Ep 12. Harrison's Vendorlator

In Season 3 Episode 12 of American Restoration, titled Harrison's Vendorlator, Rick Dale and his crew take on a unique restoration project when they receive a vintage soda machine, the Vendorlator, from a man named Harrison. The machine, which was produced in the 1950s, has been in Harrison's family for decades, but it hasn't been used in over 30 years.

The Vendorlator was a popular soda machine in its time, and it featured a classic design with a large glass door that displayed the bottles of soda inside. Despite its popularity, the machine is in rough shape when it arrives at Rick's shop. The paint is faded, the wiring is old and frayed, and many of the machine's internal parts are missing or broken.

Rick and his team get to work right away, starting by removing the machine's old paint and rust. They sandblast the entire machine to give it a clean, fresh surface to work with. Once the surface is prepped, they begin the process of repainting the machine in its original colors. They use a special automotive paint that will withstand the wear and tear of being outside in the elements.

While the paint is drying, Rick turns his attention to the internal components of the machine. He needs to find replacement parts for the soda refrigeration unit, which is no longer functional. He scours the internet and visits various suppliers to locate original parts for the machine, but many of them are hard to come by. Eventually, he manages to track down the parts he needs and starts rebuilding the soda cooling system.

As the project progresses, Rick faces several challenges, including a stubborn soda bottle opener that won't work properly. He spends some time tinkering with it until he finally gets it to function perfectly. He also has to replace the machine's original compressor, which is no longer manufactured. He installs a new compressor that will fit the machine's unique specifications.

Overall, the restoration of the Vendorlator is a labor-intensive project that involves many hours of work and attention to detail. Throughout the process, Rick and his team take pride in bringing a piece of history back to life, and they enjoy working with Harrison to ensure that the machine is restored to its former glory.

In the end, the finished product is a beautiful piece of vintage machinery that's ready to dispense cold sodas just like it did in the 1950s. Harrison is thrilled with the outcome and can't wait to have the machine back in his possession. Rick and his team are pleased with the work they've done, and they take pride in knowing that they've played a part in preserving an important piece of Americana.