V-39 resto questions

Hello,
I recently picked up a V-39 locally that has been referbed? to a 7 up machine. This looks like it may have been done not so much as a resto but a change. So being inquisitive I pulled off the front sign and there was the coke in bottles in Primer black.
I am currently working on a 110 so I dont mind changing it back to a coke machine - the question is - should I. It looks good the way it is I wouldnt mind keeping it as its ALL in working order - just a few chips.
Does this take away from the value considering its already been redone?
Im just not sure - I know demand dictates it go back to coke.
Thanks for all your input
TK

[johnieG]

It was (and is) quite common for different local bottlers to buy other equipment and "refurbish" the machines to the brand they carry, for example I bought a '60's Vendo V90 machine from a local bottler (Faygo,Detroit.) it was painted white with a Faygo lightup & labels on the side, when I started to disassemble it to rewire, I discovered it was once a Coke machine, behind the light-up sign area it was still "Coke" red!
when I asked the Faygo's  vending tech. where it came from
he told me that Faygo had bought a bunch of machines from the Coke bottler up the street, & had them repainted to Faygo's colors. I've seen some "Pepsi" V39's on Ebay the same way, Pepsi blue & a screw-down sign over the "Coca-cola" logo. I think it's cool to know the working history of the machines and the places & people they've known! so either way you've got a nice bit of history there '>  (My personel opinion is keep it 7up if it's a nice looking "retrofit"  PS post a picture so we all can see!

[johnieG]

Here's a shot a "Pepsi" V39 you can see the sign that's screwed over the Coca-Cola logo.

In the world of antiques they always say that you can restore something a million times but it can be in original condition only once. The value of the item usually follows that mentality. EXCEPT for vending machines.... Restoring it back usually increases its value, but as mentioned before, you lose part of its history... I like a good story about my prized toys. It sounds like you already have some history, in my opinion I would keep it the way it is.... It is easy to buy a restored machine in perfect condition, but good stories are hard to come by.

Thank you for your input. I believe that I will just keep it the same for now even though its not original. The guy I got it from won it in a cribbage game in 73. Thats all I know but I like the different colors as I have a 110 and a glasco Slider original so I have had my share of white on red anyway.

Oh, also why I am at it, I am tirelessly looking for a door setup for this. I require door/handle/hinge if anyone has one. I have contact a few vendors but no one has the setup.

Thanks Again

[johnieG]

Hate to "plug" but have you tried the parts suppliers here?
like  Funtronics or classic sodaware? this is one of the more common repro parts around. '>