I have restored Vintage Soda Machines for 40 years. IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING PURCHASING A MACHINE FROM SOMEONE ELSE, AND THEY ARE USING MINE TO COMPARE THEIR'S TO, ASK THESE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS: NOTE: ALL THESE FACTORS HAVE A PLACE IN DETERMINING THE VALUE OF A RESTORED COKE MACHINE!
1 WAS THE MACHINE STRIPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BARE CABINET, AND SANDBLASTED DOWN TO bare metal TO REMOVE THE EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL RUST? Many amateur refurbishes will not take the machine apart, leave the original insulation, and internal rust intact, and do a quick "scuff and shoot" paint job, then miss-represent the machine as restored... Others claim their unrestored machines, full of rust, are more valuable unrestored. 2 ARE THE INTERNAL PARTS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY GALVANIZED NOW POWDERCOATED? Painting internal parts that were originally galvanized.
Is a cheap, incorrect substitute for powdercoating that will not hold up inside a refrigerated cabinet.... Don't allow the amateur or TV Personality to tell you different! Paint is cheap and easy and chips off. Powdercoat will last 10 times longer!! Also ZINC plating internal shelves is also Incorrect! The will oxidiz and tarnish, then rust. 3 HAS THE ORIGINAL ZINC PLATING BEEN RE-ZINC PLATED OR WERE THOSE PARTS ONLY PAINTED? A lot of parts inside the coin door original came zinc plated from the factory.... I always have these parts re-zinc plated, then I clear coat the so they won't tarnish. Note: these parts ARE NOT inside the refrigerated insides where the zinc will tarnish. WAS THE CHROME PLATING DONE AS SHOW CHROME OR WAS A CHEAP CHROME PLATTER USED WHO DOES UTILITY PLATING? People don't realize that there are different degrees of chrome plating.....My chrome is done by the best in the country.. Custom Chrome in Grafton Ohio.
They are famous for their quality show chrome. Please feel free to tell them we referred them to you. 5 WAS THE CORRECT ORIGINAL REFRIGERATION UNIT RESTORED, OR IS THERE SOME TYPE OR REPLACEMENT UNIT IN PLACE? Many restorers simply replace the original refrigeration unit, with a new reproduction unit..... It is my Professional position that maintaining the original refrigeration unit retains the antique integrity of your vintage machine, the same way keeping the original motor in your classic Restored Corvette would. This maintains the Original Historic Integrity of the machine.6 WAS THE INTERNAL RUST IN THE CABINET REPAIRED PROFESSIONALLY AND THE CABINET UNDERCOATED INTERNALLY BEFORE NEW INSULATION WAS INSTALLED? Not doing this simple step could lead to future issues..... Instead of seeing how much you can get away with, I go the extra mile, and have established practices that ensure your machine will stay restored, by doing what I feel is the very best way to protect these vintage machines internally. 7 IS THE PAINT JOB DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL PAINTER OR BY AN AMATEUR?
Many amateur restorers will try to paint these machines themselves in their garage instead of paying the professional paint shop to do the job correctly! Many Amateur's paint jobs will show overspray, orange peel, and other hints that they are Amateurs. Some even paint pieces the Wrong color or incorrect paint codes.
8 WERE THE CORRECT ORIGINAL GRAPHICS RE-APPLIED ON THE MACHINE, OR INCORRECT GRAPHICS DONE FROM INCORRECT MEMORY? Many amateur restorers will put an incorrect graphics in the wrong spot because they don't have enough care in their work to even look at an original to see the correct graphics and placement. THESE MACHINES WERE NEVER PINSTRIPED! Pinstripes are another RED FLAG, that the machine has been mishandled.
Dress-up decals were optional at the Distributor and Authorized by Coca-Cola and are Historically CORRECT! Vintage Soda Machines can be restored either plain with only Factory Decals, or with the optional Distributor Dress up decals. 9 WAS THE VENDING ASSEMBLY DISASSEMBLED AND RESTORED PROFESSIONALLY? Many amateurs will simply paint the inner cabinet and vending mechanism with a can of Hammer-tone spray paint.... This is a true sign of an amateur who is out to make a quick buck instead of doing the job correctly!
10 DOES THE MACHINE VEND CORRECTLY? WAS THE VENDING ASSEMBLY DISASSEMBLED AND RESTORED PROFESSIONALLY? Some makes and models will not vend the new small size Coke Bottles and adjustments need to be made.11 DOES THE MACHINE COOL CORRECTLY? Many Amateur Restorers do not have an understanding of the correct Cycling these machines require to not "Short Cycle", They also install wrong fan motors or fan blades that are noisy or turn in the wrong direction. It's ALWAYS A BIG RED FLAG when an Amateur has tapped into the original refrigeration unit and Added some type of Freon other than the ORIGINAL R12 that these machines were engineered and designed to use.
12 WAS ALL THE OLD ORIGINAL WIRING REPLACED? Old original machines have old wiring that is cracked and dangerous, this can cause fires or personal injury..... Old Wiring needs to be replaced!! Operating unrestored Original machines can result in electrical shock and are dangerous. 13 DOES THE MACHINE HAVE ALL NEW LEG LEVELERS THAT TURN FREELY?
