Vendo 81 vs Vendo 39?

[Kaleid20]

Vendo 81 vs Vendo 39...which one would you want as a keeper? I hear how the Vendo 81's are a great investment piece.

[Chris]

81. It's a multiple flavor machine. Nicer looking too.

[SIGNGUY]

It's a matter of functionality.. if you just want a nice display vintage cooler to put in the corner , then both look great.
but if your looking for function and plan on using it.. the Vendo 81 Hands Down is the winner...

The Vendo 39 is fine if your only vending the newer 8 oz small bottles.

but if you want to vend larger bottles, and have mutli selection, the Vendo 81 is your winner and of course has a little nicer curb apeal in my opionion

[msanborn]

I agree, the Vendo 81, no question about it

[Kilroy]

It's your choice. Both are nice machines, and ooze  1950's Americana.

I plan on getting both.

[stburger]

I have both and I think the 81 is a more versatile machine and the light up door is awesome looking at night.

[Kaleid20]

What about as a starter machine? Im leaning toward the 39 because it's a bit cheaper. My caveat is that I will be using it and hate to be limited to just 8 oz bottles. Ive been told I can modify it though with a different drum which will allow this.

[Zach]

Thats an easy one! Just get both! But if you can't then it depends on what your looking for. I have both and honestly I love the Vendo 39 more, to me it just has more Americana to it. However, as an everyday use machine the 81 is far superior. But 39's can be had cheap and honestly I think the 81's have hit their climax because of the TV shows and my personal opinion is that I believe that given some time the prices of the 81's will come down. Sure you can vend only one type of soda from the 39, just store whatever else you want to store in the pre cooling area and if you want something else just open the door to get it, after all these are just expensive refrigerators. Just my opinion.

[Larry]

Get a Cavalier 72 or 96.  They are cheaper than an 81.  If you want the option of multiple flavors and bottle sizes, that would be my choice.  They still are round tops and look great.  I like them because they are white/red.  It freaks people out when they see a white Coke machine.

[MoonDawg]

Im leaning toward the 39 because it's a bit cheaper.

        If the 81 is only a little more..............bite the bullet and grab it!

[mznb1u]

Welcome to SMC.com!

My V-39 was my first round-top and I like the way it looks.  But, if you plan on using the machine for parties, etc, the V-81 is the way to go.  As Kilroy said, they are both great machines because people who were around in the 50's and early 60's can remember both of them.  I like the V-39 all red with the "Ice Cold" embossing and the V-81 with the white/red combination.  If you have an option on both and the prices are close, I would grab the 81 as there seem to be a lot more 39's available.

You can get a reproduction drum for the V-39 that will allow 12 oz. bottles but if you want to vend more than one flavor you would still be essentially playing Russian Roulette with the vending because you can not spin the drum until you find something you want and 12 oz bottles are loaded top first.

  Tim

[BrianS]

Have to go along with the group and vote for the 81.  I like both, but being able to see the bottles and the light up door are great assets for the 81.  I do think the 39 is easier to restore as there are a lot fewer parts and pieces to deal with.  I would recommend picking up an 81 for yourself this spring.  Spend a couple months cleaning it up, then get the wife a 39 for Xmas.

[Slapshot42]

       If the 81 is only a little more..............bite the bullet and grab it!

I did exactly what Glen said " Bite the bullet" .  I wanted one for over a year, finally got the seller to a reasonable price.  Loaded up the truck and trailer and took him a sweaty wad of cash!.  Had to buy the wife a purse too... but it all worked out!!

[flippa]

Buy them both

[Swachtelncc]

Agree with Flippa, buy both

[Kaleid20]

It's probably gonna be the 81. I just like that variety. I drink Diet Coke, my kids Root Beer, and mix in Dr Pepper. My kids wont go near the 39 if I stock full of Diet Coke.

[Kilroy]

If i were a betting person, I'd lay down a Benjamin that you will look for a 39 after you find your 81

[Kaleid20]

Ha...youre probably right...but we'll see how much i have to drop on the 81. Because i dont see my wife letting a 2nd machine in the door unless its free.

[bcharlton]

Both are sought after machines.  The Vendo 39 should be around $500-$700 cheaper thanthe Vendo 81 in similar condition.

If you love the hobby as much as many of us do, you will end up having both.  That is what happend to me.  The V39 is not very practical due to the fact the finding the 8oz bottles are getting more and more difficult.

Good luck with your decision.

BC

[Kilroy]

The 8oz bottles are readily available at Sam's Club, a least in the midwest.  you can also find  8 oz bottles of Sprite, diet coke and Dr Pepper