Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Gumbo on December 25, 2005, 08:38:40 am
On this site, under the soda specifications for the Vendorlator (VMC) 81 it says that VMC produced the 81 for a variety of soda bottlers. Some of which included Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, 7-up, Royal Crown, and a few other brands. My question is ---What are the few OTHER BRANDS? Where they embossed? Are there any pictures of these?
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: johnieG on December 25, 2005, 09:33:04 am
<font color='#000000'>You'll find a few off brands in VMC V-81's say for example Double Cola, but 95% of them aren't embossed, there is no "official" list of all the unknown soda brands that may have been produced by VMC, these were usually generic machines that relied on silk-screen logos & decals to identify the machine for that particular soda producer, as for embossed machines, In my personel experence I've run into many so called "Rare" machines that have 98% have turned out to be fake-fantasy machines (such as a Vernors embossed VMC V-44) , I'm not saying that they aren't out there, but buyer beware...I've seen an Orange~Crush VMC V-81 that was just knock down, eye popping beautiful, but it was just a fantasy machine made from an upright cooler panel embossing stitched-welded onto the front door of a generic V-81.
So if you run into a "Rare" embossed Grapette VMC V-81, & they want big bucks for it (don't we all!) it's simple, before you shell out +$3K, have them remove the door liner & have a look-see at the back-side of the embossing of the door, if you see "stitching" (welding marks from a MIG welder) or other signs of metal work, you've got yourself a genuine Fake..either that or they'll throw a fit & say that they won't tear it apart, blah, blah, blah, yada-yada. I've done this with cash in hand ( & a big buddy for backup!) told them if it's real I'll buy it on the spot, all they have to do is pull the panel off, & let me inspect the machine, amazing how this will piss-off the "seller" (being polite here) & then they'll tell you to get the F#$% out of here. hmmm wonder why? <!--emo&:oops:--><img src="http://soda-machines.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/oops.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':oops:'><!--endemo-->
In summary, I treat these machines like I treat "Custom" '57 Chevys, I won't pay top dollar for a wheel-tub'd/hood cut/blown, big block engined machine, as opposed to a true original example. simple. buyer beware... <!--emo&:suspect:--><img src="http://soda-machines.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/suspect.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':suspect:'><!--endemo--></font>
<!--EDIT|johnieG|1135522459-->
So if you run into a "Rare" embossed Grapette VMC V-81, & they want big bucks for it (don't we all!) it's simple, before you shell out +$3K, have them remove the door liner & have a look-see at the back-side of the embossing of the door, if you see "stitching" (welding marks from a MIG welder) or other signs of metal work, you've got yourself a genuine Fake..either that or they'll throw a fit & say that they won't tear it apart, blah, blah, blah, yada-yada. I've done this with cash in hand ( & a big buddy for backup!) told them if it's real I'll buy it on the spot, all they have to do is pull the panel off, & let me inspect the machine, amazing how this will piss-off the "seller" (being polite here) & then they'll tell you to get the F#$% out of here. hmmm wonder why? <!--emo&:oops:--><img src="http://soda-machines.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/oops.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':oops:'><!--endemo-->
In summary, I treat these machines like I treat "Custom" '57 Chevys, I won't pay top dollar for a wheel-tub'd/hood cut/blown, big block engined machine, as opposed to a true original example. simple. buyer beware... <!--emo&:suspect:--><img src="http://soda-machines.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/suspect.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':suspect:'><!--endemo--></font>
<!--EDIT|johnieG|1135522459-->
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: MoonDawg on December 25, 2005, 12:10:29 pm
To emboss letters, a set of stamps needs to be made. One piece of iron has inset letters one has raised letters. When stamped together they create a nice looking logo. They didn't have fancy CNC machines back then so creating a set of stamps would bave been costly.
If Royal Crown and 7up only had only 200 VMC 81's produced, this could indicate a minimum # to justify tooling.
I recently learned the Orange Crush 81 will not show any welding inside the door. Someone has had that set of molds made and is selling generic 81's for $17,000 +. I'm with Johnie beware.
