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Hello folks,

Here it goes for a first post.  I am going to look at a Vendo 39 in the next couple of days.  The owner said he thinks "it doesn't work".  I need to find out exactly what he means by that.  I assume it doesn't cool.  He wasn't sure what type of machine it was other than an "old coke machine".  It has been inside in a barn (literally, with animals and stuff) for 25 years.  They say no dings or dents and its all there and complete.  They sent a couple low quality cell phone pictures to me and I looks pretty decent, but then again I'm a noob.  I'm sure a trained eye will see better than mine.  So on that note what do you think?  
Here are my concerns:

1.  No key. So I will be buying this thing without looking inside.  This seems like its last thing you would advise, but I doubt they are going to let me drill the lock until     its paid for.  

2. Rust.  Is there a trick to look for rust in problem areas without opening the main door?  The "belt line" looks fine in the pics, but its hard to tell.

   Thanks! -Pat

        Welcome to the site Rusty!
        You found a good one, and a true barn find.  :happydrinkers:
        There is a 99% chance that compressor is just fine.
        Any rust is also probably just minor.
        This will clean up fantastic so we would advise NOT restoring it.
                                Good Luck!

Welcome to the site!  Nice find, hopefully it looks as good in person.

Looks like at least the vending drum is inside looking through the door in the second pic.  Same with the coin mech, at least the bottom section is there since the handle is there.

Being in a barn, I'd advise against plugging it in before really checking out the wiring, mice tend to chew the wires up and you'll probably find a nest or two in there once it's open.

Welcome to the site

I concur with the above comments . Nice looking original clean with mild soap&water check wiring looks like a new bottle door seal would be needed
But it looks complete

Looks solid and as stated the drum is there... Rod and Janet sell keys so don't drill the lock if you buy it.
(Use that you can't open it to see if it's all there to your advantage when talking final price)
 
There will be a number along the lock edge get that number to Rod and Janet (Fun-Tronics sponsored here on the site)
and they can make you a key from their master set.

Thanks for the replies.  I'm hopeful.  I was a little concerned that it had a bad repaint somewhere down the line from some weirdness near the coin door hinge in one of the close-up photos.  Now I think its just the original paint that is worn away along where condensation may have collected and run down the front of it.
If I pick this up, would you recommend drilling out the lock and replacing it with a new one, or have locksmith make a key and keep the original lock.  

You can get a key from Fun-Tronics... there is a lock number on the lock edge they will have one for you so no need to hassle with drilling.

I didn't see eric's post before I asked about the lock.  That would be great if I could get a number off the lock cylinder and simply buy a key.  I will try that for sure.

No problem.. that's a Classic machine... good luck and welcome to the site... you'll be buying more! :happydrinkers:

Welcome to the site!  Nice find on the 39... drum looks to be there based on the bottle door open pic....

Amazing that RUSTYGOLD name wasn't taken yet on the site!  Nice name!

 :happydrinkers:

Haha.  You know I thought the same thing during registration.  How could THAT name be available. 

Really like the look of it... love the old decals...  should clean real nice... great survivor...

It is a nice looking machine. Not sure what he is asking for it as far as price goes. 39's are fairly common and can usually be found at a decent price.

Thats the early version of the 39 with the ribbed coin door and ICE COLD along the bottom.  My favorite version of that model.  The compressor on that model is pretty easy too, doesn't have a condenser fan to worry about.  Looks like a really nice find

I have been speaking on the phone with the owners daughter on this, so I really haven't talked money with her.  When I'm there with her dad I will see where he is at with a price.  It's local.
 Based on what you see, what would be the top end of what I should offer?  I should have a good idea where the ceiling is.  Any thoughts?

Because it's your first machine it's ok to overpay for it because I'm sure most of us here did the same with our first machine. A great price would be in the $500 range but don't really see that happening. Fair price would be $800-$1,000 and if you had to step up to $1,000 no shame there. If you really want it and it cools then even $1,200 or so would be a nice deal for you. If he is up in the $2,000 range then I would give it some thought and perhaps shy away and look for a better deal out there. 

Thank you.  I don't think it cools.  The girl that I have been talking to said it does not work.  Whatever that means exactly I don't know.  I definitely need to get it under $1000.  I do know that one other guy looked at it and they couldn't make a deal.  He offered under $500.  They have a "beautiful condition" shell gas pump as well for $1000 if that tells you anything.  It tells me nothing because I don't know gas pumps. 

$750-900, Although 1k isn't unreasonable  as it appears to be intact, no belt line rust.  But playing the "no key, what's missing?" card could work to keep it lower. 
The gas pump without pics is hard to judge the seller. 

I love the way nice originals look with the decals all faded on them, if the seller is reasonable you have to grab it, let us know how it goes

     If it doesn't work it is probably because of bad wiring as stated earlier.
     The seller will find the 39 to be difficult to sell because it is limited to vend only small Coke bottles.
     There are also many to choose from because of high production numbers, but very few of those are as nice as yours.
     The value of the drum and coin mech. alone would bring $500.00. If it was faded or had an old repaint, $500 is average value.
     But if this machine cleans up well enough, it's value will almost equal a similar 39 that has been restored.....$2K.
     In the condition it sits, I'm quite sure $750.00 will buy buy you your "first" machine. :happydrinkers:

     

And snap a picture of the gas pump.... might be something rare... guys on here know pumps too! Good Luck!