Old machines have old leg levelers that are always rusted in place, a proper working machine needs to be properly adjusted so the condensation water drains properly! Many old machines have rusted inner cabinet liners where the old galvanized liner has rusted through, soaking the internal insulation where it is trapped, causing these machines to rust from the inside out!! 14 WAS THE OLD ROTTEN DRAIN TUBE REPLACED? Many Old machines have drain tubes with an S trap that is filled with debris that won't allow the condensation to drain, this also leads to holes in liners, and internal rust.
15 WAS THE ORIGINAL INNER CABINET LINER PROFESSIONAL REPAIRED OR IS THE BOTTOM OF THE LINER RUSTED AND COVERED WITH HAMMER PAINT TO HIDE THE RUST? Many Amateurs will try to hide a repaired inner cabinet liner with bondo and hammer paint, this is a dirty trick that is done to deceive the potential customer, this will not last, again internal rust. WE Always powdercoat the inner cabinet liner, inside and OUTSIDE, this encapsulates the metal liner, protecting it from rust! Facebook has become filled with opinionated Facebook Experts who have only incorrect Discussion Group knowledge.
When the Wise Elders of the Tribe fail to educate, then the Village Idiots Certainly Will. 17 WAS THE ORIGINAL STAINLESS BANDING RESTORED, OR NEW PLASTIC CHROME CAR MOLDINGS APPLIED?
Certain makes and models of vintage Coke Machines came with Stainless steel banding to separate the colors, others did not, some amateurs will put plastic car chrome moldings on machines that are not even supposed to have anything, they always use the wrong profile too!!! Other amateurs will restore a machine all one color when it is supposed to be red and white with banding..... 18 WAS THE ORIGINAL COIN MECH RESTORED?Huge difference in value here folks! New Reproduction Mechanical coin mechs are a last resort.
NOTE: ALL THESE FACTORS HAVE A PLACE IN DETERMINING THE VALUE OF A RESTORED COKE MACHINE! I hope these tips will help educate and protect Consumers from getting ripped off. I hate having to tell someone that the machine that they thought was restored was done poorly by an Amateur who ripped them off!
WE ALSO TAKE TRADE-INS AND WILL RESTORE YOUR MACHINE FOR YOU! WE VALUE AN AMATEUR REFURBISHED MACHINE LESS THAN AN ORIGINAL MACHINE, BECAUSE WE NOW NEED TO UNDO WHAT THE AMATEUR HAS DONE! I hope this information helps.
Lots of self appointed "FACEBOOK EXPERTS" ARE FULL OF MIS-INFORMATION! 2 ARE THE INTERNAL PARTS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY GALVANIZED NOW POWDERCOATED OR SIMPLY PAINTED? Painting internal parts that were originally galvanized is a cheap, incorrect substitute for powdercoating that will not hold up inside a refrigerated cabinet.... Instead of seeing how much you can get away with, I go the extra mile, and have established practices that ensure your machine will stay restored, by doing what I feel is the very best way to protect these American Icons. (Hindsight shows they always rusted internally, why Not protect them internally)?
7 IS THE PAINT JOB DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL PAINTER OR BY AN AMATEUR many amateur restorers will try to paint these machines themselves in their garage instead of paying the professional paint shop to do the job correctly! Some makes and models will not vend the new small size Coke bottle correctly, they were designed and engineered to vend the original size Coke bottle that is no longer made. Ben Coates Avon Lake, Elyria Ohio. Now think of the wonderful memories you could make with this beautiful Antique investment. (diversify your portfolio while dazzling your children and grand-children). These investments keep going up and up in price, while you enjoy them and make wonderful memories at the same time! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED WITH MINE!!!HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!!! FIRST I NEED TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE PATIENTLY WAITED FOR ONE OF MY MACHINES.....
THIS MACHINE IS NEWLY RESTORED. SORRY, NO PAY PAL ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE CALL ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS...... THANKS, CARL THE STOCK MARKET HAS MADE A RECOVERY! YOU'VE HEARD OF DIVERSIFYING YOUR PORTFOLIO HAVEN'T YOU? THESE COKE MACHINES HAVE NOTORIOUSLY GONE UP IN VALUE, AND HAVE TAKEN NO BIG HITS IN VALUATION.THIS IS AN INVESTMENT THAT WON'T DRIVE YOU CRAZY WITH WORRY, INSTEAD IT WILL TAKE YOU BACK TO A MORE WHOLESOME AND FUN TIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY THAT YOU CAN ENJOY TODAY..... A TRUE AMERICAN ICON This Cavalier 96 Coke machine, made in 1958 was professionally restored, NOT BY AN AMATEUR. The machine was disassembled down to the bare cabinet, and sandblasted down to the bare metal.
It was repainted by a professional body shop with the correct Dupont Enamel, exactly like it was done originally, then undercoated internally before the new insulation was installed. I do not believe in posting pictures of other machines that I, or someone else, have done in the past, I will let my feedback tell the story.I've seen it all happen, and refuse to put myself in that position. The inner cabinet liner was media blasted, removing the old galvanizing, then powdercoated silver, front and back, so the metal is now encapsulated in the powdercoating...... The same was done for the original main door cabinet liner, all the original bottle loading shelves, kick plate, coin catcher, cap catcher, drain tube assy. AND THE ENTIRE BOTTLE VENDING MECHANISM. To my knowledge, no one else is restoring the Cavalier Vending Stack Assemblies the same way I do.
