A Vendo 39 and a Newbie

[RustyGold]

I picked up the V39 this morning.  All in all it looks pretty good.  Its filthy so it should look alot better after a cleaning. Turns out the lock had been drilled previously, so no issue inspecting the inside.   After a quick look, the three parts I know for sure that are missing are the coin box, the sheet metal cover over the condenser on the rear of the machine and the glass jar that collects the condensation.  Are any of these things a big deal to get a hold of?
Also, can the year of the machine be determined by the any if the numbers in the photo?

[mygoose101]

Both Funtronics and Soda Jerk Works will have the coin box. I would look for a used one on e-bay though so it will look from the same era. As for the jar a it's only a Mason jar so you can find that anywhere. if you get a new one just rub dirt on it so it looks old. I don't believe the 39's and a cover in the rear. That opening is just that, open.

[Kilroy]

The first number in the serial number row is the year the machine was built, the second and third number is the month.
The last 5 numbers are the actual serial numbers.

20512345 = built May 1952 s/n 12345


This works for round top Vendo's. I don't know if it holds true for later models. it does not for other Mfg's such as Cavalier, Westinghouse, etc

[ld26]

what happened with the 81? you passed it

[RustyGold]

what happened with the 81? you passed it

Didn't pass on it.  I need to go back after he gets it down from it's perch.  Its up higher than it looks and its going to be hairy getting it down.  Once its accessable I need more time than I had today to go through it.  He painted the machine himself (20 years ago) and he repaired a deep dent on the top using bondo in the process. The body was not that straight, and he said he wasnt sure if all the parts were there either.  On the upside he said it never had rust issues.  It just wasnt in the cards to snag the 81 today.  I need to do more homework on these and how his amature restoration, missing or incorrect parts affect the bottom line.

[jbrooks]

And the pump?

[RustyGold]

And the pump?

I have pics of it that I can upload when I'm back home.  Kind of a let down.  It's a pump this guy found in a swamp.  The heavy cast iron parts (base and top) and four corners are original along with what looked like an aluminum bezel around the glass.  He fabricated the missing sheet metal and other various parts.  He painted it yellow and put Shell decals on it and toped it with a repro shell globe.  Looked ok to me as it sat, but since I dont do gas pumps I was going to throw a pic up on here or oldgas.com and see what everyone thinks.

[RustyGold]

The first number in the serial number row is the year the machine was built, the second and third number is the month.
The last 5 numbers are the actual serial numbers.

20512345 = built May 1952 s/n 12345


This works for round top Vendo's. I don't know if it holds true for later models. it does not for other Mfg's such as Cavalier, Westinghouse, etc

  So this is a 1953. Thanks!

[mygoose101]

Ok, one rule that we have here is that you cannot leave 81's behind. No excuses. Even if you don't have a dolly or even a truck you walk the machine to the corner and flag someone down with a truck and pay him $25 to take both you and the machine home. Don't laugh, it's been done.

[Pixel]

Ok, one rule that we have here is that you cannot leave 81's behind. No excuses. Even if you don't have a dolly or even a truck you walk the machine to the corner and flag someone down with a truck and pay him $25 to take both you and the machine home. Don't laugh, it's been done.

Does that include 81 Transitionals?