My first Round Top!

[BrianB]

I have finally broken into the world of Round Tops! ('bout time). I had a Cavalier 51 and really didn't consider that very "round topish". I sold it and continued dreaming of a Vendo 56 or 81......Alas, none were to be had for a "decent" price and close by. Unitl now!!

I found this gem on Ebay with a few days left and located only 3 hours drive from my house up in Kokomo, IN. I put a token bid in not expecting to win. I came back a few days later and upped my ante to $325 and left it alone. I completely forgot about the auction. On the night that it ended my wife happened to be on the internet and I asked her kindly not to log off so that I could fart around on Ebay for a bit.

So.....I log on and go directly to "My Ebay" to check my messages and do some other checks/feedback updates. As I scroll down I notice that I need to leave feedback for two items and that I also need to pay for one item!

WHAT!?!?!?! '>

So I scroll down and am very surprised to say the least that I am the proud new owner of a Vendo 56RT for only $306.23!!! I emailed the seller to let him know that I am fairly local and that I woud be able to drive up to Kokomo on Saturday to pick the machine up. Two days go by with no word from the seller and then finally on Friday he gave me a call and said that Saturday would be fine and that he would meet me halfway in Indianapolis!

The transfer went very quick and easy. My wife and daughter were along for the ride and were very surprised at how small the 56 was compared to the other monsters that I've hauled home in the past. We got it home and out of the Expedition and with the aid of my women-folk got the 56 down in the basement where I could work on it more comfortably.

The machine is missing some parts. It has a suprisingly low amount of dings on the main body. The top of the main door however looks like it has been through WWIII! I shouldn't have much trouble banging it out.

It is missing the Coin Door and Coin Mech and all of the associated parts. It has the bottle stack and one Bottle Shelf. The compressor deck is dirty and needs to be fully checked out.

I tore the machine apart and wasn't very surprised to find........You guessed it, the sheet metal that seperates the main compartment from the compressor deck compartment is swiss cheese! No prob! This will be a very fun restoration seeing as how it will definitely be a keeper.

If anybody has any 56 expertise to lend, I would appreciate it. When it comes to large door mechs, I'm stupid and I've never fooled with a mechanical stack before. Thanks in advance!  '>

[collecture]

Nice score - especially with the glass bottle door!
I can help you with the mech when the time comes.

[Jim]

Congrats Brian!
    '>

[coke_and_stuff]

I emailed the seller on that machine and they said it would be fine if I had a shipper cme and pick it up, So I bid 10 minutes later I get an email saying buyer needs to pick up with cash. So I retracted my bid. She needs some love but she is what she is, Congrats!!!

Joey

[davethebirdman]

Well Done Brian

Welcome to the 56 owners club....

Dave

[90grad]

Brian,

Nice deal!  The mechanical stack is very straightforward to work with.  You won't have any problem at all. '>

[Eric]

Congrats! The 56 is a great first roundtop! Nice score!

[sodaworks]

Good find and local too.

[vendobaldtops]

Great catch...I have had four Vendo 56 RTs and despite the outside WW2 Blitz bombing, the innnards of yours aren't half bad..I've definitely seen (had) worse..and again, glass door is way cool!

[MCarter]

I found the coin door.

[Creighton]

Great score!! Any questions just ask. If you get a chance could you post some pics of the bottle door backside? Is it 2 or 3 layers of glass or plexi?
Thanks!
Creighton

[aspbear1]

i really like the size of these.  Good find.

[cvb141]

That will certainly be a great looking machine when you are done.
Jerry

[SIGNGUY]

Congrats on a great little machine... Like the saying goes, you'll always remember your first time (with a round top machine that is...)
it sounds like your up for the challenge on the body work, can't wait to see it when done.
I have a restored one as well with glass door... let me know if you need pictures or description of something!
Welcome to the V56RT club!!! '>

[BrianB]

Thanks for the support, all. I didn't realize until I got home and started doing a little more in depth research that having the glass bottle door was a nice feature and more desired.

Creighton -
My bottle door is comprised of three layers of glass. Two outer and one inner. I'll either replace it with cut to fit tempered glass or just buy the Plexi pieces from Soda Jerk Works or Funtronics. Here's a picture of it broken down.

[cormy]

Well you have your work cut out for you with this one! But all the more fun!! I have never really went after these since they live in the shadow of thier big brother (81), but I think I would actually rather have one of these, I love the size.

What are you planning on doing with the banged in top of the cabinet door?

[johnieG]

Congrat's on a nice find!

[BrianB]

I'll end up pounding out the dents and finishing it off with some body filler and a lot of sanding/shaping!

[sodaworks]

Brian, That 56 will clean up nicely.