Favorite soda machines.

[Pixel]

I bet everyone here has a favorite soda machine. Maybe more than one. This thread is dedicated to the favs. Which ones do you like best and why? Doesn't matter if it's a 30's chest cooler or the newest gizmo, or if it's branded. Doesn't even have to be one you own. I'll get the ball rolling.

Here's my absolute favorite.

Dixie-Narco DN5000 GFV Glass Front Vendor.

Soda machines always fascinated me with their mechanics. Unfortunately, very few of them can be watched in action if you don't own or maintain them. The DN5000 (maybe aka DN5591) is quite an exception. All of the rows and columns of beverages can be seen. The version commonly branded by Pepsi is just a drop model, but the Coca-Cola model is something special. It has a conveyor belt that rides on an elevator system. It moves vertically and rolls your drink out to you. Watching this machine work is one of the neatest things I've ever seen.

I guess in the end it's just a gimmick, but it's quite effective. I've bought Cokes out of it mainly to watch it work.

That's why its my favorite. AFAIK, this machine is less that 5 years old, so won't be much chance to own one anytime soon, at least not for me anyway. Still it's a neat thing.

[Lulu]

My favorite machine is pretty common, a V-39.  It's painted light blue and had a Pepsi sign screwed over the embossed Coca Cola.  When I was a kid, I use to go into the local hardware store and buy a bottle of pop for a dime from this machine.  Several years back, the store closed and had an auction.  I bought the machine for $200 (I think the auctioneer ran me up, too!!)  Anyway, I took it home, plugged it in, and everything still worked--even have the key.  It's not a rare or unique machine, but it's special to me.  Thanks to everyone here, I'll be able to restore it and bequeath it in my will.  I guess I'm a sentimental sap.

[Bob K]

Westinghouse Select-O-Matics are my favorite style of machine.  

Just a beautiful design, with that cool selection knob and art deco look.  Unfortunately, they are a bit more complicated inside than the typical slant shelf machine.

Bob

[coke_and_stuff]

My favorite is the Vendo and VMC 81s, I prefer the large coin door models over the small but the small still looks killer. One day I hope to have all the versions.

Joey

[Kevin C]

Hey

My favorite right now is my V-126.  It has 14 shelves so I can offer a lot of different "Product" in the garage. If you have the room these big machines are great. I would love to get a V-238. Plus i would like to get a can rack for one of these big machines.

I always wanted a crank handle machine & the V-110 is the ultimate model. I am just having a hard time deciding if I should put into operation right now with the silly red/white/blue pepsi paint & the embossed coke on the front or just wait until I can paint it.

Ok  V-126 is my favorite!

Kevin

[BryanH]

I'm a square top guy... good value, real functional and all that storage room on top (rim-shot for 'Kito please '> ).  Of those I think I like the Cavalier USS models (although I've never even seen one! or woned one.. yet)  I like the idea that they can vend cans and bottles on the back patio.

Also like the VMC77 and VMC100.  Both are compact with lots of choices.

Also like sliders (which I've never owned yet)...

Also like ..... (you get the picture)

[Eric]

I would have to say I like (and have) the Westinghouse pre-war standard cooler... Not too small and not too large, everything embossed, has the enclosed front with the deco design ribs along
the front and deco handles. Was a great little workhorse due to the huge numbers that can still
be found today at a reasonable price, What a testimonial (or what a sales force Coca-Cola had).
Next along those lines would be the Quikold Standards (the answer for about every other soda brand out there in this style cooler) Would love, LOVE!!! to own another brand in this cooler style.........

Eric

[loman4ec]

I am a big fan of the square tops as well. My favorite is the early CSS-64's. I am also a fan of the ideal sliders. They are so simple. But of course I would love to own a Coke 81D. I am going nuts waiting for my Jacobs 56 to be delivered. One week from today left. These past two weeks have been long.

[Pat Pixley]

Well I've got to go with every one else I like the smaller odd
Sq. top machines  my favorite has to be the Cavalier line.

 Plus I like the older Ice chest coolers.

 Pat  

[glassbottlesrule]

I really like the select-o-matics too.  I will own  wb-60 one day.  Another favorite is the Cavalier 55.  I think it is a slick machine especially the two-flavour.  I just haven't found one I am willing to pay for yet.

[dr galaga]

The best I can say is square tops up to the early 60's.  Slant-shelves are nice, but selectomatics and early push buttons are cool too!

[L Hunter]

I agree with BryanH the Cavalier USS models not necessarily because of the look, but because everyone can get what they want, and to me that's what vending is all about.

Larry

[globalcompressors]

I'd have to say the dial select Westinghouse as well.