BEWARE MANY AMATEURS SIMPLY PAINT THESE PARTS WITH HAMMER PAINT THAT WILL FLAKE OFF IN A YEAR OR TWO.... (The horse shoes, where the bottle is pulled through, were powdercoated white). ALL ORIGINAL PARTS WERE RESTORED AND RE-USED. Restoring the original parts keeps the antique integrity in tact.
The original Refrigeration unit was restored, using new fan motors, all new wiring, and a new thermostat, this machine cools perfectly, and much more quietly than the new reproduction units. An updated coin mechanism found in this machine, has been professionally refurbished, and works perfectly, it is designed to vend at different amounts, but comes set to vend for ten cents, accepting nickels, dimes and quarters, (giving change). All the original hardware: lock bar, lock latches, lens holders, coin return bar, etc, were first zinc plated then clear coated so they do not tarnish like untreated plating. The original coin entry bezel and coin return knob were chrome plated by the best, Custom Chrome.The new parts used were all new gaskets, new plexus-glass, a new polished stainless steel face plate and both lens, wiring, fan motors, thermostat, micro switch, and solenoid. All the correct original graphics were re-applied, as well as the optional dress up graphics that were available in 1958. This great vintage American machine that special warm, wholesome, happy, feeling of simpler times. These vintage machines a turning out to be great investments that continue to go up in value, despite the economy. Financial Advisors always recommend that you diversify your investments...
The Stock Market will drive you NUTS, the banks are not paying any interest..... WHY NOT ENJOY ONE OF YOUR INVESTMENTS???
Investing is a high quality Antique is a good, safe, tangible, investment. FAQ's Q: WHAT IS POWDERCOATING? A: POWDER COATING IS A NEW PROCESS. POWDER COATING IS A PLASTIC MATERIAL THAT ACTS LIKE A CERAMIC, IT GOES ON IN A POWDER FORM, THEN IS BAKED ON, AND MELTS TOGETHER, ONCE COOL, IT HARDENS THUS ENCAPSULATING THE METAL IN A NEW PROTECTIVE COATING THAT WILL NOT RUST OR OXIDIZE LIKE THE OLD GALVANIZING DID. BEWARE MANY "RESTORERS" WILL SIMPLY PAINT OVER THE OLD GALVANIZING WITH HAMMER PAINT, THIS IS A CHEAP, SIMPLE, COVER-UP.
I USE A MOVING COMPANY, NOT A TRUCKING COMPANY. MY MACHINES ARE HAND TRUCKED BY A MOVING COMPANY THAT CAN DELIVER TO YOUR DOOR, PROVIDING YOUR STREET IS TRACTOR TRAILER ACCESSIBLE. YOU PAY ME FOR THE MACHINE ONLY! I CAREFULLY WRAP THE MACHINE IN BLANKETS, THEN HEAVY CARDBOARD CORNERS, BEFORE IT IS CRATED. Q: IS AN ANTIQUE COKE MACHINE A GOOD INVESTMENT?
Antique Coke Machines do not defy the normal principles of LOGIC, Antique Coke Machines are only a good investment when they have been restored by a professional, the same as an antique car or an antique jukebox.... As a rule, all good quality antiques will go up in value, unless they are mis handled.....
A beautiful original Coke Machine has more value than one of the same model that was mis handled by an amateur trying to do a restoration..... A professionally restored Coke Machine will have more value than a beautiful original Coke Machine, just like a professionally restored 1959 Corvette has more value that a nice original unrestored 1959 Corvette. Now imagine a 1959 Corvette refurbished by an amateur who didn't know what he was doing...... ANTIQUE COKE MACHINES ARE THE SAME!!! AND AMATEUR ARE DECREASING THE VALUE OF ORIGINAL COKE MACHINES ALL THE TIME....
UNFORTUNATELY, THE PUBLIC, BARGAIN HUNTER CUSTOMERS ARE BEING TRICKED BY THESE AMATEUR WHO MIS REPRESENT THEIR MACHINES AS RESTORED...... I know because they contact me all the time, and want to trade in their machine, that they are not happy with, on one of mine, and are disappointed when I explain that they were tricked by the Amateur and by themselves, bargain hunting.....
I WOULD MUCH RATHER START WITH AN UNRESTORED ORIGINAL, THAN HAVE TO UN-DO WHAT SOME AMATEUR HAS DONE TO A MACHINE.... WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN A RESTORED MACHINE AND A REFURBISHED MACHINE? Restored is doing the job correctly as I describe in my auctions..... Refurbished is taking shortcuts, not disassembling the cabinet all the way or even taking out the old insulation.Not sandblasting the cabinet down to the bare metal, not powdercoating the internal components, just hammer painting them instead, used fan motors instead of new, any refrigeration unit instead of the correct original one, amateur paint job instead of a professional paint job, not chroming parts that should be chromed, silver paint instead of zinc plating etc...... The machine could still look good in the picture, it is just done with a lot less integrity at a lower cost to restore, this is called refurbishing. HOW DO I TELL AN AMATEUR RESTORER FROM A PROFESSIONAL? ANOTHER OBVIOUS WAY IS TO STUDY THE LISTING....
