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Ok, I know this isn't going to be easy and I do know what I'm asking... My buddy is looking to collect the 81's. he started with the coke but wants the others. His pockets are deeper than mine and he is realistic on his prices. Unrestored machines preferred, he wants to go thru the process with his guy.

He has cash, if your thinking of selling please let me know. It isn't getting flipped. He has a perfectly restored 56 he is willing to put in trade if the logistics work and it interests you.

Well, lets see... here is what i think he'll be spending..these prices are for unrestored complete in fair to good shape machines.

RC-81.........$12K
Dr. pepper...$6K
7up.............$5K
Pepsi...........$4K

Total ..........$27K

These are (not waiting 5 years for a good deal) prices.

If it were me that would be a problem. For him, not so much. We have discussed prices and he knows what he is looking at. My guesses were in that ballpark.... plus don't forget shipping/road trip expenses! Then he wants each one restored by his guy. Yup, my wife would kill me!

it would be a fun  hunt.

I've got a Generic 81, if you guys are rating a unrestored generic 81 at $6k I'm a seller!

Restored cooling unit ready to go in, change giver mech, correct VMC bezel, and a minty porcelain DP sign.

Joey

He wants the embossed ones. I didn't consider the DP a "real" 81 so I sort of ignored that one.

A collection of 81's wouldn't be complete without a generic (whether it be DP, Barq's, Orange Crush, etc.)
My 6 cents!

You are probably right to be a true set, but to each their own. I guess if your collecting the sliders you need to blank one to be a true set, but I wouldn't spend the $3000+ to have one restored.

You can't not consider a generic and a Dr. Pepper when you are doing a collection of 81's.

Joey,  6000.00 for one.  What are you smoking over there????

If they are valueing a unrestored generic at $6,000 I'm a seller lmao. And I agree a lineup of 81s without a generic is not complete. The generic is harder to find than the pepsi. Not an easy machine to find.

Joey

Thinking about his wish list got me thinking that it will be tough to get at any price. I guess that's a good thing unless you are in his shoes as a buyer. Not impossible but tough. Nice problem to have though, being in a postition to be looking for all 81's then having them restored.

I think the 7up and Generic prices listed above should be flipped.
I think a true generic is tough to find, but the value doesn't reflect it (and I even own a generic / Dr. Pepper)

I have seen a half dozen generic 81's compared to only a few Pepsi 81's in person.  Interesting how they populate in different areas!

I know of in person that I have seen in the flesh in collections 4 Pepsi 81s right now. I seen 3 in Des Moines Iowa last year while at the Gas Show. There has been 3-4 bought and sold here in the last year by SMC members that I know of, NOT rare but very desirable. They pop up and most of the time sell fast.

I see 8-10 Pepsi 81s before I see one Generic. I have heard restorers in the 80s-90s that would cut up generics to make them into Cokes as they sold better. I dont know if that is true or not???

Joey