1968 Indy 500 [M-type] - インディ500 [M型] by 関西精機 (Kansai Seiki)

Name: Indy 500 [M-type] - インディ500 [M型]

Year: 1968

Company: 関西精機 (Kansai Seiki)

Indy 500 was a revolutionary game.  It first appeared in 1968 (according to the book ミニドライブ大百科,) and we see it in the 1969 machine directory.

1969 machine directory

It was made in a few colours, including a deep orange.

One note is that the "Kasco" brand name does not seem to appear on the Indy 500 machines.

The original version here is called M型 (M Type) because the cabinet is made from metal.  The W型 (W Type) model was made of wood.  It was made in response to enthusiastic international orders.  The marquee was built into the cabinet on the W type.  Here is a great comparison of the physical measurements:

The M-type cabinets were still advertised overseas, but it was the W cabinet made for exports in mind.  Here is an English language flyer for the original M-Type model.

Indy 500 M-type at Expo '70

Indy 500 M-Type would be followed in 1969 by the W-Type and in 1970 by the F-Type model.

In 1969 the USA company seemingly Chicago Coin copied Indy 500 for their game Speedway.

1969 Speedway by Chicago Coin

1969 Speedway by Chicago Coin

excerpt from the 20th Century Youth Culture Clip Magazine

 

The above excerpt claims that Speedway was licensed from Kansai Seiki, but it also says Speedway was 1970, so I am unsure how authoritative that is.  I have heard other people say they assume it was licensed, but I would like to see a more definitive source.

Transcription: シカゴコイン社が関西精機製作所の許諾品『スピードウェイ』、中村製作所『レーサー』、太東貿易『スーパーロードセブン』を発表

Machine translation: Chicago Coin released the licensed products "Speedway" by Kansai Seiki Seisakusho, "Racer" by Nakamura Seisakusho, and "Super Road Seven" by Taito Boeki.