If Royal Crown and 7up only had only 200 VMC 81's produced, this could indicate a minimum # to justify tooling.
I recently learned the Orange Crush 81 will not show any welding inside the door. Someone has had that set of molds made and is selling generic 81's for $17,000 +. I'm with Johnie beware.
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Skeleton Man on December 25, 2005, 03:51:16 pm
How can you tell the diff between an original embossing and one done with a re-popped mold ?
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: coke_and_stuff on December 25, 2005, 07:43:40 pm
If unrestored easy of course, If restored and done right you cant tell unless a fantasy machine. or you take off the inside plastic liner 99% of the time the cut and weld marks wont be hidden.
Joey
Joey
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Eric on December 25, 2005, 11:29:57 pm
Yeah I'd have to buy an off brand unrestored before for I fork out big $$$$!
I'm sure it'll be just a matter of time before someone starts knocking out embossed doors
of different brands for the 81s... which... I would'nt mind as long as I knew it... probably
be the only way I'll ever get a RC 81...
I think with the westinghouse juniors repopped and probably selling well due to the quality
we'll see 81s next... would be nice to see the cabinets and tubs at least since many times these are rusted....
I think there could be a market.... as long as they're not like the 44 repros I hear those are junk.....
Eric
I'm sure it'll be just a matter of time before someone starts knocking out embossed doors
of different brands for the 81s... which... I would'nt mind as long as I knew it... probably
be the only way I'll ever get a RC 81...
I think with the westinghouse juniors repopped and probably selling well due to the quality
we'll see 81s next... would be nice to see the cabinets and tubs at least since many times these are rusted....
I think there could be a market.... as long as they're not like the 44 repros I hear those are junk.....
Eric
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Skeleton Man on December 26, 2005, 04:40:53 pm
I was gonna ask if anyone had ever repopped an entire machine (cabinet, emobossed door, etc)... but I guess with the right tools and the right market it's very possible..
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: sodaworks on December 29, 2005, 02:58:24 pm
Where is the magnificient 7 when they are needed? Ha-Ha... 
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Bireleys1 on December 31, 2005, 11:54:42 am
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Bireleys1 on December 31, 2005, 12:16:53 pm
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: sodaworks on December 31, 2005, 12:17:57 pm
That was very interesting to say the least. Only 5 members were named. I thinking Glen may have been a silient member....
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Eric on December 31, 2005, 01:10:11 pm
I think a few check in from time to time...
That was a great mag! I still have all of them.... great stories and
the group was about as good as this one though you had to wait month to month
to hear from anyone.... This IS THE PLACE TO BE if you have a question or anything related
to these great machines....
Eric
That was a great mag! I still have all of them.... great stories and
the group was about as good as this one though you had to wait month to month
to hear from anyone.... This IS THE PLACE TO BE if you have a question or anything related
to these great machines....
Eric
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: MoonDawg on December 31, 2005, 03:05:08 pm
| Quote (sodaworks @ Dec. 31 2005,9:17) |
| Only 5 members were named. I thinking Glen may have been a silient member.... |
Thanks Terry, but I was just a beginner back then. I did learn a lot from the articles. I too have all old copies.
The issue pictured has a good editorial on the Orange Crush 81 which happens to be this topic.
Since the magazine is now defunct I'm sure it would legal to reprint some stories here on this site. I don't have a scanner.
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Jim on December 31, 2005, 08:27:49 pm
Funny this should get mentioned...
I was talking with a couple of people regarding the start of a new publication offered quarterly that would take off where Club Soda left off...
I'm in a planning stage at the moment to see where this could go and where an abundance of new/old information can be acquired for publication...
I'll keep you posted...
I was talking with a couple of people regarding the start of a new publication offered quarterly that would take off where Club Soda left off...
I'm in a planning stage at the moment to see where this could go and where an abundance of new/old information can be acquired for publication...
I'll keep you posted...