I remember when Mom would haul me down to the hair salon when she was getting a "doo". I would drive all the ladies crazy, doing the "twist", twist left, twist right, twist all night! Come to think of it, she made me stay home, with Dad, after a couple trips. Hmmm......


Eric

[jasmine64]

I'm fond of the squaretops, but this Cavalier 22 is starting to grow on me.

Hope one day to get a smaller version like a master or junior.

[Kilroy]

For practicality, a V56 or 81  round top is on my wish list. For sheer beauty in simple lines, it's a V39.

[BrianB]

I'm partial to the Cavalier 55D and the Westinghouse WC-44SK. Both are what I consider "transitional" machines. Both are squaretop but retain some roundtop qualities.

The WC-44SK more so. Seeing as how it's still all mechanical vend with a crank handle but can still vend evrything from the 8 1/2 oz bottle all the way to the 12oz can.

[Pixel]

Another favorite of mine is the Cavalier USS-(8-)64, which I see has a mention or two. I haven't seen many of these machines, but they are nice. Vends bottles and cans, and that neat selection dial setup. Cans from a side door-how many machines can do that?

[DanV]

I have a USS-64  I bought last year for $200. I love offering 8 selections and the 16.9 plastic , 12 oz bottles, 12 oz cans, 8 oz little cokes--very versatile. I actually LIKE the woodgrain .My kids say it is so 70's and ugly but as soon as they bring a friend over the first thing they do is get a pop and show off the machine!!!'>

[Pixel]

Quote (DanV @ Nov. 14 2005,10:23)

I have a USS-64  I bought last year for $200. I love offering 8 selections and the 16.9 plastic , 12 oz bottles, 12 oz cans, 8 oz little cokes--very versatile. I actually LIKE the woodgrain .My kids say it is so 70's and ugly but as soon as they bring a friend over the first thing they do is get a pop and show off the machine!!!'>

I actually tried to put a 16.9 oz plastic bottle in my CSS-8-64, but it dosen't fit in a useable manner.

[Skeleton Man]

I've always wanted to own a V63 or a V56.. preferably the former..  I'd also love to own one of the larger USS machines.. (no particular model, just as long as it's red '> )

[KreKol]

Pixel Said:

Quote

Soda machines always fascinated me with their mechanics. Unfortunately, very few of them can be watched in action if you don't own or maintain them. The DN5000 (maybe aka DN5591) is quite an exception. All of the rows and columns of beverages can be seen. The version commonly branded by Pepsi is just a drop model, but the Coca-Cola model is something special. It has a conveyor belt that rides on an elevator system. It moves vertically and rolls your drink out to you. Watching this machine work is one of the neatest things I've ever seen

I have seen both versions the machine you are talking about.  It is cool to watch but it is one machine I would not buy especially if you plan to have it at a site and sell products from it.  I have seen people shake the machine, not hard to the point the machine is rocking back and forth but a good vibration.  As soon as you get the right vibration (usually with in 10 to 20 seconds) the soda bottles will start popping out of holders.  I guarantee you can empty the machine out in less the five minutes.  Cool looking machine, BAD Engineering.

Right now my favorite is my La Crosse CCB-64-8.  The Refrigeration Unit came with factory attached connections to hook up gages and to charge/discharge the unit, and the connections are at the front of the machine for easy access.  In fact everything is easy to get to and change.  You can change the lights, starters, adjust the shelves, ect…. without unscrewing a screw.  La Crosse knew how to make a Soda Machine.

[Pixel]

On the DN5k - It seems made cheap too. Most of the older machines have solid steel columns holding the drinks, this thing only has thin metal tubing like the coolers in Wal-Mart.

I can see your point about people shaking it. I don't think I'd sell drinks though. I'd be happy to just let it keep my drinks cold and watch them move through the machine. I'll give it this, the machine cools a Coke pretty well.

Some of my least favorite soda "machines" are those open front coolers in stores. They look useless because they just let the store's air right into the front of the cooling area and very rarely do the drinks get more than somewhat cool.

[Skeleton Man]

The DN5K looks like quite a cool machine.. first time I've seen a machine with "happy hour".. (Manual)

[johnieG]

I'm a Vendo fan, my first machine is still my favorite, my little VF56/Faygo, still running after all these years, (7+) out in the garage keeping the bottles cold & the lightup sign's always there to welcome you when the garage door rolls up! My wife's 7-year old's favorite is the Westinghouse/Coke  Select-a-Matic in the basment, really lights it up on family movie night! and it'll vend both bottles & cans!

[Pixel]

Looks like the Westinghouse has a single selector dial on it. That's a really neat setup, I haven't seen one like that before.

*correction* I think I might have seen one before in a photo.