Vendorlator VMC 340

[FlaJunkie]

Hi. I'm new to the soda machines world.

I bought a VMC 340, sight unseen on Marketplace, and am looking for ways to get it to my home. In the meantime, I've a few pics of it.

I'm posting in the Pre 60's because I think it is in that era. I'm not sure.

I know it is the 'behemoth' of soda machines back then. At least I know NOW. It weighs ~600 pounds and is 30x35x77! When I first saw it, I did not realize how big it was but I like a small challenge.

My future goal is to evaluate it and refurbish as needed. I don't use the word restore anymore because some fellow car guys pointed out restore means to factory specs with factory parts. Anything else is refurbishment.

The full frontal:





The front showing some lower 'idiot' damage:





The "Here's a Coke" side:





The compressor:





The bottle drop:





The 340 bottle rack:





The coin door:





The coin mechanism:





Drink Coca-Cola:






Oh, and this is the last thing I refurbished:

My 1970 Camaro Z28. I've owned it since late 1971.

[mygoose101]

Welcome to the site. Now, about your machine. I don't know how much you paid for it, (hopefully it's minimal), but honestly I would leave it there and for the reason when you said it weighs 600lbs. Next to impossible to move and overall just too big. It's not worth the cost or effort to do anything to it. I would look for a much smaller model to start with, in the long run I think you would be glad you did.   

[FlaJunkie]

Welcome to the site. Now, about your machine. I don't know how much you paid for it, (hopefully it's minimal), but honestly, I would leave it there and for the reason when you said it weighs 600lbs. Next to impossible to move and overall just too big. It's not worth the cost or effort to do anything to it. I would look for a much smaller model to start with, in the long run, I think you would be glad you did.   

Aww, goose! Where's your sense of adventure?   

I've actually been through that entire logic trail and it gives me a headache.     But I like a challenge.

I've already ordered a manual for it. One of my ideas is to disassemble it for transport. I didn't say it was a good idea. It really depends on if I want to spend the time and money to do it.

And I didn't pay very much for it. Thanks for the comments.

[MoonDawg]

It looks like the bottle drum will slide forward and out, then lift the main door up and off it's hinges. You will then be transporting in 3 pieces.

[FlaJunkie]

It looks like the bottle drum will slide forward and out, then lift the main door up and off it's hinges. You will then be transporting in 3 pieces.

Cool. Thanks for the tip.

Do the manuals from funtronics include disassembly info?

[mygoose101]

Or......just have AAA pick it up on a flatbed, seriously.

[FlaJunkie]

Or......just have AAA pick it up on a flatbed, seriously.

You would be surprised how difficult it is to find moving companies that will move a soda machine. Most will not mix or combine loads. The few that would give an explanation said union and other regulations prohibited it.

I have found one that offered a reasonable quote but could not guarantee a window for pickup.

The plot thickens...

[Bireleys1]

Or......just have AAA pick it up on a flatbed, seriously.

I believe most local towing companies don't care what they flatbed its still $$$$$$ to them. I have seen heavy machinery on flatbeds and even a garden shed on one. As long as they have easy access to the item and can pull up close to it they should be able to do it for you.

Also, nice 1970 Camaro Z28 you have. I myself have a 1970 Chevelle SS396.

[FlaJunkie]

I believe most local towing companies don't care what they flatbed its still $$$$$$ to them. I have seen heavy machinery on flatbeds and even a garden shed on one. As long as they have easy access to the item and can pull up close to it they should be able to do it for you.

Also, nice 1970 Camaro Z28 you have. I myself have a 1970 Chevelle SS396.

I may have someone that will bring it to me. This is a 700+ mile move. I also have a quote from a moving company. Both are reasonable for my boat-anchor VMC 340!

Back in the fall of 1970, I went down to Spence Chevrolet in Daytona Beach to look at a brand new 1970 Z28 they had for sale. I found it in the side lot; It was red with black stripes. Wow!

But right behind it was a 1970-71 Chevelle SS 454. It was white with black stripes and had a four speed. The very neat thing about it was it had a bench seat. I thought THAT would be better for dates than buckets!

My dad wouldn't co-sign for me so they never happened. A year later near Thanksgiving, I found the one I now own in the classifieds. It had headers and 14,000 miles on it. I paid $1900 for it.

To this day, I have never seen another Chevelle optioned like that one!

[FlaJunkie]

Welcome to the site. Now, about your machine. I don't know how much you paid for it, (hopefully it's minimal), but honestly I would leave it there and for the reason when you said it weighs 600lbs. Next to impossible to move and overall just too big. It's not worth the cost or effort to do anything to it. I would look for a much smaller model to start with, in the long run I think you would be glad you did.   

Goose, I do have options including selling it to someone else and escaping the moving fiasco. I really want a smaller machine around late 40s or 50s to play with.

But if I can get it here reasonably, I will take a chance!

Thanks for the advice.