IS THE MACHINE PICTURED THE ACTUAL MACHINE YOU WILL RECEIVE? MANY DO THE BAIT AND SWITCH, TAKING ORDERS THAT THEY CAN'T FILL......
PROMISING RESULTS THAT ARE NEVER PRODUCED..... BUYERS BEWARE, THERE ARE A LOT OF SHORTCUTS THAT MOST OF THE "RESTORERS" TAKE, THE AMATEUR RESTORERS MAKE ALMOST ALL THE SHORTCUTS..... WHEN RESTORING THESE MACHINE, I TRY TO DO THEM AS HISTORICALLY CORRECT AS POSSIBLE, WHILE STILL KEEPING COST IN MIND.
MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE MACHINES WERE ORIGINALLY PRODUCED. I TRY TO KEEP THE HISTORICAL INTEGRITY OF THE MACHINES I RESTORE, RECOGNIZING THEIR HISTORICAL VALUE.
HERE IS A LIST OF MATERIALS THAT I UTILIZE WHEN DOING A PROFESSIONAL RESTORATION: EVERY MACHINE IS COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLED DOWN TO THE BARE CABINET EVERY MACHINE IS SANDBLASTED DOWN TO THE BARE METAL EVERY MACHINE IS PROFESSIONALLY REPAIRED AND PAINTED AT A PROFESSIONAL BODY SHOP. EVERY MACHINE IS UNDERCOATED INSIDE BEFORE NEW INSULATION IS INSTALLED ALL ORIGINAL ZINC PLATING IS RE-ZINCED AND THEN CLEAR COATED SO IT WILL NOT TARNISH. ALL ORIGINAL CHROME IS RE-CHROMED ALL ORIGINAL STAINLESS STEEL TRIM IS RESTORED HAVING ALL THE DENTS PROFESSIONALLY REMOVED, AND POLISHED TO A CHROME LIKE FINISH.WE DO NOT USE NEW REPRODUCTION METAL TRIM PIECES WITH AN INCORRECT PROFILE, WE DO IT THE HISTORICALLY CORRECT WAY, BY RESTORING THE ORIGINAL STAINLESS STEEL TRIM. THE ORIGINAL MACHINES WERE PAINTED WITH DUPONT ENAMEL! BASE-COAT / CLEAR COAT PAINT DID NOT EVEN EXIST IN THE 1950'S, IT IS NOT HISTORICALLY CORRECT TO USE THIS TYPE OF PAINT, IT IS NOT BETTER, AND IS A NIGHTMARE TO TOUCH-UP, REQUIRING BOTH THE BASE COAT AND CLEAR COAT, WHERE ENAMEL IS SINGLE STAGE, AND CAN BE TOUCHED UP AND BUFFED OUT VERY EASILY. I ALSO USE WATER RELEASE DECALS ON TOP OF THE ENAMEL PAINT, THE SAME WAY THEY DID BACK IN THE 1950'S. MANY MACHINES WERE DRESSED UP WITH THE BOTTLE AND HAND DECAL OR THE SPRITE BOY DECAL....
THESE WERE ORIGINALLY WATER RELEASE DECALS, AND WERE APPLIED THE SAME WAY I DO NOW, THE HISTORICALLY CORRECT WAY. IT IS NOT HISTORICALLY CORRECT TO CLEAR COAT OVER WATER RELEASE DECALS, NOR IS IT HISTORICALLY CORRECT TO CLEAR COAT OVER SILK SCREENING. SILK-SCREENING WAS DONE IN CERTAIN APPLICATIONS ON TOP OF ENAMEL PAINT, AND WAS AS PRONE TO SCRATCHING AS THE PAINT ITSELF OR THE WATER RELEASE DECALS..... 90% OF THE MACHINES HAVE ORIGINAL REFRIGERATION UNITS THAT STILL COOL FINE.... I RESTORE THESE ORIGINAL REFRIGERATION UNITS, AND RE-USE THEM KEEPING THEIR ORIGINAL COMPRESSORS, BUT REPLACE ALL THE OLD WIRING, FAN MOTORS, AND THERMOSTATS.
THIS IS THE HISTORICALLY CORRECT WAY TO RESTORE THE REFRIGERATION UNIT. EACH UNIT IS FIRST PAINTED WITH RUSTOLEUM AND THEN A TOP COAT OF APPLIANCE EPOXY.
