Coca-Cola Cavalier 72 Soda Vending Machine

The Cavalier 72 is a round-top model Coca-Cola vending machine that was introduced in 1958. It was built by one of the largest manufacturers of soda vending machines for the Coca-Cola Company, the Cavalier Corporation. This machine is one that we restored at Vintage Vending.

Every soda machine we restored at Vintage Vending followed the same process. First the machine was completely disassembled and all painted parts were sandblasted. All other parts were re-chromed, powder-coated, repainted or cleaned. The coin mechanism was re-plated and rebuilt. Automotive bodywork was performed on all of the sandblasted parts. The machine was painted with PPG automotive paint. Then the machine was reassembled with a new refrigeration compressor and all electrical was replaced.

This machine was restored with the original color scheme. As was popular in the late 1950’s, this machine is predominately white. It is a slant-shelf machine that holds up to 72 bottles, 8 bottles on each of its 9 shelves. These shelves can be adjusted to accommodate bottles ranging from 6 to 12 ounce sizes. This also allows for the vending of up to 9 different flavors. There’s space to pre-cool 17 bottles. Collectors appreciate this machine’s versatility, making it a very desirable model and one of the most popular Coke machines.

The Cavalier 72 also has great style with its small profile and rounded corners. In addition, after depositing your money, the “Have a Coke” lens on the bottle door lights up, indicating that you can pull a soda out. There’s no need to pull down a handle to dispense the soda, as the slanted shelves and gravity make the bottles readily available. Older soda machines were equipped with mechanical coin mechanisms. Because the Cavalier 72 has an electro-mechanical coin mechanism, this machine also allows you to set the price of the sodas up to $1.00, making this vendor an option for use today in a restaurant or store.

Dimensions:
67” high x 24 3/4” wide x 21 7/8”
deep
Weight: 256 lbs.

Manufactured by:

The Cavalier Corporation

Chattanooga, Tennessee

This item is not for sale. We show restored items in this blog to encourage discussion, prompt questions and further the hobby.

To view more pictures of the completed restoration visit the RetroPlanet.com Museum.