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Gumbo on December 31, 2005, 10:17:59 pm
Group,
Being the guy who started this discussion (topic), I would love to have a copy of the article in topic (orange crush 81). If anyone would be willing to mail or fax me a copy, it would be much appreciated. I have been a vintage soda machine colloctor for years, but am new to this site/club. I have already learned a lot form you all. Thanks.
Anderson
Being the guy who started this discussion (topic), I would love to have a copy of the article in topic (orange crush 81). If anyone would be willing to mail or fax me a copy, it would be much appreciated. I have been a vintage soda machine colloctor for years, but am new to this site/club. I have already learned a lot form you all. Thanks.
Anderson
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Eric on January 01, 2006, 02:40:59 pm
Hmmm. if you start it up let me know I had revamped the Club Soda Cap/Logo before it went under
It was a great name if you use it let me know and I'll see if I had kept it.
Yeah there are some great articles and I remember a page on Selmix Dispensers that would be good for
the dispenser area....I'll try and dig it up also.
As far as the OC 81 it was just a picture of the machine..... And what people thought of it (99% thought it fake)
I met the guy who had this machine and he showed me some before pictures.... but of course it was in primer....
and no pictures of it in “original” condition.
Was a great mag.... but like this site better.... But they did do some cool stuff... like finds of the month, member
spotlite... great hunting and finding stories...... Like a guy at an auction bought a pile of old tires
for like a few bucks... everyone thought he was crazy until he pointed out the old coke machine burried under it.
Another guy helped another guy clean off his property of some “old junk”.... which consisted of a few old gas pumps
and a 7up machine.....Free.....
Good Stuff then......
Eric
It was a great name if you use it let me know and I'll see if I had kept it.
Yeah there are some great articles and I remember a page on Selmix Dispensers that would be good for
the dispenser area....I'll try and dig it up also.
As far as the OC 81 it was just a picture of the machine..... And what people thought of it (99% thought it fake)
I met the guy who had this machine and he showed me some before pictures.... but of course it was in primer....
and no pictures of it in “original” condition.
Was a great mag.... but like this site better.... But they did do some cool stuff... like finds of the month, member
spotlite... great hunting and finding stories...... Like a guy at an auction bought a pile of old tires
for like a few bucks... everyone thought he was crazy until he pointed out the old coke machine burried under it.
Another guy helped another guy clean off his property of some “old junk”.... which consisted of a few old gas pumps
and a 7up machine.....Free.....
Good Stuff then......
Eric
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Gumbo on November 10, 2006, 09:38:47 pm
Could someone please post a pic of this "fake" OC 81?
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: sodaworks on November 12, 2006, 10:38:22 am
I'll dig out the article's on the OC81 and scan them. I'll post the aritcles with the photo. Give me a few days I'm currently working 15-16 hour days on a plant shutdown .
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Jim on November 12, 2006, 05:53:49 pm
I posted a photo last year so this made my search a little easier, but searching does help find things...
The thread has a photo:
Orange Crush lovers...
Hopefully helpful...
The thread has a photo:
Orange Crush lovers...
Hopefully helpful...
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: SIGNGUY on November 12, 2006, 11:58:46 pm
I'm not sure where I got this photo, maybe here, but shows a nice VMC OC 81, along with an RC 81 and and Pepsi lightup machine.... For the life of me , can't remember where I got this photo.. i know it was off the web somewhere, a year or so ago?
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: SIGNGUY on November 13, 2006, 12:03:58 am
Anyone seen one of these floating around....I actually was playing around with the idea of creating this for real out of a generic 81. Ol Smoothie Rootbeer was a midwest Drink from 1949 - 1980 or so... It was patented by my Grandfather and his brothers and licensed out of Pine City MN where it was primarily bottled and distributed. thought about making something like this once, but only got as far as the photshop version, and decided that was enough.... I did have a guy make me a picnic cooler however that turned out pretty cool. Just thought I'd throw this out there since were talking about fantasy machines!!!
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Eric on November 13, 2006, 10:06:04 am
Signguy are there any Ol' Smoothie signs that exist?
