I'll be interested to hear John's thoughts on the machine. It seems odd to me that a rare version of a professionally restored machine would end up in an auction. Someone put enough into it that I would think it would be held onto or if it had to be sold, it would seem that you could easily get more money by selling it direct. Its rare enough and in such nice condition that I would think a little word of mouth would find you a buyer.
Thanks for the kind words guys.. funny to see my name in the auction as the "Renown" John Nelson.. Funny
Here is what I know on the machine...
It was bought at an online auction by a guy in CA along with an 81D Coke about 3-4 years ago... he bought them site unseen for a Hefty Sum.. He thought he was buying two Fully restored Machines... but wanted me to go through them and make sure they where perfect... so I picked them up from the auction house rep at the Chicago Fall show that same year... some of you guys saw that 7up at my booth and drooled over it as it did look nice on the outside but as the pictures show during my restoration MANY shortcuts where taken...
SO I brought them to my shop and sent him very detailed pictures of all machines and he decided the 7up should be Green and white so agreed to a full restoration on that one... the Coke 81D although very nice, but again an outside restoration, had belt line rust issues and needed a full restoration as well.
So as you can see by the photos I did restore the 7up top to bottom and it was an Authentic 7up machine, no patches , welds ,bondo or any of the tricks to hide such things.. she was original. However it did not have the VMC bezel or the VMC tag and the owner was fine keeping the Vendo one on that machine... he also didn't want the Stainless steel banding as didn't want to alter the original machine at all so we went with the plastic molding, (which is not my favorite, but customer is always right). The Previous "Restorer" had his name on the inside door and I was shocked to find all the shortcuts taken when I took it apart... I won't mention names publicly but very surprising as I've seen his work at the Chicago Show every year I've been going and now makes me think twice. but no worries as it was going to get done right in my shop.
So long story short, I did my full restoration on both machines and both where perfect. I boxed them both up and sent them to the owner in CA. He was in the process of moving and said they would sit in his garage till the house was done. About a year or 2 later he asked if I knew anyone interested in buying the 7up.. I believe I even posted it here on the SMC and also on my website that was for sale, but of course at a premium, I think he wanted 10k for it. Then about 8 months ago, he contacted me again and said he still had them still in the box and was trying to sell it as he had a lead on a VMC 81 Royal Crown. another month went by and I contacted him about the Royal Crown to see if he got it or if he'd share the lead with me if he was not going to pursue.. and then he informed me that he got "Bad News" from the doctor and he was going to put everything he had in an auction... didn't know which one and that was the last I heard from him... Next thing I know I heard at the April Chicago show from someone that my name was included on an auction for a 7up 81.. and now this listing... so that's the story as I know it... The name listed on a previous post is not the seller I was dealing with, I believe he put these into an already set up auction. Auctions are funny,, and I too am surprised at the low bid... I wish I was watching as I would have been bidding as this was the real deal!!!
