Vendo 3 grapette

[vendobaldtops]

Hi Guys (most of you anyway),

I just finished my mini-road trips to pick-up a few machines an hour away.  Unfortunately, only one machine fit into the back of the Explorer so I had to make three trips over a period of weekends!

Anyway, of all the square tops, I picked up a Vendo 63 Grapette machine.  Has anyone else seen one of these before?  It's pretty cool...it has the woodgrain on the front door though but I think I am going to paint it to match the purple Grapette light-up sign.

I will have to do some tune-up work to it but it's basically all there.  The great thing about the machines v(all V-63s) is that the refrigeration units fire right up and turn off after 10 minutes...ice cold.  

I didn't realize that the garage became so small and I will probably have to let some machines go in the near future...I'll post pics as soon as the wife returns with the digital camera.  I love the Grapette though!

[Kevin C]

Hello

I would be interested in purchasing one of the V63.  I think I now have a market for them.

Let me know

Kevin

[vendobaldtops]

Hi,

I finally got some pics up of the Grapette as welll as a few other machines...I hope I can get them to upload correctly

[vendobaldtops]

here is another angle..I hope!

[vendobaldtops]

here is the coke 63

I love that Coke 63. Those were a beautiful design. The Grapette is nice too, but I never grew up with "Grapette", so I don't have the same emotional bond as you guys. '>

But if I may be so bold, you have to treat your Grapette machine with more respect. There is actual junk on top of it and things leaning against it, possibly scraping it. I don't see duct tape touching it, do I? We need to treat our machines like family members.

But all that said, I am very glad that you shared photos. I love looking at everyone's pics. I promise, I won't judge anymore. '>

[vendobaldtops]

Kito,

I appreciate your comments..yeah, my work space is pretty unorganized....luckily no duct tape but someone bolted on hinges to act as a lock at some time....jeez...just buy a 5 buck key / lock next time....

Fortunately, I do not store junk on top of the Vendobaldtop machines..at least nothing heavy  

[Eric]

Great Grapette machine... There where 3 signs on eBay a week or so back...
I thought they may be repro/fantasy pieces but looks like they were not.
That one and the Coke one would be keepers in my book! And you did the right thing
getting rid of the wood grain and matching the color! Great Machine!
After I get my 3 roundtops done! I'm gonna hunt for a Coke one like that one.
What model is that?...Is it the little 63?... What are you guys finding those for, price wise?

Eric

[MoonDawg]

Vendo, that Grapette looks nice. Did you strip the woodgrain and paint the door already?
    ( p.s.   You in Berkley Calif? )

[Eric]

Also since Wal-Mart/Sams bought Grapette you should be able to fill with Grapette and Crush soda from there.

Again great machine...
Eric

[glassbottlesrule]

From what I heard(on the Grapette website about 2 weeks ago) The Wal Mart deal fell through.  Wal Mart brought in Cott's beverages in glass instead of the Grapette and Orangette.  The Cott's is ok(the Black Cherry is killer) but I would of loved to be able to get Grapette agauin.

[Eric]

Wow... That's probably good for Grapette then... Wal-Mart tends to run companies
into the ground...

Except their own...unfortunately. '>

[vendobaldtops]

Moondawg....yes, our paths crossed a few years ago when I made a road trip down to SD and I stopped by on my way back up...that trip nearly killed me but I made a trade for my 7Up VMC33 for a VMC44 in pretty good condition down there.  

I got out of collecting because I moved to Washington DC for 2 years but once I moved back to Nor Cal, I have gotten back into collecting.  I appreciate your comments on this board immensely...I am still learning.

As far as the Grapette signs on eBay, I actually bought my machines from him...so I know they were legit.  Apparently, he cleared out a warehouse in Redwood City (South of San Francisco) and picked up 40-50 square tops for the cheaps.  What was left, I was able to attain off him.

Sick of the woodgrain finish, I took a heat gun to the front door and just peeled that stuff off like latex and got lucky selecting the paint...I've got another Grapette...just needs some rewiring but I'll get a pic up too as soon as i melt the wood off ... '>

[vendobaldtops]

As far as the Grapette signs on eBay, I actually bought my machines from him...the seller that is.  By the way, the coke machine in this thread is a Vendo 63A

[BryanH]

How do you tell the difference between a V63 and a V56 or VMC56?  Your coke machine looked like a V56 to me?

[vendobaldtops]

Hi Bryan,

I just got into collecting the square corners so if I give you the wrong answer....the rest of the crew will correct me.  I don't think there is a whole lot different between v56s and V63s.  However, my friend had a v56 at one time and I noticed that the front door appears a lot thicker than a Vendo 63.  Also, in all the v56s that I have seen, never has one had the light up door...it was just a metal panel with either embossed lettering or the script.  I almost consider the 56s transitional machines because many had embossed lettering and/or an embossed bottle door...not glass but somewhat similar to the non-see thru bottle door of the round top Vendo 56...anyone know when they stopped producing square Vendo 56s...and if I am sniffing glue tonight as I rattle this stuff off.... '>

[loman4ec]

The 56's were made well into the 60's. There are a few differences. Mainly the 63 has more frills than the 56. The coin bezel on a 56 is only a small rectangle not more than 2'by 4', and the early 63's were big and gold. The 56 does have a thick front main door and the 63 has a thin door like a cavalier 64. The 63 also has a grill on the bottom of the door and the 56 does not. It sometimes looks like there is a grill on the 56's but it is just a decal. I will post a pic below of one of each. The first is a Vendo 63 The second is a 56. Also the 56 is slightly shorter and skinnier.

[loman4ec]

Vendo 56

[BryanH]

Thanks AC... Your V63 sure looks a lot like my VMC56.  7 shelves, looks like the same size. The Pepsi sign is a light.  Even the small door below (with bottle opener, coin slot, return) looks like the the same. Primary difference I see from the pics is the Vendo logo and the louvered grate over the compressor compartment (mine's more of screen).

[loman4ec]

Yes the VMC's are a different story. Some VF 56's look like yours and some don't. I would actually like to know which are earlier models. Below is a pic of a VF56 that I used to have. Yours does have the thick front door on it. Both the 56's and the 63's have the same bottle mechs but the shelves are different. The machine in the picture below has the decal bottom grate.

Wow, that's a decal? It looks so real!

Hey hartlenb, your Pepsi machine looks almost exactly like my (supposed) V-77, 3-D light up sign and legs and all, except mine is for vending cans and is a bit wider!

Here's yours so that they can be seen side by side:

[BryanH]

Big brother - Little brother?? '>