Please remember soda machines are NOT made by the brand that they vend but are made by different manufacturing companies for the soda bottlers.
SINGLE vs MULTI-PRICE Machines: On almost all Makes Models of soda machines the easy way to tell the difference is a multi-price will have a digital display (usually red) that prints different messages (e.g. Try another selection, Sold Out, etc.). Were as a single price machine will only have a red plastic rectangle that will only light up with "use correct change".
ID PLATE LOCATION: The following major brands represent 90% of soda machines manufactured. On these brands (Vendo, Dixie-Narco and Royal) the make, model and serial numbers are on a plate on the left side of the of the door located about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom.
If the plate is missing you can still find the brand name/manufacturer in alternative locations (see pictures below). Then you can get a good idea of which model it is from the DIMENSIONS (H x W x D) and CANS DEEP (number of cans deep machine will hold). For starters the major* model machines from the major manufacturers come in 2 heights 72" and 79" and are either 2 can deep (can only) or 3 can deep (cans or bottles). In most cases the model number represents the total capacity in number of cans. In some cases the same dimensions are for 2 or 3 model numbers but they are essentially the same basic machine, the only differance is the number of selections (more selections = lower total can capicity). Note: In some instances different sources gave conflicting specs, we went with the manufacturers tech docs first, then with majority rules. Also, dimensions are rounded to nearest inch.
This gives us the following:
DIXIE-NARCO:
H57" x W28" x D30", 2 can deep = model 168 or 180(depending on # of selections), can only
H66" x W28" x D30", 2 can deep = model 240, can only
H72" x W28" x D30", 2 can deep = model 276 or 300(depending on# of selections), can only
H72" x W30" x D35", 3 can deep = 276E*, can & bottle
H72" x W37" x D30", 2 can deep = model 368 or 360 or 348(depending on # of selections), can only
H79" x W37" x D30", 2 can deep = model 440 or 414(if/10 selections), can only
H72" x W37" x D32", 3 can deep = model 501 or 522(if/6 selections), can & bottle
H72" x W37" x D35", 3 can deep = model 501E*or 522E*(if/6 selections), can & bottle
H72" x W37" x D32", 3 can deep = model 600, can & bottle
H72" x W37" x D35", 3 can deep = model 600E*, can & bottle
BevMax models are glass front beverage vendors (see pic in photo gallery)
Most of the above models were made in both flat and curved front, with curved front the depths will be a few inches deeper.
*E machines are extended depth machines.
VENDO:
72" high x 37" wide x 32" deep, 2 can deep = model 407/392, can only
79" high x 37" wide x 33" deep, 2 can deep = model 475, can only
72" high x 39" wide x 35" deep, 3 can deep = model 480, 511/540, can & bottle
79" high x 39" wide x 35" deep, 3 can deep = model 601, can & bottle
72" high x 33" wide x 35" deep, 3 can deep = model 576, can & bottle
72" high x 39" wide x 35" deep(curved front), 4 can deep = model 720 V-MAX (72 cans/32 bottles per column)
79" high x 39" wide x 35" deep(curved front), 4 can deep = model 840 V-MAX (84 cans/38 bottles per column)
72" high x 33" wide x 35" deep, 4 can deep = model V-21/621 (68 cans/30 bottles per column x 8 selections, no shims needed)
72" high x 39" wide x 35" deep, 4 can deep = model V-21/721 (68 cans/30 bottles per column x 8 selections, no shims needed)
79" high x 39" wide x 35" deep, 4 can deep = model V-21/821 (80 cans/36 bottles per column x 8 selections, no shims needed)
Vue 30 & 40 are glass front beverage vendors (see pic in photo gallery)
Most of the above models were made in both flat and round front
* Yes, there are dozens of small, short and oddball machines made by the major as well as minor manufacturers. It is beyond the scope of this post to cover those machines. The major models account for 90%+ of all machines made.
Here are alternative locations to find the Brand name/make (see pictures below):
Dixie-Narco brand on coin slot bezel
Vendo brand on coin slot bezel
Dixie-Narco brand on coin return bezel
Vendo brand on coin return
Vendo id tag on inside door frame
