Persistance pays off

[MoonDawg]

       Spotted an ad on Craigslist last October for a Coca Cola neon. Called the guy and said I would buy it. Went to his house not far away and purchased it as it was better than described although the neon tube was broken.
       After paying and on my way to the car he asked if I had any interest in an old "Coke box". First thing that came to my mind was the typical Westinghouse chest but thought I should look at it since I was already here.
       He then walked me around to his patio where it has been sitting for over 10 years. He said the compressor leaked freon, he has had it fixed twice and it failed again so he quit using it.
       Although I was in shock, I calmly asked him how much he wanted for it. Of course the reply was "I don't know what it's worth now.....how much will you give me"?
       So the game begins, I offered him $500.00 and he replied that he would think about it. A month later I called him back and left a message but no reply so I went back to his house and found him working on one of his several classic trucks.
      I asked if he still had his old Coke box and he said yes but a friend of his was interested in it and he felt obligated. Another month passed and I stopped by again. His friend was still interested but had not shown him any money yet. I replied that I had cash so he told me to check back in a few months.
      Respecting his wishes, I held off but didn't forget about it. Last weekend I returned and asked about it again. He still had it so I made another offer and this time showed him some cash. He said he would have to call his friend and went into the house for a minute. When he came back, he said.........."well it's yours" 
      Although it is also missing some vending linkage so it was set for freeplay, I was thrilled to become the new owner. Lesson here is to never give up.
      Here is a picture of the old "Coke box" and the neon sign that started it all.

[Funtronics]

They both look great. Great find....

[collecture]

Great score Glen!
Is it a "B" or "C"? I'm guessing a "B" with the white medallion, but they decided not to put the chrome trim back on when it was painted.
So does the compresser cool after all? A few times I've gotten a machine for cheap because the seller says it does not cool and then I find out that it DOES cool when it is wired correctly.

[Pat Pixley]

great score Glen The machine is good the sign is really cool   , I've never see one like that .
I'm going out tonight to pick up a re-pop Glasscock the guy said bring some extra money he has a bunch
of Coke stuff ( My luck probably all new crap)  you never know    you gave me hope Glen that I may find a sign.

[mznb1u]

Nice scores on both counts.  I have a few guys that have stuff that I would like to get that I keep in touch with.  You never know when they will decide to sell.

  Tim

[SIGNGUY]

Great Score and Great Story to go with it... Never give up.. you just never know what may pop up..
I love those listings of "Coke Box" ,"Old cooler" .. those are usually the best scores as the seller didn't do  their research to find out the current value of the item.. I once bought a Vendo 81b from a lady who listed it as a "Pop Fridge"... just took a shot on it , she sent a photo of a Vendo 81b painted all red and sign tacked over the coke logo..

[Creighton]

Very Nice! Sign is outstanding!!
Creighton

[90grad]

Sweet!!

[aristocrat]

great result!

you can still find stuff at a great

hoping to find my piece of hidden treasure



..............one day!

GP

[Jim]

Awesome score Glen ! ! !
I also have faith in Patience and Persistence...

[MoonDawg]

       Thanks all!  The neon was made from a nice original 1963 fishtail sign but was professionally altered at some point in time. I originally bought it for resale but it lights up my entire store 24 hrs a day so it is a keeper now.
       The 81 has a modern compressor which works fine but has had a late model  39 evaporator installed, so the bottom shelf no longer fits and the lines were soldered very poorly so that's why the leaks. I have the right parts to fix all that.
       The only problem I have now is the bottle stack. The parts that were removed are easily replaced with those from a square top machine, with the exception of the cam that is actuated by the vend cylinder at the bottom.
        Rod......have you had this part re-manufactured yet as it is also critical to convert an electrical stack back to manual? I could supply one from another stack as a sample if someone has access to a machine shop that would be capable of re-making these as I could use a few of them.
       Also I'm not sure if this part is the same as a 110 or reversed but if it is the same, I would buy one if anyone has an extra. Can post a picture later if necessary.
        Thanks.

[SIGNGUY]

             The only problem I have now is the bottle stack. The parts that were removed are easily replaced with those from a square top machine, with the exception of the cam that is actuated by the vend cylinder at the bottom.
              Also I'm not sure if this part is the same as a 110 or reversed but if it is the same, I would buy one if anyone has an extra. Can post a picture later if necessary.
        Thanks.

I agree on this too Glen,, someone needs to find a way to make this part as i have 3 bottle stacks that are missing this part.. your reffering to the little Triangular peice with a pin in it that is engaged by the vend Cylinder I'm pretty sure..   I too had one out of a V110 and all excited and when I went ot put it in, Totally forgot it was reversed? Duh,, took me a while to realize that one..

WHo can come to the rescue on this one...  It's Part 29 and accessory peices that work with it on the diagram attached

[collecture]

I can check with my metal shop guy...what do you think would be a good number to reproduce?

[SIGNGUY]

I need a couple for sure..

not sure how big of a need, but look Glen said, it's essential if your converting an electric STack to Mechanical.

[MoonDawg]

       John needs 3, I will commit to 4. I don't think a run of 24 would be unreasonable.

[coke_and_stuff]

"I too had one out of a V110 and all excited and when I went ot put it in, Totally forgot it was reversed? Duh,, took me a while to realize that one.."

You can reverse them, grind off the weld on one side, punch out the pin, drive the pin back in on the other side. and for good measure a dab of JB weld and you are good to go. I have done this several times with no problems.

Joey

I may have 2-3 of these if they are needed.

Joey