REPLACING THE OLD COMPRESSOR WITH A NEW ONE IS NOT HISTORICALLY CORRECT, AND DOES NOT INCREASE THE VALUE OF THE ANTIQUE MACHINE. WE UTILIZE THE SAME PHILOSOPHY THAT THE ANTIQUE CAR RESTORER USES.... MAINTAINING THE ORIGINAL REFRIGERATION UNIT IS LIKE KEEPING THE ORIGINAL MOTOR IN YOUR VINTAGE AUTOMOBILE. YOUR ANTIQUE IS WORTH THE MOST THIS WAY, AND THIS IS THE WAY IT IS DONE TO BE HISTORICALLY CORRECT!ALSO THE NEW COMPRESSORS ARE MADE IN CHINA, AND ARE VERY CHEAPLY MADE, THEY WEIGH ABOUT 1/4 AS MUCH AS THE ORIGINAL, AND ARE MORE NOISY WHEN THEY START UP. BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WEIGH WHAT THE ORIGINAL UNITS WEIGH, THE MACHINES NOW BECOME LESS STABLE... A VENDO 39 WITH A NEW REFRIGERATION UNIT IN IT IS ACTUALLY A HUGH SAFETY CONCERN, IT BECOMES VERY FRONT DOOR HEAVY, AND COULD TIP FORWARD ONTO SOMEONE VERY EASILY, BECAUSE THE WEIGHT OF THE ORIGINAL REFRIGERATION UNIT WAS ENGINEERED INTO THE DESIGN OF THE MACHINE. THERE IS NO BETTER REFRIGERANT THAN THE ORIGINAL R12.....
IT IS NOT ONLY THE BEST, IT IS ALSO THE ONLY REFRIGERANT THAT IS HISTORICALLY CORRECT! ANYTHING ELSE IS A SUBSTITUTE, AND IS NOT HISTORICALLY CORRECT! WE DO NOT OVER RESTORE OUR MACHINES, CHROME PLATING THINGS THAT WERE NEVER CHROME PLATED, AND SHOULD NOT BE CHROME PLATED..... IT IS HISTORICALLY INCORRECT TO CHROME HINGES, HANDLES, COIN MECHS, BACKING PLATES ETC.....
THESE WERE NEVER CHROME PLATED FROM THE FACTORY, AND ONLY RESULT IN A HOT ROTTED, GAUDY, UNPROFESSIONAL JOB.... SIMPLY REMOVE YOUR CAR'S PAINTED GAS CAP COVER PLATE, HAVE IT CHROME PLATED, AND PUT IT BACK ON THE CAR TO SEE HOW STUPID IT LOOKS.....I GET THE SAME FEELING WHEN I SEE PARTS OF A COKE MACHINE CHROMED THAT SHOULD NOT BE. ALL OF THE INTERNAL CABINET LINERS, BOTTLE STACK ASSEMBLIES, BOTTLE DRUMS, BOTTLE LOADING SHELVES ETC. ARE POWDERCOATED WITH A CHROME LIKE COLOR.... MANY OF THE INTERNAL PARTS OF A COKE MACHINE WERE ORIGINALLY GALVANIZED.....
OLD GALVANIZING ACTUALLY OXIDIZES RESULTING IN THE WHITE POWDER LIKE SUBSTANCE YOU WILL FIND IF YOU RUN YOUR HAND OVER AN OLD PIECE OF GALVANIZED STEEL, LIKE A VENDO 81 BOTTLE LOADING SHELF. THIS IS ACTUALLY HOW GALVANIZING RUSTS, ONCE THE OLD GALVANIZING OXIDIZED, THE ORIGINAL METAL WOULD BE EXPOSED, AND ACTUALLY WOULD START RUSTING..... WE HAVE ALL OUR PARTS PROFESSIONALLY POWDERCOATED, WHEN THEY DO SO THEY FIRST SAND BLAST ALL THE ORIGINALLY GALVANIZED PARTS DOWN TO THE BARE METAL, BEFORE THE NEW POWDERCOATING IS APPLIED. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT HISTORICALLY CORRECT TO APPLY THIS POWDERCOATING, I FEEL IT IS THE VERY BEST PROTECTION THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS CAN RECEIVE.
POWDER COATING IS A NEW PROCESS. BEWARE MANY "RESTORERS" WILL SIMPLY PAINT OVER THE OLD GALVANIZING WITH HAMMER PAINT, THIS IS A CHEAP, SIMPLE, COVER-UP THAT WILL FLAKE OFF LEAVING YOUR MACHINE A MESS INSIDE. I RE- RESTORE MANY MACHINES THAT WERE DONE INCORRECTLY BY AMATEURS.... WE ALSO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE ACTUAL ORIGINAL LETTERING THAT WAS ORIGINALLY FOUND ON THE VINTAGE MACHINES AS THEY WERE WHEN THEY LEFT THE FACTORY.
