This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 7/8/2004.
The Vendo Company was founded in 1937 to manufacture a new and innovative mechanism for vending bottled soft drinks. Retooled during WWII, the company was the largest manufacturer of airplane radar antennae. Today, they are one of the largest vending machine manufacturers in the world, and their early machines are much sought after by collectors. This is a 1950s Vendo model V-81 for Coca-Cola, one of the most popular models. The "81" in the model number signifies that this machine vends 81 bottles. Being a "shelf" machine, the V-81 can vend as many as nine different products. Produced only during the mid-to-late 1950s, the first V-81 was solid red in color and had many features that would disappear in later years, such as the green plexiglass "Have A Coke" lens in the bottle door (later changed to clear). Weighing over 275 pounds and measuring 58" high x 27" wide x 16" deep, this machine has been fully restored, is in mint condition and fully functional. Shipping will be expensive for this item.