Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: Skeleton Man on April 20, 2005, 01:41:52 pm Hi all,
I'm currently working with a 70's era Cornelius pepsi machine, but I'm doubtful I'll fetch much more than $200 - $300 for it.. (that's with new coin mech, new lock, new lights & wiring, cleaned, etc).. I only paid $100 for it tho.. I was wondering for my next project, what would be a nice collectors item that I would make more than a few $$ from restoring ? (I see a lot of people here have round top coke machines, with the slanted shelves & glass door) Regards, Chris Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: Eric on April 20, 2005, 02:43:00 pm You can't go wrong with the Vendo 39, 56, 81, VMC 81s or Cavalier 72 & 96s
those are your best roundtop glass doors. Good $$$$$ Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: Kilroy on April 20, 2005, 04:57:47 pm Ditto to what Eric said.
Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: Pat Pixley on April 20, 2005, 06:27:05 pm And for the future the Sq. tops are going to start to be the
hot items out there. vendo 63 , 90, 92-3 & 126 cavalier 64,80,1-55,2-55 & 96 now this is just what I think, A small machine that can go in a basement family room or in a corner of a office (home or work ) or in the living room If your wife would let that happen. ![]() Pat Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: Skeleton Man on April 20, 2005, 06:51:40 pm My cornelius squaretop is only small.. a bit over 5' tall and 3.5' wide.. (or did you mean the type that sit on a stand, e.g. skybox ?)
Girlfriend is OK with one machine at a time.. long as it stays in the shed.. ![]() Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: dr galaga on April 20, 2005, 07:53:52 pm
I sure hope that the "shed" is some slang term for your rec. room! ![]() If you have room, try to talk her in to putting it in the house. Look at all the room it will save in the refridgerator ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: Skeleton Man on April 20, 2005, 08:18:45 pm Unfortunately shed = garage (and @ her place).. but I'm sure with a round top machine (fully restored) I'd get it in the house..
Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: DanV on April 20, 2005, 08:52:09 pm I love those Vendo 44's . The little size and the round edges. It's amazing to me at 5 cents a bottle those machines brought in a whopping $2.20. I saw one at a flea market, al original, but he wanted $2500 for it. To bad he knew what he had.:angry:
Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: sodaworks on April 20, 2005, 10:25:27 pm DanV,
2500.00 is the going price for a 44. Keep looking and eventually you'll find one much cheaper. Terry ![]() Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: DanV on April 21, 2005, 08:30:28 am Thanks, I'll keep my eye out
Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: Skeleton Man on April 21, 2005, 10:32:18 am I'll be looking for something in fair condition (ie. incomplete, but no rust).. gotta wait till I can afford to restore a machine like that tho.. (I figure if $2,500 is the going price, I'll have to spend at least $500 - $800 on parts & paint to get that for it..)
Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: on April 21, 2005, 11:06:41 am If you want to earn big $$$$ you have to do a great restoration job.
Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: Bob K on April 21, 2005, 11:27:28 am I know everybody has different tastes, but to me there is such thing as "over-restoration".
I totally appreciate and admire the Bitw restorations, but they are not for me (like I could afford it anyway ![]() Not for me. Give me a complete, well-worn, running machine any day. I've got enough to worry about. ![]() Bob Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: glassbottlesrule on April 22, 2005, 04:10:40 pm I too like my machines with use scars. The restore are pretty but just not for me. I only buy machines which are clean and not rusted in the beltline. I bring em home strip out the cooling system and mechanicals and swab it out. I replace the two fans and lube everything and reassemble. I clean the outside with light rubbing compound followed by a couple coats of wax. I also always replace all the bulbs, starters, and ballast. The machines always clean up great and look good with dents and dings.
Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: Eric on April 22, 2005, 07:34:03 pm Though this is swaying into another topic I must agree (a little) I hate seeing machines pimped out...
Now some machines have past the wax and elbo grease stage. So I can see fresh paint job. My 39 is original and it has slight orange peal to it... I like that... When I restore my 81 I don't want a mirror finish I want an original finish. When I think restored... I think original condition.... Especially if they are a harder to find machine. Pin striping, 34 decals, extra chrome.... Is there a machine under there somewhere? ![]() Now if you're making a fantasy machine... you need some of that stuff. some of the square tops lost that vintage feel.... Love the Frosty ones Josh makes. But a 81, to me, needs nothing but a nice paint job and stocked shelves. Eric Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: Skeleton Man on April 22, 2005, 08:02:30 pm My square top cornelius might get a coat of paint (won't be powdercoat) and a polish, but I'm not going overboard with chrome or anything..
Original condition is what I'm aiming for.. Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: MoonDawg on April 22, 2005, 08:12:00 pm Good point Eric. A Vendo 81 from the factory in Fresno had "Have a Coke" on each side, and "insert coin", "coin return" and "visible bottle "warning decals only.
Don't know the story about how the "Hand and Bottle" decals ended up on a lot of these machines. I feel too many decals and pinstripes are degrading (But I want my 81 re-painted with a mirror finish) ![]() Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: loman4ec on April 22, 2005, 08:18:33 pm I agree with you Glen. but when you are building machines to sell you have to do what people want. And for some reason peolple like things over restored.
Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: sodaworks on April 22, 2005, 08:31:22 pm I like the mirror finish paint jobs as well. New chrome and only applying the original decals. I only add additional decals at the clients request.
![]() Title: Most collectable machine ? Post by: Creighton on April 22, 2005, 10:06:26 pm Great thread!
Have been looking at the two RT V-56's on Ebay restored by "Home Arcade" and "Sleepwalk". Outstanding work on both accounts!! Has me thinking about fixing some details on mine (will be a new thread). That said, when someone new is over to the house, it is great fun to point out a couple of the dents made by someone trying to break into the coin door and the guest will always find the lame attacks that also occured. I put all kinds of decals on the box as mood suites but they are all mounted on magnitic (sp) backing so no harm done. To each his own!! Creighton http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....me=WDVW http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....me=WDVW |