I'd go with a different paint scheme.. the brown may be too dark ...
Get me some images of some signs or something and I'll work
something up for you....
Cool idea....
I'd go with a different paint scheme.. the brown may be too dark ...
Get me some images of some signs or something and I'll work
something up for you....
Cool idea....
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: SIGNGUY on November 13, 2006, 10:41:42 am
I agree .. it looks like a UPS Truck!... Too Dark... I do have one sign (Cardboard) that was made... THey neve made any tin... I'll shoot an image of it and PM it to you. It's got some cool vintage graphics on it and a character they called Ol SMoothie... I'll post the image here as well tonight.
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: SIGNGUY on November 14, 2006, 12:23:12 am
Here is the picnic cooler I had made. Found this guy on ebay a few years ago. he used repoped picnic coolers, and I sent him an original Ol Smoothie can and he matched color, had the decal made off of scanning the can, and clearcoated it when all said and done. Overall I was pretty happy with it and the price $125 I think...
Eric I'll PM you the larger file of the cardboard.
Eric I'll PM you the larger file of the cardboard.
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: sodaworks on November 14, 2006, 02:29:17 pm
Eric,
I say go for it. Not too many people around that have a connection to a past beverage. Grandpa would be proud.
I say go for it. Not too many people around that have a connection to a past beverage. Grandpa would be proud.
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Gumbo on November 14, 2006, 09:54:07 pm
Jim and Signguy---Thank you for the photos of the OC 81.
Everyone else-Thanks for the insite on the OC 81.
Here is my dilemma... I have 3 generic VMC 81's. I am currently restoring one to a Dr. Pepper with the vintage round porcelain sign on the front and back to it's lime green color. I would like to restore the other two into other soda brands. One I will do as an Orange Cursh and the other, either a Barq's Rootbeer or Mountain Dew. I first thought I would find a vintage sign to mount to the front, like the Dr. Pepper, but trying to find a vintage sign that will fit in that space has been unsuccessful. I then thought I would decal the front, but after seeing the embossed OC 81...WOW! I would feel a little bad about destroy a rare cooler to create a ficticious machine, but again WOW! What are your feelings on this?
Anderson
Everyone else-Thanks for the insite on the OC 81.
Here is my dilemma... I have 3 generic VMC 81's. I am currently restoring one to a Dr. Pepper with the vintage round porcelain sign on the front and back to it's lime green color. I would like to restore the other two into other soda brands. One I will do as an Orange Cursh and the other, either a Barq's Rootbeer or Mountain Dew. I first thought I would find a vintage sign to mount to the front, like the Dr. Pepper, but trying to find a vintage sign that will fit in that space has been unsuccessful. I then thought I would decal the front, but after seeing the embossed OC 81...WOW! I would feel a little bad about destroy a rare cooler to create a ficticious machine, but again WOW! What are your feelings on this?
Anderson
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: sodaworks on November 14, 2006, 11:22:29 pm
Embossed would be better than decal as long as it isn't being sold as original "Rare" one of a kind. I know you wouldn't do that. Do you still have the milk machine for sale?
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Gumbo on November 15, 2006, 08:15:27 am
No, I would make sure one knew it was made up for sure. I would keep them in my personal collection of 81's. Yes I still have the Vendo Milk for sale. It's a very nice mahcine.
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: Eric on November 15, 2006, 08:35:58 am
Decals aren't bad ...heck that's what they used.... But once you start cutting one up and inserting a piece of a sign or cooler embossing that's it... Decals
you could remove and change. I'd go with a decal... That's just me...
you could remove and change. I'd go with a decal... That's just me...
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: loman4ec on November 15, 2006, 09:54:45 am
I agree with Eric. I wouldn't cut up an 81. Besides you could do any OC logo you wanted.
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: MoonDawg on November 15, 2006, 12:21:41 pm
I've seen a generic picnic cooler with vinyl decals that were applied so thick that after clearcoating.............. these letters looked embossed.
Wonder if these embossed letters could be applied directly to bare metal then primer and paint over them
?
