Question re: 8" drive form-factor

[Steven Hirsch]

Here's a strange one:  I recently acquired two Shugart 851 drives from 
another cctech-er.  They were in nice shape and operate fine.  The weird 
part is their form-factor.

I have 8 or 10 other 8" drives in my collection, both half-height and 
full-height, including two other 851 Shugarts.  All of these are 8.5" 
wide, with faceplate and frame being exactly the same size.

These two "new" Shugart units are _9.5"_ wide at the faceplate and require 
a clearance of about 9-1/8" for the frame.  Can anyone explain this odd 
sizing?  Were they perhaps manufactured against an earlier standard?

Color me puzzled...

Steve


--