COCA-COLA WAS VERY TRICKY WHEN THEY DESIGNED THE LETTERING FOR THEIR MACHINES, THEY MIXED UP FONTS, (LETTERING STYLES), AND ELONGATED LETTERS. DIFFERENT MODELS HAD DIFFERENT LOGOS THAT WERE CORRECT FOR THAT MODEL. NOTHING COULD BE WORSE THAN HAVING INCORRECT LETTERING AND WRONG PLACEMENT OF WORDING SILK SCREENED UNDER CLEAR COAT ON YOUR MACHINE...... THE ONLY REMEDY WOULD BE TO REBLAST THE MACHINE AND START OVER. IF YOU WONDER IF YOUR MACHINE HAS THE CORRECT STYLE LETTERING, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REFERENCE MY AUCTIONS OF ALL THE DIFFERENT MODELS, THEY ARE ALL DONE CORRECTLY!WE ALSO APPLY MANY OF THE DECALS ORIGINALLY USED THAT OTHER RESTORERS "FORGET" TO APPLY LIKE THE SLUG REJECTER DECALS, THE BOTTLE LOADING DECALS, THE WIRING DIAGRAM DECAL, THE PATENT DECAL ETC. DON'T GET TRICKED INTO BELIEVING THAT DECALS WERE NOT USED ON THESE VINTAGE MACHINES.... OUR MACHINES HAVE HAND PAINTED EMBOSSMENT LETTERS THAT NEVER HAVE ANY BRUSH MARKS, BECAUSE I HIRE A PROFESSIONAL SIGN PAINTER, AND ARTIST, WHO USES THE CORRECT SLOW DRYING PROFESSIONAL SIGN PAINTER'S ENAMEL. ANY INSINUATION THAT THIS PAINT WILL FADE IN THE SUN IS ABSURD.... YOU WILL ALSO NOTICE THAT MY SIGN PAINTER STAYS ON TOP OF THE LETTERS LIKE THE ORIGINAL LETTERS WERE DONE ON THE PRESS AT THE FACTORY....
THEY WERE NEVER SILK SCREENED OVER THE EDGES LIKE THE OTHER GUY DOES. IT IS MY POSITION THAT A RESTORED VINTAGE MACHINE IS MORE VALUABLE WITH IT'S ORIGINAL RESTORED COOLING SYSTEM, THE SAME WAY A VINTAGE CAR IS MORE VALUABLE WITH IT'S ORIGINAL MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION. YOU WOULDN'T REPLACE THE OLD TUBE AMPLIFIER IN YOUR ANTIQUE JUKEBOX WITH A NEW ONE FROM RADIO SHACK THAT WAS MADE IN JAPAN WOULD YOU?
THAT WOULD ALSO HURT THE VALUE OF THAT ANTIQUE MACHINE. YOU WOULDN'T REPLACE THE ORIGINAL MERCURY SWITCH IN YOUR ANTIQUE CRANE MACHINE WITH A NEW SWITCH FROM RADIO SHACK MADE IN CHINA WOULD YOU?
YOU WOULDN'T REPLACE THE MOTOR ON YOUR 1959 HARLEY DAVIDSON WITH A NEW MOTOR FROM CHINA WOULD YOU? Do you know that Harley even patented the sound of their motorcycle.......
NOW DOES THAT NEW REFRIGERATION COMPRESSOR FROM CHINA THAT MY COMPETITOR USES SOUND LIKE THE ORIGINAL? YOU WOULDN'T REPLACE THE ORIGINAL 78RMP RECORD STACK ASSEMBLY IN YOUR 1948 WURLITZER JUKEBOX WITH A NEW CD PLAYER ASSEMBLY BECAUSE YOU WOULD GET A LARGER SONG SELECTION CAPACITY. YOU WOULDN'T REPLACE THE ORIGINAL 8 CYLINDER ENGINE IN YOUR 1959 CORVETTE WITH A NEW 4 CYLINDER HONDA MOTOR BECAUSE IT WOULD RUN "MORE EFFICIENTLY".
Reproduction parts will always be available, but where would you ever find the original parts again? NOW, DON'T GET ME WRONG BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BE MIS-UNDERSTOOD.... REPRODUCTION PARTS DO PLAY A VERY VALUABLE AND NECESSARY ROLE IN THE RESTORATION OF ANTIQUE COKE MACHINES... I ALWAYS USE NEW PLASTIC DOOR LINERS, NEW GASKETS, NEW FAN MOTORS, NEW THERMOSTATS, NEW DECALS, NEW BREAKER STRIPS, NEW SOLENOIDS, NEW MICRO SWITCHES ETC.
THE BEST PARTS SUPPLIER BY FAR IS STEVE EBNER AT FUNTRONICS, HE IS A SQUARE SHOOTER, AND AN HONEST BUSINESSMAN. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONTACT HIM WITH YOUR RESTORATION PARTS NEEDS. Kinda like restoring a PINTO instead of a CORVETTE. DON'T GET TRICKED INTO BELIEVING THAT OVER RESTORING MAKES A VINTAGE ANTIQUE MACHINE MORE VALUABLE, CHROMING THINGS THAT SHOULD NOT BE CHROMED IS NOT CORRECT, AND DOES NOT ADD VALUE, IT ACTUALLY TAKES AWAY....ASK ANY ANTIQUE CAR RESTORER WHO CONCERNS HIMSELF WITH RESTORING WITH INTEGRITY INSTEAD OF FLASH. DON'T GET TRICKED INTO BELIEVING THAT RETRO-FITTING NEW REFRIGERATION UNITS INTO AN ANTIQUE MACHINE IS INCREASING THE VALUE OF AN ANTIQUE MACHINE......