Wonder if these embossed letters could be applied directly to bare metal then primer and paint over them
?Title: Vmc 81
Post by: SIGNGUY on November 15, 2006, 02:46:35 pm
I agree that decals would be the way to go? and you could get more creative on the OC 81 with the "Crushy" character and such? Nice collection of 81's Gumbo... the RC 81 red/blue was up near me right? Minneasota... Nice hit! That is the one I was thinking about to do my Ol SMoothie machine but didn't have enough cash on hand to hit the BID button one more time!.
Sure would live a HI REs photo of your machines lined up like that for my Screensaver I have on my computer! is that possible to send me? signguy@cokenstuff.com
Thanks
Sure would live a HI REs photo of your machines lined up like that for my Screensaver I have on my computer! is that possible to send me? signguy@cokenstuff.com
Thanks
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: johnieG on November 15, 2006, 07:13:05 pm
I love that Cooler! hey! let's buy the old Brownie root beer plant here in Detroit & bottle Ol'Smoothy again! I really like the bottle design, power to the independant bottlers of World!
There is a method to apply embossed metal logos & letters to any metal object without using dies & stampings, it's metal spraying, also called spray galvanizing, ( think of a MIG wire welder that would spray the molton metal) it can form just about any shape in soild metal. but it would be solid ( not hollow like embossing) and it wouldn't be cheap in this instance
now if you'd make a silicone mold of the desired "master" (embossed logo) you could them spray this "negative" into a reproduction of the original down to the last detail, then to go a step furture, this repro'd "positive" form could be jig mounted on a form & the generic door positioned over it & a hydralic/rubber forming die could press out as many as you pleased. Ive seen it done here in Detroit, ( my Mom worked at Chrysler stamping for 30 years & was a riviter on the B-29's during WW-II down in the Willow run plant, her boss said she was a "handy" little thing at the time she weighed 90 lbs & was about 4'-6" & could shimmy into the hollow of the wings to "buck" up the inside of the rivits.
bottom line is if you've got the bucks & the will it could be done. so how many RC V-81's can I put you down for?
There is a method to apply embossed metal logos & letters to any metal object without using dies & stampings, it's metal spraying, also called spray galvanizing, ( think of a MIG wire welder that would spray the molton metal) it can form just about any shape in soild metal. but it would be solid ( not hollow like embossing) and it wouldn't be cheap in this instance
now if you'd make a silicone mold of the desired "master" (embossed logo) you could them spray this "negative" into a reproduction of the original down to the last detail, then to go a step furture, this repro'd "positive" form could be jig mounted on a form & the generic door positioned over it & a hydralic/rubber forming die could press out as many as you pleased. Ive seen it done here in Detroit, ( my Mom worked at Chrysler stamping for 30 years & was a riviter on the B-29's during WW-II down in the Willow run plant, her boss said she was a "handy" little thing at the time she weighed 90 lbs & was about 4'-6" & could shimmy into the hollow of the wings to "buck" up the inside of the rivits.
bottom line is if you've got the bucks & the will it could be done. so how many RC V-81's can I put you down for?
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: johnieG on November 15, 2006, 07:27:19 pm
Come on! this line is just begging to hum again with the sound of glass bottles clinking along.....
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: bubba on November 15, 2006, 08:53:39 pm
What would a plant like that cost to buy? Some of these little bottling plants amaze me... I've really taken a liking to Boylan sodas, and they are just a small little plant here in Jersey...
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: coke_and_stuff on November 15, 2006, 09:06:42 pm
I've got the delivery truck, Or working on getting it at least. 1954 Dodge 2 ton with a 331 HEMI, originally a 7up delivery truck.
Joey
Joey
Title: Vmc 81
Post by: SIGNGUY on November 15, 2006, 11:23:36 pm
I have over 125 cases of the original 6.5 oz Coke Green Glass Hobbleskirt Bottles from the 40's 50's. I think where almost there... just need some licenses, legal fees, manpower and ummm... some money to start it up... 