They are a pretty common , usually have the woodgrain finish.  Pretty reliable machine, I know of a couple around town still in commercial service.  I think the light up sign is worth as much as the entire machine. There are a couple of threads on here where members took off the woodgrain and turned out a pretty nice machine.  Not much collectable value, but great for everyday use.
Yep - Halehouse did a nice conversion on one.  I have two of them in the basement (one clean not cooling, one filthy but cooling) - that I am planning to combine into one working unit.  I think I paid around $150 for the pair.  I plan to try my hand at a conversion from woodgrain to something else, haven't decided on a theme but it is one of those "around to it" projects so it'll probably be a while.
Jim