ANTIQUES ARE ALWAYS MORE VALUABLE WITH THEIR ORIGINAL COMPONENTS. DON'T GET TRICKED INTO BELIEVING THAT REMOVING ALL THE ORIGINAL PARTS, AND REPLACING THEM WITH REPRODUCTION PARTS IS CORRECT, IT IS NOT.... EVERY REPRODUCTION PART ON THAT MACHINE TAKES AWAY FROM IT'S HISTORICAL VALUE. NO SHELL GAME HERE, NO PROMISES THAT CAN'T BE MET, NO LIP SERVICE ABOUT RESTORATION PROCESSES, NO PHOTOS OF MACHINES THAT ARE NOT AVAILABLE...HERE ARE MY MACHINES, RESTORED WITH INTEGRITY, AND QUALITY, USE YOUR OWN JUDGMENT, AND COMMON SENSE SHOULD PREVAIL. WHAT WE DO IS A PROFESSIONAL RESTORATION AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE, WHILE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE HISTORICAL INTEGRITY AND ANTIQUE CORRECTNESS. The craftsmanship, restoration and "look" are exceptional and my friend's children are having fun learning how the machine works.
Perhaps most important Carl, you are a man of your word and your integrity is exemplary. You take pride in your work and this Vendo 81 D shows that pride. Just a note to say thank you so much for the beautiful restoration on our Coke machine. Everyone that stops over is floored, their jaws drop to the floor at how beautiful it is. If you ever need me to give a reference or if you ever want to list my comments in your ads, just let me know, I will be more than happy to brag about what a wonderful restoration you do. Regards, Lesa Pellittieri Carl, I received the machine yesterday and it is just the way you described it with outstanding craftsmanship in the restoration of it. I truly appreciate you taking the time and effort to do such a great job packing it for transport. I will certainly recommend your machines to anyone if they want quality. Thanks again, Brian Dear Carl, Sorry it has taken us so long to get back to you about the coke (81A) machine, work has been very busy. We just wanted to say thanks for such a beautiful machine it's just flawless, the detail and pride in the workmanship is just amazing, all the way down to the way you wrapped it and the moving company delivered it. Look forward to someday getting another machine from you. Thanks Steven & Theresa Theresa, thank you so much for your kind words. Carl Carl, We received machine and it is PERFECT! You have been GREAT to work with and so nice. Judy Choplin My husband LOVES his machine!!!!!! He has shown it to everyone in the town or who comes by the house. We have it loaded with drinks and ready to use. Thank you so very much for all your hard work, picture taking, information.Judy Choplin Hi Carl, Just wanted to let you know that we got the machine last Monday, and it FAR exceeded our expectations. The Coke machine is amazing, I have had so many people come over just to see it and they are just amazed at how well you restored it. My husband was shocked and amazed at how well ever thing runs, and it brought back some good memories for grandparents. Thank you again, this was well worth the investment, and I know this will definitely be passed down to our kids. Take care, Elisa Carl, I got the machine home (Vendo 81) yesterday without any problem.
We had a neighbor over to see it and they were amazed at your work. They said more than few times that it looks "brand new". Needless to say it's a great conversation piece. It even makes it more fun to discuss, since you were able to share some time with me at your shop telling me some of the history of the machines and showing me all the very fine details work through to restore a machine.
Thanks again for taking PRIDE in you work! What I got was great!You are to be commended on your professional restoration. Carl, I picked up the Pepsi machine from Forward Air on Tues. April 16th, bought it home and sat it up for about 10 hours. I plugged it in and it runs and looks perfect! You obviously took quite a bit of time and detail went into this machine.
Carl, I finally got the machine today, WOW.... I never thought it would look this nice, I have visited some local dealers in the Dallas area that sell refurbished machines and I think their idea of refurbishing and yours are two different things. The machines I saw here could not hold a candle to yours, they are very cheaply done, and now that I have seen one done the right way, it is easy to tell who spends the time and effort to do an outstanding job and who does just what they have to, to get by, and sell a half aXX done machine. Great job, great machine, I will recommend you to any one looking for a wonderful piece of history.
Thanks, Kyle Lastly - my impression from the outside is that the machine is totally flawless. I looked for 20 minutes - just trying to find a dink.Something, anything - but I came up empty! Kudos on a fine restoration. It is exactly as you described it MINT SHOW CONDITION. You did an amazing job on restoring every inch of the machine, we are THRILLED. We highly recommend you to any potential customers and will call you if we or any of our friends have a need for something else.
THANKS AGAIN, Debra Carl, the Coke Machine is absolutely beautiful. The nicest one I have ever seen.I'm glad that I waited all those years until the right one came along. I'm sure it will bring me years of happiness. Thank You Very Much, Christine. Carl, We were in Florida on vacation a few weeks ago and stopped by a Coke memorabilia store. The guy had a Vendo 44, a Vendo 81-D, and several chest machines.
Looking at his machines really makes one appreciated the work you put into yours. His did not hold a candle to mine and his was supposedly professionally restored. Rw990194 (23) Feb-05-07 18:23 ----Private Great merchandise. Thanks robjeep57 (347) May-31-06 05:35 ----Private Coke Machine is fantastic!! Tacosw (677) May-26-06 03:41 ----Private wow, this is fabulous. Carl's the REAL DEAL for restored machines. The best in the business.Moehoward(467) Jul-27-99 03:50 BUYERS BEWARE, AS ECONOMIC TIMES GET TOUGH, MORE CON ARTIST ARE ACTIVE. LOOK FOR THEIR FEEDBACK, ASK FOR REFERENCES.... MINE ARE POSTED FOR ALL TO SEE.