I do gas pumps, $1000 for a nice looking pump that doesn't need a restoration is a really good price. There are a few cheesy reproduction pumps but that should be easy to spot in person.

Post a pic of the pump if you can

AHHH reading through these posts makes me wander back in my memory when I bought my first machine... Oh the thrill to find it, and the anxiety as I did not know what I was getting into and spending 1000 for a Vendo 39 ( I did ).. but the glory when I brought the old girl home.... AHHHHHH those some GOOD TIMES!..

Ok memory Dream Sequence ending...

Good luck on the machine, agreed with all posts.. and would keep it original, just clean it up .. and for sure you'll have residents living it !!  clean it up good but keep that awesome original paint!

Thanks for all the replies.  I just talked to them and it looks like I will go on Monday morning.  They want $500 (firm) for it.  It looks like I will be in good shape at that price if i find any surprises, and I may not have the nerve to offer less because I can't inspect the interior.    Heres something strange.  In addition to the one in the barn (the one I pictured) They have one in the house.  Supposedly another Vendo 39, but in working "pristine" original condition.  They want $2500 for that one which is confusing to me.  How could they want so much for that machine and so little for the barn machine.  Something doesn't add up with the difference in price.  Could a Minty 39 ever be worth that much?  My guess is he's still attached to that one.  Guess I'll find out on Monday
As far as the gas pump.  I will get some pictures and post them here.  

Heres the other machine for sale.  Not a Vendo 39.  Im not confused anymore about the price difference.   :biggrin:

Yeah that's a 81... Congrats on the 39... post pics when you get it unloaded! $500 score! :happydrinkers:

$2500 for that Vendo-81 is a great price, looks like it was restored and not used based on location!  I'd venture a guess that you could make some money on the 81 as a quick flip, looks at some of the completed listings on Ebay.

$500 for the V-39 is a good price too, I'd say go there with $3000-3200 and buy the two machines and the gas pump, and make some money!

awesome

Looks like it would be a real effort to get it down but I agree beg borrow or steal $3200 and collect the lot..

Well, one things for sure.  A Subaru Outback can only haul so many Coke Machines at one time.

Great find!  Haul the v81D first!

     Great deal on both machines.
     The 81 doesn't look like it gets much use! :biggrin:

Let's see what the finance commitee has to say about these new developments.  They are all just old coke machines to her.  V63 V39 V81.... all the same.
Oh, and I must confess.  I am a newbie to soda machines and to this forum, but this will not technically be my first.  I have two that I picked up this summer, V63 and a Glasco 50.  I didnt find this message board until later.

Ah ha, now the truth comes out;) :smile:

My wife was very suspect of my collecting machines until I picked up a V-44 for $1200 and doubled my money the next month.  I let her buy a couple things and my collecting hasn't been questioned in a while!

I made a deal with the wife, any money made flipping machines is cut in half, her half goes into the new kitchen fund, my half goes into more machines, it's worked great

A happy wife is a happy life.  Flip one machine, split the profit with her and she will never question you again.  And if you don't continue to invest, well there's no more play $$ for her.  It only took a year for my wife come around and then when I picked up a Vendo 56 for and easy double or triple my $$, she thought it was a cute machine so I got to keep it.

Truth be told (again) If I score that 81, I doubt I could flip it.  It appeals to me too much and based on what I am learning here its a sought after machine that is becoming harder and harder to find. I probably will be kicking myself if I did.  The gas pump on the other hand, gone.

     My suggestion would be to buy both, flip the 39 and give ALL the proceeds to her.
     A properly restored 81 sells for $7K, and value is still climbing.  :happydrinkers:

     Edit: After looking closer at the picture it appears the 81 has not been restored, only painted.
            The embossed Vendo letters were not painted.
            The handle and bezels not chrome or polished.
            Missing the window in the coin entry bezel.
            Missing a screw from the bottle door handle.

            The original bottle stack would have been white so it has been switched with an earlier model.
            You should probably expect the inside of the machine to be all original too and always check for evidence of beltline rust / bondo in the rear of all 81's
            But all of the hard work looks to have been done, so with some color sand and buffing, plating etc. it will still turn out very nice.......well worth the asking price.
           

     

Great eye!  I was going to ask about the red bottle stack because the pictures I looked up online had the white face plate.  I did see a few with it painted red, so I figured it was correct on this machine.  Just so I understand better, this is a 81D with the large coin door and should have a white bottle stack?
The owners daughter said it has been where it sits in the photo (up high on a shelf) for 25 years.  If this is all true, then any "restoration" work done to it would be considered an old restoration job.  Most 81s I see online (in 2 days research) are simply unrestored, or restored to todays standards with powder coated parts, the shiny stuff is all chrome plated etc.   What were people doing with 81's in the late 1980's or early 90's as far as restoration work?  I ask because this is likely what we are looking at here.

edit- after looking more closely, I'm with you Moondawg.  It looks like it simply had a new paint job.

