 - 01:37
Posts: 1002
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

The bids went back to zero?!? A tempting curiosity..

gsmcten's picture
Offline
Last seen: 5 years 8 months ago
Joined: Oct 4 2005 - 18:52
Posts: 2629
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

One of two things happened:
1. The guy who placed the bid was a Shill.
2. The guy bid and then withdrew after the auction was over.

I kind of figure it might be number 1. They thought that if one person bid, it would spur someone else to.

Offline
Last seen: 1 year 1 month ago
Joined: May 27 2009 - 01:37
Posts: 1002
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

I seriously thought of picking this up. What a sweet find. It would be a nice beginning to a mac collection I know someone is building.

Regarding the auction, it was probably number 1, shill bidding. The bid was withdrawn before the auction ended. Either shill or an error or change of mind. But most likely shill.

Offline
Last seen: 1 year 3 weeks ago
Joined: Dec 10 2011 - 21:32
Posts: 67
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

Seems you're too late (or you bought it?)... Looks like it sold:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160785335718#ht_20889wt_1403

I didn't realize it was a buy it now this time around.

I really hope the next owner can get it working

gsmcten's picture
Offline
Last seen: 5 years 8 months ago
Joined: Oct 4 2005 - 18:52
Posts: 2629
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

It's Back:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BEYOND-RARE-PROTOTYPE-MACINTOSH-128k-APPLE-MAC-5-25-TWIGGY-DISK-DRIVE-/160786633772?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256fa1542c

Same Bat Channel.
Same Bat Price. Smile

Offline
Last seen: 10 years 7 months ago
Joined: Dec 19 2003 - 14:45
Posts: 5
Re: The "Twiggy Prototype 128k Mac" on eBay!

Hi guys,
Just wanted to let you know that the story of "how we got the 2 prototype Twiggy Macs to boot up" is now published. Although I don't agree with the title of the story "The world's oldest Macintosh", These two computers are definitely the world's oldest working Macs. Please check out this link, let me know what you think!

http://www.cultofmac.com/239280/twiggy-mac-lives-quest-to-resurrect-worlds-oldest-macintosh/

Cheers,
Adam

Log in or register to post comments