Clone RC 81 on Ebay...

[SIGNGUY]

have you guys seen this one yet?  

It's at least advertised as a clone, but at original pricing??

and the work was done very well by the looks from the photo...

my question is if making a clone, and advertising it as a clone, then why go through the work to disquise the welded in panel???

what if any are tell tale signs it's a clone, is the embossing correct match to original?

Lets Discuss!  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-VMC-Vendo-81-Royal-Crown-Cola-Machine-Restored-Embossed-Clone-/111530810662?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f7c11d26

[jholmgren]

Props to the seller for being honest about it.  Looks like a nice restoration from what I can see - does seem a bit high on the price though considering it isn't a genuine original.

[MoonDawg]

Q


       His picture that you posted John, is of an original RC 81.........NO welding has been done to it.
       And it has the embossed "R" trademark behind the 'N'.
       The machine in his auction does not have the embossed 'R'.   
       He did modify an original VMC main door, but the single louver cabinet and compressor are from a Vendo.
       
       I too, wonder why he would post that inside picture of a different machine.

[mygoose101]

Not that I could ever afford one but this is the reason why I would never buy an RC 81 restored. I would only buy an original. I also feel why this is the reason why a original should be worth more than a restored one. It's a shame that people had to ruin this machine by making fake versions.

[Jared]

Where does the welded in embossing come from? What donner machine?

[cokecolaman]

I saw the machine in person last year as he was restoring it...the Trademark is embossed, but not as well as an original machine. I think I even remember seeing the inside of the door and I think the trademark looks better on the inside then the outside. On the outside of the door its just not as crisp...

I had just made a trade for what I think is a fantasy RC 81 just before making the trip to Arlington (Dallas Cowboy fan). His machine looks a lot like mine, just restored. He was almost done and was putting it back together when I was there.

I also think his price isn't that far off...when others are getting $12,500 for other fantasy machines. When I got my machine, I looked at it as an insurance policy...I didn't pay (in trade) what an original RC 81 was going for and it was going to stop me from spending $15,000 or $20,000 on the real deal.

Now if a real one comes up for sale for around $10k, I'm all in....but in the meantime, I have an embossed RC 81 that I can live with and my wife hasn't divorced me yet.

[Creighton]

Good eye Glen. I wonder about this statement in the listing:
"Front Door now has Correct Original Royal Crown Cola Embossed Letters"
Being a fantasy piece "Correct" "Original" is misleading at best.

Hope someone doesn't get burned on this.
Creighton