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Title: 3 Drink Premix Vendor, possibley Mills? APco? ?? Post by: SIGNGUY on May 11, 2011, 08:57:16 am This is posted on Old Gas, and looks like a Millls, or Apco, but guy says it's a Automotic Vendor? not sure , big and heavy but nice looking original
http://www.oldgas.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=253627&#Post253627 Title: Re: 3 Drink Premix Vendor, possibley Mills? APco? ?? Post by: jbrooks on May 11, 2011, 10:47:01 am i tried to buy that but never heard back then it posted on oldgas as bought already. it was going pretty cheap and only a few hours away
Title: Re: 3 Drink Premix Vendor, possibley Mills? APco? ?? Post by: Kilroy on May 11, 2011, 11:53:08 am The tag reads Automatic Products, which makes me think Apco
Title: Re: 3 Drink Premix Vendor, possibley Mills? APco? ?? Post by: vend_dr on May 12, 2011, 05:20:52 pm The tag reads Automatic Products, which makes me think Apco Any chance of a picture of the tag? I actually am employed by Automatic Products which is now owned by Crane Merchandising Systems who also own National Vendors, Dixie Narco and NRI. I believe but have no proof that Automatic Products split into 2 separate companies (Automatic Products and APCO) sometime in the early 1950's. With Automatic Products keeping the Smokeshop only. I base this on the ad shown below that is on Vintage Vending which clearly shows the Smokeshop 612 which is without a doubt the very first Automatic Products cigarette machine. I even found a copy of the original manual for it when our office in St Paul closed which shows an known Automatic Products address. One old time employee remembered Automatic Products having a cold drink machine in the early years but could not come up with any proof for me. As for the machine pictured above I think that it was manufactured before the split and was made by Automatic Products. I have been trying desperately to find a readable copy of the ad below and even contacted Vintage Vending but they do not have the ad any longer. If anyone has a copy I would love to have a copy of it. Hopefully vintage vending will not have an issue with me using their photo here - Jim if you believe it is a problem please remove it. (http://vintagevending.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/automatic_products_vendors-211x300.jpg) Title: Re: 3 Drink Premix Vendor, possibley Mills? APco? ?? Post by: vend_dr on May 12, 2011, 06:00:21 pm PROOF HAS BEEN FOUND The machine was built by Automatic Products and APCO was spun off later. You wouldn't believe how long I have been searching for proof and it took this post and a chance encounter with Billboard magazine archives to find it.
From the July 1, 1967 edition of Billboard Magazine (http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww57/exp_fan/AP_APCO_proof.jpg) I would post this on the oldgas forum but I am not a member, so if someone would like to feel free. This really makes me happy :biggrin: although it would have been better back in 2005 when I was still located at the Automatic Products plant in St Paul. If you would like to read the entire story here is the link http://books.google.com/books?id=zCcEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA57&dq=automatic+products&hl=en&ei=42DMTff-K9OftwfblcWxBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CGEQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=automatic%20products&f=true Title: Re: 3 Drink Premix Vendor, possibley Mills? APco? ?? Post by: vend_dr on May 12, 2011, 06:23:43 pm Ok bored yet? In 1952 this machine sold for $1245 (source August 9, 1952 edition of Billboard)
From the November 25, 1950 edition of Billboard magazine (http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww57/exp_fan/1950_sodashop.jpg) Title: Re: 3 Drink Premix Vendor, possibley Mills? APco? ?? Post by: SIGNGUY on May 12, 2011, 06:29:26 pm since I started the thread, I'll reply to the original inquiry on old gas and just direct him here.
Thanks for the info and glad you found what you where looking for. John Title: Re: 3 Drink Premix Vendor, possibley Mills? APco? ?? Post by: vend_dr on May 12, 2011, 06:45:20 pm Check this out in 1950 the price was $495 went up $800 in 2 years.
(http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww57/exp_fan/july_29_1950.jpg) Title: Re: 3 Drink Premix Vendor, possibley Mills? APco? ?? Post by: vend_dr on May 12, 2011, 06:46:16 pm since I started the thread, I'll reply to the original inquiry on old gas and just direct him here. Thanks for the info and glad you found what you where looking for. John Thanks for providing the inspiration to start looking again. Title: Re: 3 Drink Premix Vendor, possibley Mills? APco? ?? Post by: Jim on May 12, 2011, 08:18:26 pm A lot of good info that I can incorporate into SMC ! ! !
Title: Re: 3 Drink Premix Vendor, possibley Mills? APco? ?? Post by: Seven181 on May 13, 2011, 08:14:15 pm Good work! I was going to reply, but been traveling. It's an Apco for sure. I have the same model. I also have the SodaShoppe pictured with the two palm trees! It took many of hours to get the glass made for the SodaShoppe. My original mirror was in terrible shape, they did it though. I will dig up a picture and post.
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