Wanted Pinball chassis/shell for student project - preferably a freebie

[DoctorMike]

Hi,

First time poster, so please forgive me if this is an old idea. I
teach Game Programming at Newport University in South Wales. In an
attempt to enthuse the students on the need to understand hardware
issues - they often just want to make games, rather like an F1 driver
not wanting to understand how the car works! - I would like to set
them a REAL challenge that embraces hardware directy. Namely, I would
like them to have a go at creating a "whitewood" prototype pinball
machine. Ideally, for this I'd like to source an old pinball machine
shell. It doesn't have to be in working condition, in fact definitely
not working, but ideally would include the flippers, plunger, and
mechanical elements, such as decent legs in a sturdy chassis with
intact glass if possible. If any bumpers, lights, drop targets, etc,
could be reused/recycled they will be, but we'd mostly be using
replacement parts according to the student designs, within a limited
budget. I've been offered a Laser War (with some parts, mostly the
sound cards, removed to revamp another) for £150, but this is being
personally funded; university cuts don't stretch to paying for pinball
machines!

We'd be looking at students designing replacement fields and solid
state electrics/electronics and, therefore, be creating several
physical prototype
playing fields, which would be compatible with one CPU with bespoke
software to handle game responses to player input. Clearly, I am not
looking for a machine that could/should be refurbished; I guess it's a
bit like not wanting to destroy an arcade cab to make it MAME. So, is
there a "beyond all hope" pinball machine taking up space in your
collection?

My guess would be that this would be an ongoing 2-3 year project, but
any donator would have first refusal on purchase, and the price would
be set at
"cost recovery" so we could pursue future projects. We'd also be
willing to see the donator as "client", so if you have ever had that
really great idea for a pinball machine, we'd welcome your input.
NOTE: No licensed/registered/trade marked elements would be allowed,
but we do have an excellent Art School, and their students would also
be involved in the project.

Please remember, we don't want to butcher a machine that deserves to
be refurbished, and reserve the right to refuse machines that
shouldn't be
dismantled, as we cannot guarantee that a shell could be returned in
its original state. If you have such a machine, we could probably
arrange to make a pickup. I hope that you, like me, see this as an
exciting project. Let's not let Stern in the USA be the only place
left designing pinball machines...

Doctor Mike Reddy
Univesity of Wales, Newport