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Soda Machines, Coolers & Dispensers => Pre 60's Machines & Coolers => Topic started by: coke_and_stuff on May 22, 2015, 12:14:36 am



Title: Early Coke Vendo 81D
Post by: coke_and_stuff on May 22, 2015, 12:14:36 am
While moving machines around my shop yesterday getting a few 81s ready to be delivered to their new home I discovered something very interesting.

I picked up this rough Vendo 81D a few months ago, I noticed it had a large vent cabinet, I didn't think much of it and figured it was swapped out years ago. I sat it in the corner of my shop and forgot about it.

Yesterday before I loaded it, I looked it over a little harder. First thing that caught my eye was the red bottle door gasket, of the 50-60 Vendo 81Ds that I've owned I don't ever remember a red bottle door gasket. I looked at the wire for the bottle door light, Like many 81s that Ive owned that had their cabinets switched over the years the wire was always cut and spliced back together. This one was intact and never cut. The refrigeration unit was a large compressor early style unit often found in many A and B model 81s.

I pulled the numbers off the tag and did a little more research. According to Vendo Records D models were built in 1957-1958

The number off the Tag Reads 61121071 first three digits are the date code 6 = 1956, 11 = November

Year       Coca Cola Vendo H81 Serial Numbers

1955      #1001 – 11779 model H81A, VT1B Tecumseh cooling system

1956      #11780 – 21213 model H81B, Two-tone paint scheme, VK1 Kelvinator cooling system

1957      #21214 – 33162 model H81D, New coin mechanism, larger coin door, VT1D Tecumseh cooling system, bottle mechanism face painted Antique White, bottle door “Have a Coke” medallion White and Gold

1958      #33163 – 37737 VT1E Tecumseh cooling system, small “Coke” arrow decals added to the top 4 selections of the bottle mechanism face

1959      Discontinued

In my opinion this was one of the first D model Cokes built and they were using leftover parts off the B models

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/coke_and_stuff/early%20V81%201_zpshleihoco.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/coke_and_stuff/media/early%20V81%201_zpshleihoco.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/coke_and_stuff/early%20V81%202_zpsa782w8dm.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/coke_and_stuff/media/early%20V81%202_zpsa782w8dm.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/coke_and_stuff/early%20V81%203_zpsdyprbp0u.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/coke_and_stuff/media/early%20V81%203_zpsdyprbp0u.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/coke_and_stuff/early%20V81_zps1hk2tzfy.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/coke_and_stuff/media/early%20V81_zps1hk2tzfy.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/coke_and_stuff/early%20V81%204_zpsqijqo9r2.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/coke_and_stuff/media/early%20V81%204_zpsqijqo9r2.jpg.html)


Title: Re: Early Coke Vendo 81D
Post by: Slapshot42 on May 22, 2015, 12:57:48 am
Very cool !


Title: Re: Early Coke Vendo 81D
Post by: georgescustompaint on May 22, 2015, 06:39:23 am
That's neat.  A good combo too. I like the small vents better but the D large coin door. The best of both worlds.


Title: Re: Early Coke Vendo 81D
Post by: ld26 on May 22, 2015, 08:24:56 am
damn very cool, nice detective work, you could teach the 81 master class!


Title: Re: Early Coke Vendo 81D
Post by: BeaYoung on May 22, 2015, 09:07:16 am
Great history lesson. Thanks so much!!!

B.


Title: Re: Early Coke Vendo 81D
Post by: Jared on May 22, 2015, 09:33:03 am
Thanks joey great information


Title: Re: Early Coke Vendo 81D
Post by: Ben on May 22, 2015, 12:52:16 pm
This kind of information is why I love this site!  Very cool.


Title: Re: Early Coke Vendo 81D
Post by: Swachtelncc on May 22, 2015, 12:57:44 pm
Great information, thanks for sharing


Title: Re: Early Coke Vendo 81D
Post by: Lincoln22 on May 22, 2015, 08:11:34 pm
People like Joey are assets to this hobby! Extremely knowledgeable,  willing to help anytime, and very fair! Great info! Thanks for sharing


Title: Re: Early Coke Vendo 81D
Post by: Sarman47 on May 22, 2015, 10:09:21 pm
People like Joey are assets to this hobby! Extremely knowledgeable,  willing to help anytime, and very fair! Great info! Thanks for sharing

+1
Thanks for sharing