How did I do?

[Zach]

Hey folks just picked this up today. It's a VMC 81 7 up in great shape. Missing only a few small pieces and the cooling unit. Have the original tag. Only problem is someone filled in the 7 up and painted coke over it. Id say this had been done 20 years ago. Thankfully appears they just filled it with bondo or some body filler so I should be able to get it out to prove it is a VMC 81 7 up. Got it for $350, I'd say I did well on it. What you guys think? Thanks

[Jim]

The machine may just have a raised sign concealing the embossed 7-Up logo...
That's what it appears to look like from the photo...
If this is the case, even better ! ! !
And a great price ! ! !
Congrats on a nice acquisition ! ! !

[vintage-air]

Wow, very nice! And a great price! Tell us the story on how you found it. Any history as to where it came from and how do you determine if it was all white or green/white?
Congrats again!

[MoonDawg]

       I don't think there is a sign on there, that is the embossed part. The letters are de-bossed. How are you going to clean out the bondo, sandblast?

      The machine looks to be in great condition. Killer deal!

      Jeff, all 7up 81's were originally white but many restorers change to green and white. Like the RC yellow, I would prefer the 7 up original solid white.

      I'm sure Coke modified it years ago but they should have been busted by the 7up police. 

[briandr1]

Thats awesome wish I could get a find like that. congrats on your new toy

[Zach]

Reading all these posts gave me goose bumps haha im really excited. So heres the story, did my normal craigslist search and typically i only look at adds that say vintage coke machine, you know something on the lines of vintage so Im not spending hours looking at junk. Saw an add that said Coke Machine, rarely do I look at these but what the hell I'll try it. Only had 1 pic of it and I knew what is was. Contacted the guy and he was like "yeah was once a 7 up and now its a coke thats all I know. I dont have a data plate or anything." I was pretty sure of what it is so I arranged to get it first thing the next day, 2 hour drive each way... totally worth it. Get there check it out, saw how someone filled in the 7 up embossed part, that sucks, but it does raise out by the way and im pretty sure they filled it with bondo. Anyways, saw on the coin insert said vmc. I was trying to keep my cool, the guy didnt know what he had. So it came from Vegas and he said Coke actually did the paint job themselves. So I got it home and gave it a good wash and saw at the bottom of the inside that the red paint on it was pealing and underneath was white. So I'm pretty sure its the real deal. Came with old coke bottles in it so another plus. And! There was the Vendorlator model 81 plate underneath all these. If the guy knew it was there and googled it he would of realized what he had. While doing this im having a hard time staying calm. So the plan is to sand blast down the bondo to reveal the 7 up. Anyways, I'm pretty sure its the real deal. Im not really sure where to go from here. I want to start restoring machines and I have a few more machines as well but I havent actually complete one yet so me restoring this machine would be like learning to drive on a Ferrari. I dont think this is a machine for a first time restorer. So i mite get it restored by a professional or sell as is. But then again I hate to let her go considering I'm in love with her. And this is a love at first site story haha. Anyways any ideas? Thanks guys and sorry about the bad grammar. Oh and if u want some more pics i can post some if u wana see. Sorry im not trying to brag or anything, just want some ideas from the pros.

[coke_and_stuff]

PM SENT

Joey

[Zach]

Joey,
Thanks for your offer but I'm going to hold off for now.

[coke_and_stuff]

Not a problem, If you change your mind let me know

Joey

[collecture]

Nice find!
Where are you Motoman - I am in Phoenix - 5 hours from LV.

Leonard told me this and I tried it on a Canteen that I had. Use a torch and heat up the Bondo - it will crack and bubble up so you can pop it off like cold gum. I guess just be careful not to warp the metal with the heat. I found that the embossing on the Canteen was ground down and bashed in, so I did not remove all of the bondo. Just enough to see what they did to it and then I sold the bare cabinet for scrap. If it had been on the Canteen, I'd still have it.

Take it from one who just finished restoring their first full machine, it is not that difficult. Just use SMC here as a field guide.

Again - Congrats on the find!