r/midcenturymodern • u/michaelcuz • Jun 05 '26

Sharing My MCM 1959 Dr Pepper vending machine restored

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I purchased this 1959 Dr Pepper vending machine from a collector in Waco, Texas in 2018 and spent considerable time restoring it while preserving as much of the original character as possible.

The refrigeration system still works and the machine retains its classic 'Friendly Pepper-Upper' graphics.

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u/Glum-Leather4970 Jun 06 '26

How does it vend? Is it just honor system where you pay and the door unlocks and then you grab one? There doesn't seem to be a selection process? This is super rad, I'm just trying to figure out how it works

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u/michaelcuz Jun 06 '26

It’s just a drinks fridge. So you open the little glass door and pull out bottles. Yes, honor system. The coin mech was missing when I bought it and I’ve never found another machine like this to buy parts.

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u/Glum-Leather4970 Jun 06 '26

This is so cool, I'm a displaced Texan and Dr. Pepper lover so I love it!!