I picked up the V39 this morning.  All in all it looks pretty good.  Its filthy so it should look alot better after a cleaning. Turns out the lock had been drilled previously, so no issue inspecting the inside.   After a quick look, the three parts I know for sure that are missing are the coin box, the sheet metal cover over the condenser on the rear of the machine and the glass jar that collects the condensation.  Are any of these things a big deal to get a hold of?
Also, can the year of the machine be determined by the any if the numbers in the photo?

Both Funtronics and Soda Jerk Works will have the coin box. I would look for a used one on e-bay though so it will look from the same era. As for the jar a it's only a Mason jar so you can find that anywhere. if you get a new one just rub dirt on it so it looks old. I don't believe the 39's and a cover in the rear. That opening is just that, open.

The first number in the serial number row is the year the machine was built, the second and third number is the month.
The last 5 numbers are the actual serial numbers.

20512345 = built May 1952 s/n 12345


This works for round top Vendo's. I don't know if it holds true for later models. it does not for other Mfg's such as Cavalier, Westinghouse, etc

what happened with the 81? you passed it

Didn't pass on it.  I need to go back after he gets it down from it's perch.  Its up higher than it looks and its going to be hairy getting it down.  Once its accessable I need more time than I had today to go through it.  He painted the machine himself (20 years ago) and he repaired a deep dent on the top using bondo in the process. The body was not that straight, and he said he wasnt sure if all the parts were there either.  On the upside he said it never had rust issues.  It just wasnt in the cards to snag the 81 today.  I need to do more homework on these and how his amature restoration, missing or incorrect parts affect the bottom line.

And the pump?

I have pics of it that I can upload when I'm back home.  Kind of a let down.  It's a pump this guy found in a swamp.  The heavy cast iron parts (base and top) and four corners are original along with what looked like an aluminum bezel around the glass.  He fabricated the missing sheet metal and other various parts.  He painted it yellow and put Shell decals on it and toped it with a repro shell globe.  Looked ok to me as it sat, but since I dont do gas pumps I was going to throw a pic up on here or oldgas.com and see what everyone thinks.

  So this is a 1953. Thanks!

Ok, one rule that we have here is that you cannot leave 81's behind. No excuses. Even if you don't have a dolly or even a truck you walk the machine to the corner and flag someone down with a truck and pay him $25 to take both you and the machine home. Don't laugh, it's been done. :biggrin:

Does that include 81 Transitionals?  :biggrin:

Nope.

As promised, here it is unloaded and cleaned up.

I'm going to need a bigger shed.  :oh:

Shed!!!?... That 39 belong in the living room! (good Luck with that)
Wow what a great looking machine... You did really well... that is a keeper! congrats on the score! :happydrinkers:

Agree, very nice 39. You have a good eye because you had the vision of what it could look like cleaned but. Not everybody has that. Great job!

Did I miss it or was there never a picture of the pump?

That cleaned up way better than I expected, awesome job!  

I will get a picture up. It was a bit of a frankenpump, but it could still be interesting.

Thanks guys.  Mild soap and water just didnt do the trick it i'm afraid.  This thing was seriously flithy deep into the paint.  I needed to cut into it with polishing compounds.  It wasnt pretty.  Lots of red paint on my buffing towels, but it was the only thing that would bring back the shine and smooth it out.  It waxed up nice after that.

Looks good. Congrats

       And you just made yourself over $1K profit. :happydrinkers:
       Now put a for sale sign on that baby, cuz' you need to make room in the garage for an 81.  :biggrin:

Well there's the problem.  How many more 39's am I going to stumble on in a barn?  It will look good next to an 81.  8)  Space is an issue though.  Now if I was that V63 to the left of the 39 in the picture I would be worried.

Thanks, but we'll see how good I did after I fix the demolished service cord (thanks to a farm goat) and try to fire this baby up.  Let's hope I like 39 warm Cokes.  :happydrinkers:

the Glasco and 63 may be nice but you'll stumble onto more of them... those would go before the 39.. and yes it'll look awesome beside a 81 or a 72 or between a 81 and 72! :smile:

Gas pump.

i agree with eric move the other to on keep that great looking 39 and close the deal on the 81

The gods are smiling on you sir!! The pump is 30's. My guess is Tolkium (sp). If the globe is original that's $200 minimum. The folks over at oldgas.com may or may not assist. It's worth try. Congrats!
Creighton

Pretty sure that globe is an $89 repop. Pictures are not very good but something looks weird to me. The visi appears too small and no glass. Possibly some kind of filter just repurposed to look like a visi.

Creighton is right the guys on oldgas really know their stuff, they can identify a pump and any issues it may have from a mile away

I hoped you were right.  You were! I Replaced the service cord, plugged it in and it fired right up and cycled like it was 1953.  Try that with a "made in Korea" Kenmore fridge that many of us have in our Kitchens.