Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Archives of the best of past topics For Sale Archive, Non-Petro Value on a nice Coke Machine

OK--I don't usually ask for too much help but I have "NO KNOWLEDGE" as to the value of these 2 items. They're both in a sale here locally at the end of the month and I need to know a little before I do anything dumb! I don't know the model of the machine or the size of the Coke button. Hopefully some one of you does!!! Thanks---KEVIN

Vendo 81A unrestored or restored? unrestored $2,000 to $3,000 easy by looking at the picture you posted. Maybe more if restored $4,500 to $5,500 if you sit on it awhile.

Joey

Joey--I'll check with the auctioneer(hes a friend of mine) and see if I can find out a little more!

Does it work? Is it origanal paint? Are the trays there and the change mech.?

Kevin both are nice and if auctioned, would go for a lot.
Both have come down in value(due to overvalued for so long in Coke price guides and the sellers eyes)

The pre '55 all red Vendo 81(could hold 81 bottles, after '55 were red/white) appears to be restored or an unbelievable original. I think 2500+ would be right. The button sign is extremely nice as well-porcelain is worth more than painted(looks painted to me) probably 400+. It looks like a 48" .

Just about daily I see in someones ad selling much less quality versions "these machines restored go for 6-10K", or "the rare Coke button signs in mint shape go for $1200-1500"

At some time ago, on some website or store they might have asked those prices-would like to meet those people that bought them at that price-Las Vegas maybe??

Bring your wallet.....

I just talked to the owner and the machine is original/ unrestored and everything is complete and works great. The button is a 48 inch and is painted.

Nice looking original, and prices thrown out are realistic for a nice original like this 2000-2300, if your looking to buy and turn it , it maybe hard to make money on it at those prices however. I've got several 81s I've been listing at 1800 and they aren't moving, granted they need to be restored, and not display as is clean like this one.
Good luck at the auction.

Well, if pop machines are as time consuming as gas pumps for restoration, I've gotta think a minimum of $1000 for the resto?
I have yet to see this machine in person and maybe that would make a difference but the pictures really make it look good! The only pop machine that I own is an Ideal 55 slider and I would probably sell that if I bought this one.
Will it actually vend anything? Do modern day beer bottles work in it, or was it designed strictly for the little coke bottles?

IT WILL FIT A 7oz to a 12oz bottle,12oz coors light bottles vend nicely from mine!!

I would think the vendo 81 in 9+ working original condition will retail for $3000 to $3500. People are still paying big $$$ for nice clean original Vendo 81's. I think you would be getting a great deal at $2000 to $2500 if it is in 9+ condition. Just my opinion!

Thanks for all the responses guys! I'm going to definitely try to buy it but you never know how an auction will turn out! I've seen pretty average gas pumps go SKY HIGH and then I've gotten terriffic deals at some other auction! Never go to an auction with your hopes up--just go and hope for the best!
Thanks again and I'll check it over real well and use your prices as a guide. At least I'll keep them honest! LOL

I have looked at alot of coke machines lately and found a jacobs in 9+ condition and the lady wants $1200 for it and can not sell it. Hard times to get top dollar for machines

$2,500 TOPS in original condition, I would not restore that machine just replace what needs to be replaced. Like others have said market is VERY soft on Soda Machines.

Joey

Sorry, but the $2000-2500 estimates are way too high in my opinion!

You guys are right that the market is soft. I wouldnt pay more than 1600-1700 for an unrestored machine in that condition. Eventually, he will have to open that machine up and, at least, refurbish it.

A change of insulation and cleaning of the rust plus rustproofing for sure. Otherwise, it will continue to get worse.

I have yet to see a unrestored V-81 go for anywhere near 2K on Ebay in the last year. The latest one sold for $1399 with one bidder.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1950S-Coke-Machine-V...=item23083b7db9

The last Restored machine went for $2650. Restored!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/1950s-Antique-Coke-M...=item3a5c5b5311

Make sure you don't overpay on that machine. Yes it is a nice V81A, but $2500, I think not!!

That is a NICE survivor I would not touch that machine.It is way to nice to restore,it's lasted this long put some wax on it it will last another 50+ years.I agree on the 1800.00-2200.00 range.
Joe

Well I guess I'm wrong on the prices. Good to see them come down to reality.
Kevin you can put longnecks in any "slant shelf" Coke machine.
you can adjust the depth of the shelves for the bottle height.
they roll down the slant as one is vended.
The ones limited to the short Coke bottles have the honeycomb round drum(Vendo 39) that limits the depth of the bottle.
Yes wax that bad boy and the button and dont touch any of the paint-you cant improve nice originals and patina.

Mark

I have seen a red/white original 81 at a restorers place.
SWORE it had been restored. It had been bought and kept in A/C ever since they got it. polished and waxed often..
It was selling in late 90's for $2800.

Where you going to find another???

Heres a ebay auction of a Nice 81A that recently sold on ebay

270595407351

$9.00 shy of $2,000

81 is king pin of the soda machines a nice one will bring good money, a correctly restored one will still bring good money. where as most of the others have tanked due to the economy like a V39, V110, C51 etc.

I have a buyer that buys complete unrestored Vendo 81s, doesnt matter on condition as long as its complete and he pays $1,500.00 for them all day long.

Joey

Yes the market has been soft on them, but is coming back, I get 1800-2000 for unrestored 81's and not in this nice of condition, the Real nice originals like this will command higher prices to the right buyer, a really Really nice 81b sold at the chicago show in teh parking lot for 3200 this year. at first glance you'd swear it was restored, but then could find some signs of original workmanship on the insides but it was a beauty. A well known soda machine collector had no problem shelling out the cash in front of me to the seller.

so it really comes down to how nice the machine is and how many chances you have to buy one..

Good luck on the auction!

Different strokes for different folks! Kind of like gas pumps or anything else, objects often have many different values based on a lot of different conditions! I appreciate everyones help and hopefully it works out to where I'm able to buy it! We have to include the dreaded "SHIPPING" into any equation , in order to figure the value. Its always worth more when the auction is in your own backyard! Thanks guys!

WHAT IS A NICE ORIGINAL 81 WORTH VERSUS A RESTORED 81? GREAT QUESTION!NICE ORIGINALS ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.I THINK WE WILL ALL AGREE ON THAT.NICE CLEAN ORIGINAL ANYTHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN RECONDITIONED,RESTORED,ETC.HAS A SELECT GROUP OF BUYERS THAT WILL PAY A PREMIUM IF ITS WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.ITS ONLY ORIGINAL ONE TIME!NICE MACHINES WILL STILL BRING THAT PREMIUM PRICE.JUST HAVE TO FIND THAT BUYER!

Coheley,
Do you the contact info for the $1200 Jacobs? That sounds like something I would like to pursue if you are not.
Hemi

Wheres the auction at? And does it run?

I just bought a vendo 81A. I noticed that the U/L symbol on the metal serial number tag has been removed. Any idea what this means ?