Pepsi 81 VMC, number of fin columns, whats original?

[Ezra]

Although I find the above information informative. In the big picture I really don't think it matters except for perhaps maybe the RC and a 7up. I have three 81's right now scattered throughout the house and I couldn't even tell you what vents they have.

I have a highly collectible 1969 Camaro SS in the garage. A previous owner installed a 4 cyl. In the big picture I really don't think it matters.

[BONOVOX]

I bought a really beautiful restored Vendo 80 a couple of years ago.... everything on the machine was done with perfection, EXCEPT for the lettering.  A vinyl decal was used on the embossed lettering instead of paint.  I lose sleep over that vinyl every night! 

I understand back in the day they didn't hand paint the letters like the do on restorations today, but at least hand painting them is still using paint like the did when they screened them on.

I'm not a purist, but I like to be at least close 

[RustyGold]

I understand back in the day they didn't hand paint the letters like the do on restorations today, but at least hand painting them is still using paint like the did when they screened them on.

I'm not a purist, but I like to be at least close 

Did I they hand paint the lettering on early 39s? 

[MoonDawg]

Coke 81 A only had the large single vent

Coke 81 B came with both large single and split vent cabinets

Coke 81 C from what I have seen only came with the early large single vent cabinets

Coke 81 D only had the split vent cabinet

     
           Good info on the VMC's but I have NEVER owned or seen an 81B with split vents. I do know the 80 had both.
           I'll be watching more closely now, thanks Joey.

[MoonDawg]

Did they hand paint the lettering on early 39s? 

         This may be a subject for a whole new thread, rather than hijack Bill's.

         Silkscreening would have been the method of doing most of the lettering during production.
         But I was told by a retired serviceman that when they re-painted these machines they used a hard rubber roller on the embossed letters.
         I purchased a roller but never got good consistancy because of paint thickness. My pinstriper saw this roller  and wants to try his luck with it. I'll pass on any positive results in a new post.  Now back to the vents.........

[coke_and_stuff]

There was a unrestored 81B with a split vent cabinet that popped up here a few years ago. Maybe it was the victim of a cabinet swap? The tag read B but that would be a easy thing to swap over with 4 screws.

Ben Smith out of Springfield, MO had used a hard rubber roller, he had stencils he made that he laid over the embossed logo and then applied the paint using a roller.

The roller had guides coming off both ends so that he could not change the angles of roller as he was applying the paint. It was by far the best painted embossed lettering that I've seen yet. I tried it a few times and failed and went back to my brush.

[Eric]

Yeah Ben was awesome... I have a Coca-Cola Cooler book from the 40s and it has a section where you could buy the stencils and the large roller to “refurbish” your cooler
and it also shows a little rubber stamp used for the trademark text you would place in the tail of the C in Coca-Cola.
Ben's roller, like Joey said, was modified will little wheels on either end to keep it from being uneven, he' used One shot sign painters paint and was a master at lettering
machines, coolers and picnic coolers, he was a retired AC guy, made his own cooler lids, tubs and catchers. He was great guy, loved talking with him, he loved the hobby.

Yes sorry getting way off track..

[MoonDawg]

and it also shows a little rubber stamp used for the trademark text you would place in the tail of the C in Coca-Cola.

      Wow, great idea.   Creighton can you make these for us?

[GreenMo]

     
           Good info on the VMC's but I have NEVER owned or seen an 81B with split vents. I do know the 80 had both.
           I'll be watching more closely now, thanks Joey.

Same here owned and seen many 81Bs but have never seen one with split vents.

[coke_and_stuff]

Probably a case of a switched out cabinet on the 81b.