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING PURCHASING A MACHINE FROM SOMEONE ELSE, AND THEY ARE USING MINE TO COMPARE HEIR'S TO, ASK THESE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS: NOTE: ALL THESE FACTORS HAVE A PLACE IN DETERMINING THE VALUE OF A RESTORED COKE MACHINE! WAS THE MACHINE STRIPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BARE CABINET, AND SANDBLASTED TO REMOVE THE EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL RUST?Many amateur refurbishes will not take the machine apart, leave the original insulation, and internal rust intact, and do a quick scuff and shoot paint job, then miss-represent the machine as restored... ARE THE INTERNAL PARTS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY GALVANIZED NOW POWDERCOATED OR SIMPLY PAINTED? Powdercoat will last 10 times longer!!!
HAS THE ORIGINAL ZINC PLATING BEEN RE-ZINC PLATED OR WERE THOSE PARTS ONLY PAINTED? I always have these parts re-zinc plated, then I clear coat the so they won't tarnish 4.
They are famous for their quality show chrome...... WAS THE CORRECT ORIGINAL REFRIGERATION UNIT RESTORED, OR IS THERE SOME TYPE OR REPLACEMENT UNIT IN PLACE? It is my position that maintaining the original refrigeration unit retains the antique integrity of your vintage machine, the same way keeping the original motor in your classic Corvette would. WAS THE INTERNAL RUST IN THE CABINET REPAIRED PROFESSIONALLY AND THE CABINET UNDERCOATED INTERNALLY BEFORE NEW INSULATION WAS INSTALLED?
Instead of seeing how much you can get away with, I go the extra mile, and have established practices that ensure your machine will stay restored.... IS THE PAINT JOB DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL PAINTER OR BY AN AMATEUR many amateur restorers will try to paint these machines themselves in their garage instead of paying the professional paint shop to do the job correctly!
WERE THE CORRECT ORIGINAL GRAPHICS RE-APPLIED ON THE MACHINE, OR INCORRECT GRAPHICS DONE FROM INCORRECT MEMORY? Many amateur restorers will put an incorrect graphics in the wrong spot because they don't have enough integrity in their work to even look at an original to see the correct graphics and placement...... This is a true sign of an amateur who is out to make a quick buck instead of doing the job correctly!! DOES THE MACHINE VEND CORRECTLY? Many makes and models will not vend the new small size Coke bottle correctly, they were designed and engineered to vend the original size Coke bottle that is no longer made.DOES THE MACHINE COOL CORRECTLY? Many Amateur Restorers do not have an understanding of the correct Cycling these machines require to not "Short Cycle", They also install wrong fan motors that are noisy or turn in the wrong direction. WAS ALL THE OLD ORIGINAL WIRING REPLACED? Old Wiring needs to be replaced!!! DOES THE MACHINE HAVE ALL NEW LEG LEVELERS THAT TURN FREELY?
Many old machines have rusted inner cabinet liners where the old galvanized liner has rusted through, soaking the internal insulation where it is trapped, causing these machines to rust from the inside out!!! WAS THE OLD ROTTEN DRAIN TUBE REPLACED? Many Old machines have drain tubes with an S trap that is filled with debris that won't allow the condensation to drain, this also leads to holes in liners, and internal rust 15. WAS THE ORIGINAL INNER CABINET LINER PROFESSIONAL REPAIRED OR IS THE BOTTOM OF THE LINER RUSTED AND COVERED WITH HAMMER PAINT TO HIDE THE RUST? WAS THE ORIGINAL STAINLESS BANDING RESTORED, OR NEW PLASTIC CHROME CAR MOLDINGS APPLIED?
Other amateurs will restore a machine all one color when it is supposed to be red and white with banding...... WAS THE ORIGINAL COIN MECH RESTORED? I HAVE ALSO BEEN ASKED ABOUT A T. PROGRAM AIRED ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL CALLED "PAWN STARS" IN WHICH A SEGMENT WAS DONE ON RESTORING A VINTAGE COKE MACHINE........ THE MACHINE THAT WAS WHEELED INTO THE PAWN SHOP WAS A VENDO 39 AND THE ONE PRESENTED AS RESTORED WAS A CAVALIER 72.........THERE IS NO AMOUNT OF RESTORATION THAT CAN CHANGE ONE MAKE AND MODEL INTO ANOTHER MAKE AND MODEL...... KINDA LIKE TAKING A FORD GALAXY INTO THE CAR RESTORATION SHOP, AND COMING OUT WITH A CHEVY CORVETTE.... THE PRODUCERS OF THE SHOW PULLED A HOAX ON THE PUBLIC......... WHAT HAPPENED IN VEGAS, SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN VEGAS, AND NOT BEEN BROADCAST ON T.
They say Intergity is doing the right thing when no-one is watching.... NOT SURE WHAT THEY CALL DOING THE WRONG THING WITH EVERYONE WATCHING IS CALLED...