I have mentioned in the past that my wife's family were Coca Cola bottlers for 4 generations. Over the years (especially since I have been collecting machines), we have been gifted various items from the old family business. Mainly pictures and bottles--stuff like that. Well, we got a call today that my wife's great aunt was moving and downsizing. Her great uncle (passed away a few years back) ran the vending side of the family Coke business back in the day. My wife's great aunt apparently did not know until recently that I was collecting old Coca Cola machines. In any event, she wants me to come by next weekend and pick up three machines
that my wife's great uncle decided to keep from the business. He apparently had all three machines restored back to factory finish by their vending department before he took them home many years ago and they have not been used much since--only for parties.
She wanted my wife and I to have them because they never had any kids and she wanted to make sure that they would stay in the family to keep part of the family's Coca Cola tradition for future generations.
Her great aunt could not send pictures (no computer) and really did not know a lot about the machines but was able to get me enough information to determine that one is a Vendo V-44 and one is a Victor C-14. All she could tell me about the third machine was that you could buy a Coca Cola from either side of the machine for 10 cents. I am guessing (hoping
) that this is a Cavalier C-102 unless you guys know of another machine that is like this! She said my wife's great uncle really liked this one and actually built an archway in a wall in the basement so you could get a Coke by the pool table and card table in one room or in the family room on the other side.
I checked with my father-in-law because he worked at the company every summer until he graduated from college. He told me the following:
Vendo V-44--this machine had been located in the company's executive office area so they would not have to run down to the cafeteria to get a Coke.
Victor C-14--this was used in the company cafeteria as the checkout counter at the end of the line. He remembered it as being the embossed red and white paint job.
He really did not know anything about the third machine but did know that his uncle had kept a machine that was originally installed on the pump island at a busy Detroit area service station back in the day.
I won't be able to get down to see them and pick them up until next Saturday but I am stoked! I will get some pictures up as soon as I can and will definitely let you know if machine number 3 is a Cav C-102!
Tim
