H80A Vendo Machine

[ledcollector]

Hi,

I have a Vendo Coke machine with the model number H80A.  I'd like to know the year of manufacture?  It looks late '60s, but I'm merely guessing.  I also have a later Coke machine and was able to get that date (1977) from Dixie.  If anyone can help with this one, I'd truly appreciate it.

Thank you,

john

[davet426]

Welcome... A bit of advice from another noob, so as not to slow our experts on advice...

pics pics and more pics '>

Thanks and enjoy

[ledcollector]

I will post some pictures later.  A good thought...stupid of me not to think of it.  Thank you.  Nevertheless, since posting this, I snooped around the internet a bit more and found that the serial number gives the year.  If I am understanding it correctly, it (my specific machine) was made in 1969.  Furthermore, I misread the label....it is model H90A, not 80A.

One thing, though....when I attempt to read the (fading) tag on my Dixie Narco machine, I discover their numbers don't indicate any years in code.  I know this because a family member worked at Coke and checked with Dixie Narco regarding my machine.  The representative was able to tell him that my machine was made in 1977 and only 1977.  I can't interpret anything on the tag as indicative of the year '77.  I suppose the serial number code (year/month/actual serial#) only applies to Vendo tags?

At any rate, I'm guessing the H90A was made for a bunch of years with cosmetic changes here and there.  Is this correct?  I'll post pics when I get a chance, but I'm sure they'll be quite *un*exciting to the collectors found here.

Thanks again,

john

[halehouse]

Don't underestimate the pics.  People here love ANY pictures.  No snobs here.

[ledcollector]

Hello again,

Here is a photo of the machine.  I'm a poor photographer but perhaps I can learn what is not right (or original) with it.

Thanks to all in advance,

john

[halehouse]

That looks pretty clean in the picture.  You have a stylestar sign which is good and it looks like the "3-d" light up version too.  In my opinion the woodgrain would look better red. Mine used to have the woodgrain door too, except the grain didn't run left to right.  What is on the sides?

[ledcollector]

I agree about the wood grain, but I'm afraid to attempt to remove it.  It definitely looks like it was added later.  The fact that it runs horizontal seems odd to me, as well.  I believe the door to be solid red under the wood grain.  Here is a side view:

[vendobaldtops]

Welcome to SMC!

Based on the coke logos on the side, it appears that your machine actually comes comes from the early 1960s...cool!  In 1964, I believe the logo changed to Things go better with coke...Anyhoo, to remove the woodgrain, you can use a heat gun (maybe a blow dryer would work too) and you can melt that plastic woodgrain back to the mid-60s.  

The stylestar sign is cool but you could also change it out for an early 60s version sign.  By the way, does your machine have a panel light for the stylestar sign and is there a light inside the bottle door.  

Nice machine!  Looks like the word Vendo is embossed too which would signal an early 60s machine...
shawweet!

[ledcollector]

The stylestar sign is lighted.  Another thing I noticed is that there is a hole on the top of the door and a socket (that appears to hold a small bulb) hanging below it.  It looks like that missing bulb should go in that hole, but if that were the case, why is there a fluorescent tube light?  I sort of like the stylestar panel because I have a large matching one on the opposite wall of the room that must have been an exterior sign back in the '60s.

As the machine sits now, it is not running.  I have everything needed to make it run, but I'm thinking the wiring harness should be changed first.  The wires going into (what looks like a junction box) are bared near the box.  Other than that, the only missing part is that tiny bulb mentioned above.

As for the bottle door....it doesn't appear to light up.  Maybe I'm overlooking something?

I will carefully remove the wood grain.  It was obviously added later.

The word Vendo is embossed.

Two more questions:

Is the original sign the flat white one with Drink Coca Cola in script?

I read somewhere that the first digits of the serial number indicate the date.  Mine clearly says 910....does this mean October 1959 instead of '69?

Thanks for all the help,

john

[globalcompressors]

If I'm not mistaken...StyleStar series are 1966 year models. I think I read it somewhere, in one of my manuals.

If anyone else knows, chime in!

Eric

[vendobaldtops]

I believe it is October 1959 and that is was updated later on in the 60s with a new face plate (original could have been cracked) and an "updated" door that was simply rolled over with woodgrain..yes, the stylestar did come out in the mid-60s.

[ledcollector]

Admittedly, I know next to nothing about soda machines, but......

I think it is October '59 with the changes as stated by the poster above.  I was guessing '69 because of my lack of knowledge of the hobby.  

I was told the stylestar came out in 1966.

john