Rookie question for the Model number VF56F-J

[DT400rider]

I trying to understand what I have so I can learn more about it.

Is my machine called a Vendo 56?  The plate says it made by Vendolator company. 

I see that there is a Vendo and Vendolator company, are they the same company?

 

[Kilroy]

you have a VMC 56, or if you prefer a Vendolator 56. It

Vendo and Vendolator  were two separate companies, but merged in thwe later 1950's ( 1956 I think)

 Vendo also produced  56 bottle machines  for coke, in roundtop and square top models. a Vendo 56  is used to describe a machine manufatured by Vendo.

[DT400rider]

you have a VMC 56, or if you prefer a Vendolator 56. It

Vendo and Vendolator  were two separate companies, but merged in thwe later 1950's ( 1956 I think)

 Vendo also produced  56 bottle machines  for coke, in roundtop and square top models. a Vendo 56  is used to describe a machine manufatured by Vendo.

Thanks Kilroy!
Here is the details I found on a website.

In 1956, Vendorlator merged with its former rival, the Vendo Company of Kansas City, Missouri. Prior to the merger, Vendo worked almost exclusively with the Coca-Cola Company, so the combination of the two companies made them the primary supplier of vendors to the soft drink market. Within two years, the companies were completely consolidated and operating out of the Fresno location. In 1988 Vendo became a subsidiary of the Sanden Corporation of Japan. Vendo moved its headquarters to Dallas, Texas in 2005 and the name changed to SandenVendo America Inc. They still operate today as a manufacturer of vending machines, in addition to commercial freezers, and automotive air-conditioning systems.

[collecture]

They merged in 1956, but continued using the Vendorlator name through the early to mid-1960's as evident by the prevalence of VMC square tops.

[rayg]

Nice first machine,  Always like the 7Up ones.

[BrianS]

The round top version of the 56 actually says something like "Vendo manufactured by Vendolator" on it.

Just out of curiousity, is there much value to the 56ST in terms of parts?  There is a rough but functional one near me for next to nothing.  Isn't the cooling deck in the 56 squaretops the same as in the roundtops?  And does anyone have any thoughts on why they modified the 56 cooling deck to move the refrigerant lines to the left side of the cabinet when they had almost the same setup for the 81 already developed with the lines going up the right hand side?  Sure would be nice to pick up a replacement cooling unit out of a 56ST and drop it into an 81.