Vendo HD56A

[Golfer Mike]

Hey guys...

As I was heading to town today, I saw a bottle machine outside of the local antique store. Stopping back on the way home I got a few more details.

It's a Vendo HD56A in respectable condition. The man says it runs, but we didn't try it.

The decorative door is in a little rough shape, some sections where the padding seems to be pulled out a bit, and about 1/3 of the door looks to have been spray painted. The metal outside the maching looks pretty good. The paint is flaking away, but I don't see any areas of rust or bubbling. The decorative door doesn't close. I don't know if it's missing the latch (or magnet) that keeps it shut. The gasket on the door looks to be in good shape though. All the pictures I've found online show that there is a metal door divider that seperates the decorative door and the innerds...I don't see one on this machine.

My main questions are...

1) What year is this machine (sn#IHF 019906)

2) I know it is made for 10oz bottle, but I'm not too hopeful about the availaibity of such in my area. Is it possible to set up the machine for 10oz, 12oz, or 20oz plastic bottles?

3) And most of all...is it worth the time and effort? I had the lead on a Vendo 63 in better shape, but the dealer wanted $300 for it...the man said I could have this one for $75 cash.

I thank you for any assistance you might be able to help me with.

Here are some pics I took.

[Golfer Mike]

front

[Golfer Mike]

Side

[Golfer Mike]

Tag

[bubba]

Hi, Welcome to the site. A much better machine can be had for the same money.  The machine is missing a few shelves. Decorators come up on ebay in good shape for less than that without bid. Its not a desirable machine to most.

[globalcompressors]

I'd probably pass. However, the light up sign is worth $50 or so.
If the refrigeration unit does in fact run, another bonus. You can use it in either a round top 56 or another square top 56. Find a good box that doesn't run...there you go!


Eric

[vendobaldtops]

I would pass on this machine as well.  This style sums up everything that was wrong with the 1970s.  

This was a so-called upscale machine?  For whom...the executive in the polyester suit, long collars, and bell bottoms?  Throw in a John Holmes moustache and you're good to go....

[sodaworks]

I too would pass on this one. For a little more cash you can pick up a clean 56.

[loman4ec]

I would pass as well. It looks like it is also missing the door that goes in between the decorator door and the inside. It is missing a bunch of shelves. They are repoped but for $20 each. Be patient and something better will come along. But if you are into parts I do agree  that if you are getting into this hobby really heavily and expect to have many machines it always pays to have a spare working cooling system handy. Then you could sell the stack, shelves, and light up sign on ebay and make your money back and have a free spare cooling system.

[dr galaga]

(vendobaldtops @ Jan. 27 2007,10:20)

QUOTE

I would pass on this machine as well.  

Ditto.
It's in pretty rough shape and it's not a "real" coin-op machine.

[loman4ec]

If the inner door was there it would be a real coin op machine. The money is deposited at the bottom of the bottle stack where the sylenoid usually is. It then basically works like an ideal slider coin mech.

[Golfer Mike]

I sure appreciate everyone's replys. I'm probably going to pass on this one, but...

How "inter-changable" are the workings of this machine, and the other various Vendo 56 models? If they're similar, would It be wise for me to keep looking for another 56 somewhere, and snatch up this one for parts?

Thanks again.

Mike

[collecture]

The only interchangable parts are the light, bottle stack, shelves and compressor assembly.
I'd pass on it though - parts for these machines are pretty common.

[Kevin C]

Hello

One other thing to think about.

When a seller says the machine runs this often mean when you plug it in the fan motors spin & make noise. Sellers thinks this is a running machine. The qustion that needs to be asked is this.  Does the machine cool?  If the answer is yes offer $ 50 for the machine, buy it, strip it & sell the parts on ebay.

Just a few thought from someone who has bought a few machines that run!!!!  

Running does not equal cooling

Kevin

[dr galaga]

(loman4ec @ Jan. 28 2007,12:55)

QUOTE

The money is deposited at the bottom of the bottle stack where the sylenoid usually is.

Oooops, I don't know what I was thinking.  I guess I shouldn't post when I'm tired!

[beazle00]

I'd pass and keep looking, as rare as the machines are up here, I wouldn't touch it unless i were looking for parts.

[MoonDawg]

That machine will never be in service again.  What is for sale is parts, as said before, parts that will come in handy later, like fan motors and thermostat, shelves etc. It's pretty obvious that the owner of this antique store is not real proud of this beauty and I'm betting he is willing to be VERY reasonable on his selling price. ("Just get it out of here")
        The bottle stack and compressor and light will take 15 minutes to remove and they don't take up a lot of storage space. Then take that ugly cabinet to recycle ASAP so you never have to look at it again.
         Parts.........parts...............parts................ '>

[aspbear1]

I would offer him 25.00 for the machine.  Take the shelves, light up sign and bottle stack out and if the compressor is cooling take it out also and stop at the local metal salvage yard on the way home.  

Now that is what I call a good deal '>

[rogerz]

(vendobaldtops @ Jan. 27 2007,8:20)

QUOTE

 Throw in a John Holmes moustache and you're good to go....

Vendobaldtops who's John Holmes? '>

[Kilroy]

Porn star famous in the 1970's