SMC Discussion Areas

google Pepsi 81 and click on images.  98% of the pics with a side picture show one column of fins.  I have seen a few with two columns of fins like an 81D.


So, the questions is......................................what is the way the VMC 81 was manufactured originally?

Early run Pepsi 81 had the single large vent cabinets, later run Pepsi 81 had the split vent cabinet. Both style Cabinets are correct on the Pepsi 81

RC only came with the large Single vent cabinet

7up only came with the later split vent cabinet

Generic came with both large single and split vent cabinets

Coke 81 A only had the large single vent

Coke 81 B came with early large vent cabinets

Coke 81 C from what I have seen only came with the early large single vent cabinets

Coke 81 D only had the split vent cabinet

This should say double column thin fins.  You are talking about vendo?

Yes Vendo, D models only had the split vent cabinet.

Wow,  great info Joey.  thanks for sharing that.

Yes, thanks,coke and stuff.

There are guys out there frankenstiening machines together. And a tv show.

A lot of machines out there with incorrect cabinets!!!  The door is the ace in the hat!

Yes I've had several machines over the years with incorrect cabinets, a lot has happened in the 60 years of their existence. Just like old cars some people don't care what parts are what and as long as it works they go with it. Then there are the purist who want it stock as they were new. I fall into that category and if you have a 7up 81 front main door and in need of a cabinet then split vent is the only way to go! As that's what they had when they were built.

I want to nominate this thread a sticky. It's important educational info to protect the novice, like myself.

Although I find the above information informative. In the big picture I really don't think it matters except for perhaps maybe the RC and a 7up. I have three 81's right now scattered throughout the house and I couldn't even tell you what vents they have.

I have a highly collectible 1969 Camaro SS in the garage. A previous owner installed a 4 cyl. In the big picture I really don't think it matters.

I bought a really beautiful restored Vendo 80 a couple of years ago.... everything on the machine was done with perfection, EXCEPT for the lettering.  A vinyl decal was used on the embossed lettering instead of paint.  I lose sleep over that vinyl every night!  :veryangry:

I understand back in the day they didn't hand paint the letters like the do on restorations today, but at least hand painting them is still using paint like the did when they screened them on.

I'm not a purist, but I like to be at least close  :smile:

Did I they hand paint the lettering on early 39s? 

     
           Good info on the VMC's but I have NEVER owned or seen an 81B with split vents. I do know the 80 had both.
           I'll be watching more closely now, thanks Joey.

         This may be a subject for a whole new thread, rather than hijack Bill's.

         Silkscreening would have been the method of doing most of the lettering during production.
         But I was told by a retired serviceman that when they re-painted these machines they used a hard rubber roller on the embossed letters.
         I purchased a roller but never got good consistancy because of paint thickness. My pinstriper saw this roller  and wants to try his luck with it. I'll pass on any positive results in a new post.  Now back to the vents.........

There was a unrestored 81B with a split vent cabinet that popped up here a few years ago. Maybe it was the victim of a cabinet swap? The tag read B but that would be a easy thing to swap over with 4 screws.

Ben Smith out of Springfield, MO had used a hard rubber roller, he had stencils he made that he laid over the embossed logo and then applied the paint using a roller.

The roller had guides coming off both ends so that he could not change the angles of roller as he was applying the paint. It was by far the best painted embossed lettering that I've seen yet. I tried it a few times and failed and went back to my brush.

Yeah Ben was awesome... I have a Coca-Cola Cooler book from the 40s and it has a section where you could buy the stencils and the large roller to “refurbish” your cooler
and it also shows a little rubber stamp used for the trademark text you would place in the tail of the C in Coca-Cola.
Ben's roller, like Joey said, was modified will little wheels on either end to keep it from being uneven, he' used One shot sign painters paint and was a master at lettering
machines, coolers and picnic coolers, he was a retired AC guy, made his own cooler lids, tubs and catchers. He was great guy, loved talking with him, he loved the hobby.

Yes sorry getting way off track..

      Wow, great idea.   Creighton can you make these for us?

Same here owned and seen many 81Bs but have never seen one with split vents.

Probably a case of a switched out cabinet on the 81b.

Like this "trademark?"

http://soda-machines.com/discussions/index.php/topic,20230.0.html

No the trade mark in the older machines that goes in an arch shaped inside the tail of the Uppercase C in “Coca”
That decal on the Cavalier is just text in a straight line. Wasn't screen printed/stamped on like the older ones it was just a water release decal.
But I guess a stamp could be made for that too. Don't know if there is anyway (printing material available) to make your own water release decals.

Sorry,
Can't help on the column fins.
Starting a new thread on stamps and ink rollers.
Here: http://soda-machines.com/discussions/index.php/topic,20238.0.html
Creighton