Vintage Coca-Cola machines are valued by many Coke memorabilia collectors, and many even want an old Coca-Cola machine that will actually vend the drinks. Fortunately, many of these machines have survived and there are many dealers who sell them, restore them and provide parts for repairs and do-it-yourself restorations.



An antique Coca-Cola machine may be little more than a metal box with the familiar bright red Coke logo and slogan. The first vending machines associated with Coke were not automated but simply brand name adorned insulated cases to be filled with bottles of soda and ice. Most had no lid, but this addition helped preserve the ice and the chill. Many of these survive and there are models still being made. Most have a drainage hole for melted ice on the side or on the bottom.

After these early vintage Coca-Cola machines that weren't much more than a glorified ice-box, came a refrigerated unit that didn't need ice. While it did have some advantages over its predecessor, such as a cleaner operation without the ice, it did have to be near an eletric outlet and could require costly fixes.

A major breakthrough came when vending machines became coin-operared. One example displayed Coke bottles through a glass door and, after you deposited your coin, you would pull on the bottle and it would release. One problem with this machine, however, was that if you didn't pull correctly, you just might lose the bottle and your coin!

The next era of coin-operated Coke vending came when companies like Vendorlator and rival Vendo produced machines that would vend the bottles individually without the mechanical malfunctions prevalent in earlier machines.

The majority of early coin-operated Coke vending machines required nickels and exact change. In time, with more refinements, came the ability to give change back as needed. The price of the Coke bottles themselves was always a constant in this era.

Glass bottle vending came to an end by the 1960's when canned soda pop became available. This new container provided several advantages including less breakage, quicker cooling, and no need for bottle cap openers/receptacles. Glass bottle machines had all but disappeared by the end of the 20th century, except as collectibles and curiosities. Newer vending machines now dipense plastic bottles, but there was just something magical about getting an actual glass bottle of Coca-Cola out of machine. For those craving to relive this experience (or perhaps delight in it for the first time), all it takes is a little browsing until you find the perfect old Coke machine for your kitchen or game room. And as you and your guests gulp down a cold bottle from your antique Coke machine, you're sure to realize the other benefit to owning one of these treasures of Americana...