SMC Discussion Areas

I've thought about doing something like this.   It looks fantastic.


http://baltimore.craigslist.org/atq/4899364695.html

That is slick, I've also thought of doing something like that with some of my machines.

There was a teal V39 a few years ago on ebay, I always thought it looked good.

Definitely makes for a smaller market when you're going for resale, that one has been for sale for many years now, I'm pretty sure it was on CL when I lived in the area.  "Honey, it's up for sale I just haven't gotten any hits yet, guess I'll just have to keep it in the mancave for now..."

My favorite was the Pink Floyd The Wall Coke machine that was posted here years ago.  

http://soda-machines.com/discussions/index.php/topic,12420.0.html

        I could stare at that wall for hours, but I'm sorry guys................I think that 39 sucks! :darn:

Go for it.

I can imagine it in Redsox red and blue.    8)

It looks like unicorn vomited on it

Funny I don't mind the square tops being themed out... but something about these old round tops just doesn't work for me.
I'm lucky though, I'm in St. Louis, Cardinal Nation, so the all red or red and white works perfect for me! :smile:

At least they did this to a fairly Common machine like the 39... now if they would have done that to an 81. oh my.

I'm all for customizing a machine for ones personal taste and obviously this guy wanted it for his Ravens Den... but if you do customize a machine, keep in mind that when it comes time that you want to sell it... your buyers are VERY limited.  

so even if he has a couple grand wrapped up into the restoration, you still have to price it as an unrestored unit cause anyone who is looking to buy a machine is most likely looking for something traditional and going to want to repaint.  but no one in their right mind is going to pay 2800.00 only to strip it down and repainted it.
when you can buy an unrestored one for 800-1000 and restore it from that point.

I agree wit Eric,

It seems OK to do 'themed" square tops but not original 1950s machines.  I have a Hires Root beer machine that was never manufactured that I restored.  I don't think I would ever do that wit ha round top.

BC

That machine has been up for sale for over a year now.   Just remember your love is your love.  You do something like that you may not get out what you put in.  Just like my love for my 72 corvette.  If I ever sell it I'll certainly lose several thousand.

All interesting comments and opinions.
Here's another arguable view:   If we want our soda machine values to hold or increase I think we need young people to become interested.   We don't want it to become an old guy's hobby like jukebox and cash register collecting ( I own both).  Machines like this 39 catch the eye of younger generations.

I'm 35, I don't see classic soda machines to be a hobby that'll become extinct unless they stop selling bottles that will fit.  Many guys want a man-cave, and the soda machine unlike a jukebox or a cash register serves a good purpose.   

I like them all.  It's only a refrigerator.  If you want to paint it pink with yellow polka dots, go for it.

Preacher <--> choir  :)

If you ever want to not be able to sell a coke machine, paint it any color than  red and white. I had a bright idea years ago that a orange and black (Harley Davidson) coke machine would sell. Boy was I wrong.

Jukeboxes play music.... That's a good purpose!  :biggrin:

Ha ha - true but unsure how you'd get your hits on radio.

I guess the Ipod took away the need for a large juke that plays music.

Until they come up with a machine that dispenses coke / beer  that can fit in the palm of your hand, I think these machines will be collectible for many more years. comparing jukes to coke machines isn't the best.

As for values of the machines in the future... well, your guess is as good as mine.  But being a collector and not a re-seller... I don't care what the value is years from now.  I just want then to be affordable now  :smile:

For me I think it's just so freaking cool to put in a coin and have something come out or a song play. A soda machine and a jukebox look so much cooler than a refrigerator or an iPod. Vending machines now take credit cards, iPods killed the Walkman and Portable CDs, and I have seen iPads with credit card swipers replace cash registers. People like us just need to keep these things alive and keep the history. I hope the day never comes when I sit down with my grandchild and am asked "grandpa wants a coin-op?" 

Just the other day I brought home a regal peanut machine and my 2 year old walked over to it and lifted the flap and got upset when nothing came out. I put in a nickel, he pulled the slide, and opened the flap. He still got upset because it was empty but I was a proud papa as despite all the times he has been out with me buying these, he's never seen me work one that had stuff in it. :) 

I feel the jukebox analogy is very relevant.  Like the Ipod for music, we all know there are many ways to cool down a beer or soda other than vintage soda machines.

I bought my first vendo 81 in 1988 and still enjoy hunting them down.     I was in my early twenties - most people didn't understand the attraction.   Most people still don't understand. 

Most hobbies need young energy to survive (and their money i suppose).    If that baltimore vendo 39 injects new blood in the hobby - I'm all for it.

   

I totally agree that the Raven theme has a limited market - maybe it has Ray Rice's number on the back?
But I personally don't see the difference in painting a RT in a theme (i.e. Ravens or Packers or whatever) as opposed to making it an Orange Crush. Either way it never existed!

I'd suggest painting it Patriots colors that way it will always be in style and hold value. If you do paint it Patriot colors don't listen to the guys on here telling you to check the freon pressure its always on spec at 12.5-13.5PSI.  :biggrin:

Just don't paint it with Seahawks colors. The damn thing will never run like it should!!!

I'll "pass" on that.

Haha Tim

I have a 39 that looks good from a distance but up close you can see it had a fairly poor repaint done a long time ago.  I have considered redoing it as a MIZZOU machine just for my own enjoyment.  Wouldn't put a lot of money into it, just do it for a fun project.  I personally don't care for the Ravens machine, but I suppose a Baltimore resident would not find my idea very appealing either.  Its a horrible idea from a resale standpoint, but my boys would probably fight over who would get it some day.  That would be my way of passing on the hobby to the next generation.  I guess its everyone's personal choice to do what they want with their own machine.  If you like it that's all that matters.  But I agree it would be awful to see anything purple on an 81. 

Here's a V23 I did as Dr Pepper, just to add some other color in my man cave.  I have 4 red or red/white Coke machines, so I wanted something different.

Your 23 looks incredible.  Great job!

great looking 23

Thanks guys.  Now, I want to do something in Pepsi blue & white. 

BTW, I am doing another DR Pepper 23 for a friend, but this one will accept long neck bottles.  Still working on the bottle holder that replaces the original short bottle honeycomb unit.

Love the DP 23!!

Let's see some pics of the modifications!