Written by Derek on March 19, 2010, 6,309 views
Look at this gorgeous Vendo 39 Coke vending machine. (Thanks to Bill for this photo!) This model came in solid red, and two-tone (pictured left). The Vendo 39 was produced from 1949 to the mid-50′s. Inside, the bottles were contained in a drum that rotated to dispense the drink. In the bottom of the unit sat the refrigeration motor. The coin mechanism on the front took both dimes and nickles. The machine stands 58 inches high, 27 inches wide, and 16 inches deep. Restored this machine could sell for $3200 and up. The words “Coca-Cola in Bottles” was embossed on the front. (The $.10 decal on this picture is painted of a decal.)
The Vendo Vending Company started in 1939 and later moved to Fresno California. They produced coin-operated vending machines for both Coke and Pepsi. Here’s a snippit from the Vendo Website describing the company history.
The beverage-vending machine, so universally recognized today, traces its roots back to the 1930’s.
The first machines were not coin-operated, but simple coolers packed with ice and bottles of soda that operated on the honor system. That didn’t necessarily denote a more honest time, but rather a lack of needed technology. When the first coin-operated machines appeared, they worked poorly, jamming frequently and accepting almost any kind of slug. Brothers Elmer F. and John T. Pierson changed all that. The Piersons purchased a patent for a simple, inexpensive and reliable vending lid. This lid could be locked on top of the Westinghouse and Frigidaire chest coolers already present in service stations and grocery stores, thereby converting them into vending machines. With $3,000 in start-up capital, the brothers started The Vendo Company in 1937 in Kansas City, Missouri. Joined by J.E. Hagstrom and his company, they developed the first truly workable vending system, a lid called “The Red Top”. The lid moved the delivery opening to the next bottle in the chest, rather than moving bottles through the ice. This innovation eliminated the jamming problem and made the machine simple and practical. “The Red Top” was not only responsible for creating a major market almost overnight, it also changed the world of beverage retailing forever.
Here’s a sample of the service manual for the Vendo 39.
Do you have a Vendo vending machine? Tell me about it in the comment section below!
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Do you have a Vendo vending machine? Tell me about it in the comment section below!
1:06 pm on July 4th, 2010
I own a Vendo 39 in the 2 tone very much like the one pictured but it does not have Vendo embossed on the lower right hand corner. I believe this machine is an early 39 and most probably was all red at sometime in its life. I had not used the machine for several years and plugged it in 3-4 days ago and lo & behold it got cold. I put 24 glass bottles in but the next morning the machine wasn’t cooling. Turned the actuator handle counterclockwise to open the cabine to get access to the thermostate switch and now the actuator handle doesn’t go it its correct position. Know anyone out there that can tell me how to correct this? Thanks.
11:45 pm on July 26th, 2010
Recently ran across a vendo 39B5 serial#f3048870
This machine is painted light blue Pepsi and has Pepsi decals on it. The top front of the machine has a sheet metal cover riveted over the coke emblem. I was wandering if the factory would have produced any of these Pepsi machines in their infancy. thanks,
11:31 pm on August 23rd, 2010
I have a Vendor 39 and I am missing the drum
inside to rotate the bottles.
Can you advise me if the drums are available;
Thanks Larry Watson.
3:22 pm on November 17th, 2010
I have a vendo 39 all red. It works but I would like to overhall it. Where can I get a manual for the machine. Thanks
6:10 pm on February 4th, 2011
I have a vendo-39 I would like to sell. Any suggestions of how I might go about it?
Thanks!
5:49 pm on February 5th, 2011
Would like to know more about vendo 39 Kelly Alexander has for sale.
2:46 am on February 18th, 2011
Larry Watson – I just bought a Vendo 39, also painted blue with a metal Pepsi riveted on the front, and with Pepsi decals on the top of each side and the lower left of the front door….have you identified what you have> Should I restore it to Pepsi or Coke, which is worth the most/ Thank you!
5:58 pm on April 5th, 2011
We have a Vendo 39. Made in Jan 1953. Works perfect. Excellent condition, nothing wrong with it. Need to sell
We love it, however no room since we became Grandparents 6 months ago. This is my 1st time selling anything on line, Any suggestions?? It would be greatly appreciated!!!
4:29 pm on July 2nd, 2011
Vendo 39 fully restored for sale. 620-five-zero-eight-6135 for pictures and price.
2:44 am on October 12th, 2011
hello and thank you all for reading my post
i have a beautiful vendo 39 however the condensor that sits on the fram under the refridgerator and behind the compressor became porous .am wondering if any one know where i could get one of these or if anyone has any suggestions ,
frank from tewksburyma
1:01 am on December 24th, 2011
hello im miguel from venezuela i have a vendo 39 but i dont have the measures of frontal cover, can send me the dimensions of the holes of the frontal cover?!! my mail is nimu.veg@gmail.com sorry my english but i talk spanish!
thnk!!