Identification help please...

[callmike2]

Hi, I'm new to this hobby and just received my first square-top coke machine.  The only label on it is on the machine case between the evaporator and condenser.  The number is   71-0531.  That doesn't mean anything to me.   The number on the cavalier plate on the condensor is  Ser. #  27472,  Model  CAV-871.    I was looking for CS-64 or something like that.  It has a Vendo Vari price 50 coin mechanism that trips at $1.75... too rich for my blood. 
The numbers on the coin mechanism are:   Vendo 97AA2410AA   Ser. #  3KA1202387.
I've got it cooling right now and will check the thermometer in a while. 

Any ideas about the model?   There are 8 bottle shelves and they are all adjustable for bottle size.  The vending door is on the left side of the machine.   The insides are generally dirty.  None of the lights on cabinet door light up. 

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

[MoonDawg]

        8 shelves, each holding 8 bottles? 8 X 8 = 64. I'm guessing you have a Cavalier 64

[callmike2]

Makes sense to me.  So, I wonder what the CAV-871 specifies?  I've noticed that there have been other questions over the years regarding the 871  and there were never any really good answers.    Thanks for your help.  Maybe I can help someone along the way.

[johnieG]

Please post a picture, it will help ID the machine.

[callmike2]

OK, the old camera seems to be in working order now.  After a lot of help from a lot of people, this is the info I have.   It could be a CSS-64fs.   Why?   1. CAV-871 compressor package   2.  Flat key  #C267A   3. Inside of front door components.  4. We can tell the machine has been repainted by vendor and probably updated decals.  5.  kick panel at bottom of front door.

some pictures (I hope).

[RC kid]

That's a nice machine to have. It looks to have been up-dated cosmetically to reflect the 70's theme. I have two painted in the solid red with have a coke printed inside a white square on the sides. I think there great little machines that present well in both the garage and patio areas.

Congrats

[callmike2]

Thanks!  I'm trying to gather as much information as possible about these machines.  I would like to take it back to its original paint scheme.  I wish that tag was on the side and then it would be much simpler.  Does anyone know which years the 64F and 64FS wer made? 

Oh, and more importantly, is there a good resource that indexes Cavalier vending machines to model numbers and dates?

[collecture]

I'd leave it as is...if you want a machine to restore, buy one that needs restoration. This one doesn't look like it needs restoration. I don't know what you paid for it, but you can usually find similar machines for under $100 that are in need of restoration. This may not be your preferred paint scheme, but it looks too nice to restore!

A lot of us have more than one machine! 

[callmike2]

That's very nice of you to say.  I do look around for additional machines.  I do like originality.  I can see how you guys (and gals) get hooked on these things.  This hobby deals with function, beauty, antiquity, design and mechanics all in one relatively affordable package.  When growing up we had a country store and as a result we had several different drink machines.  The oldest one I remember was the cold water cooler chest type.  Royal Crown Cola embossed on the side of a relatively large box.  One of my jobs was to keep it loaded.  5 cents would get a cold drink. I remember in the early '60s that Kentucky instituted a sales tax.  We had to raise the drink price to 6 cents.  Talk about customer complaints.  Of course we had no choice but to collect the Bert Combs tax. 

[RC kid]

I agree with leaving this machine as is. It looks really nice and it looks a little different then most machines found.