I remember it being the 16k version for a couple of hours only…

Well I got the 16k version for a very short period of time indeed. Turned out that most software really required the 48k (actually 64k but 16kb shadowed by ROM) version.

Well what –until today– has been recorded as “an accident” can now be revealed (it was a long time ago anyway). The computershop didn’t want to take back the 16K version and upgrade me to the 48K version. Luckily the Oric-1 has a I/O connector that was directly connected to the hardware (unbuffered!!)… So a little power on the ‘wrong pins’ melted the 16K Oric-1 to the core. Now the shop had to take it back. It was obviously beyond repair (all components were fitted on the board itself that also didn’t survive the currents).
So they offered me a new one and allowed me to upgrade to the 48K version at the same time (after paying the price difference ofc.)

So how did you get your hands on a retail Oric-1 in 1982 when it was only released in 1983, eh?

Yes, you are absolutely right, it was released early 1983. But now I’m starting to doubt all..Did I get it in 1983? 1984? Do you remember Byte? We got the Atari 2600 in 1982 right? It may have been 1984… when did you get your first Atari XL? Oh man, I have to get this straightened out before my memory fades…
I do remember I got it ‘el cheapo’ so it must have been on the market for quiet some time… maybe 1984? I think I still have the receipt in the original box… now where did I put that?

Source: http://oric.ifrance.com/story/chapter1.html

Pfff. Nerd.
You are a tremendous nerd.
een sentimentele nerd.

Whahahaha.. okay… I should have seen that one coming.. was asking for it wasn’t I?