Collecting Vintage Coke Machines on eBay
Buyers enjoying the ease and convenience of shopping on eBay can find a variety of vintage Coke machines for sale whether to use, restore, or collect. The oldest ones simply fit on top of a chest-style cooler, allowing you to slip your money into a slot before grabbing your bottle of Coke. While most are made by either Cavalier or Vendo, the condition and age of these used machines makes them worth varying amounts of money.
What determines the value of old Coke machines?There are many different variables that influence the value of a Coca-Cola machine or dispenser. Examples available on eBay include:
- Manufacturer- Many different companies made machines with collectors often paying more for those made by Cavalier and Vendo.
- Age- Generally, older soda machines have more value.
- Model- Some models are more valuable than others.
- Working condition- Machines that will still provide refrigeration for drinks are usually worth more.
- Appearance- Units showing no rust, working seals, and original, unfaded paint are more valuable.
There is no formalized grading system for Coke vending machines. As a general rule, collectors rate vintage machines as:
- Excellent- These machines have very few scratches on the outer edges, and they are either unopened or the original packaging is available.
- Good- Minor rust and dents may be present along with flaking and fading of the paint
- Poor- These machines are dented, chipped, and badly rusted.
Each manufacturer had their own way of dating Coke collectibles, such as classic machines. You can find a vast variety of Vendo Coke soda vending machines on eBay. A red and white silver identification tag was placed inside the door on the linear side for units made between 1945 and 1952. Units made by Vendo between 1952 and 1967 have a black and white identification tag on the outside of the cabinet on the hinge side. On the vending machines made between 1950 and 1969 is a date code with the first number being the last digit of the year the machine was made and the next two numbers the month the machine was made. These three numbers are followed by the machine's serial number.
It is more difficult to date machines made by Cavalier, as one has to know what years that particular model was made. You can find the brass tag providing the serial number on the machine.