Thanks for all the nice comments guys! I found the machine listed on the Detroit CL as a vintage candy machine on the first day of the listing at about 10:30PM. They had listed one picture of the front of the machine that had me confused as the base looked like a Rowe but the top had the Fresh Candy windows of the Stoner. I e-mailed immediately and said I was interested and wanted to come see the machine. Heard from them at about 4:30PM the next day and I drove right out to see it. I was short on cash so I gave them a $20 and my business card to hold it and they agreed to pull the listing.
I got lucky on this one because they listed it on the Detroit site and they were a bit of a drive from Detroit but not too far from me. Just goes to show you that there are still some gems hiding out there! The story is that the seller's sister found it in the carriage house of an old Detroit Mansion back in the 60's. They inherited it along with a lot of other stuff when her sister passed and it has been sitting in their barn collecting dust. They seemed very happy that the machine was going to someone who was planning on restoring it as it was their sister's plan to restore it but she did not have the money or the know-how. When I mentioned that I collected soda machines, they mentioned that they had a small machine but it turned out to be a Coinco CT-48. Oh well, I guess I have to keep on looking for that Vendo 44 but at least I can cross the Stoner Theatre off the list. My Stoner candy collection is complete with a Jr with Gum Wheel, 180 w/gum wheel and square mirror, 180 with Fresh Candy and art deco mirror and now an old Theatre! Need to find a pastry machine.
Eric--The finished is indeed painted in a two step faux finish process. The lighter brown is the base and the darker brown is the top coat. That would be hard to duplicate but I think it could be done.
Kilroy--The scratch offs are from the game that they had in the 70's that had pictures of old cars on them. Its funny that you mentioned collectors because I am something of a car nut and I had everyone of these tickets when I was a kid!
Off to clean the pontoon boat!
Tim
