Posted 14 years ago
Mike213
(2 items)
edit: not sure why pics wont load? heres links to them on photobucket if they don't show up above..
pic 1: http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/mikemizzie/cokecooler.jpg
pic 2:
http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/mikemizzie/cokecooler2.jpg
Hello everyone! I recently saved this old coke cooler from sitting in a basement for the past 20+ years. It is by no means "mint". It has original paint (well, what's left of the pant haha). It has all the parts with it still. Including the bottle opener on the side, inner tray, the lid/handle, drain plug & all hardware. It's by FAR a gem.. it's definetly had a hard life! No holes or dents aside from a small dent on the side which looks easily fixable.
I seen this poor little cooler sitting dusty under a pile of crap in a friends grandfathers basement. I made an offer on it and took it home. I spent $25 on it and have no interest to sell it or make a profit. I love the look of this cooler so even if I over paid I'm still happy with it. I'm just happy to have saved an old coke antique and give it some more life! Looks like a great cooler to take fishing and use as a conversation piece. I'm not a coke collector however I believe this may have started my collection! I've always wanted to start collecting coke stuff but never found anything local. Happy to have it.
I have a couple of questions if anyone can help me out?
Now why I'm posting this is because I'm just interested if anyone can tell me a little about it? Such as age, history, and just for the heck of it I'd like to know it's worth, if any... (both as is and restored if possible.) I don't plan to sell but would be "cool" to know it's worth amoung collectors.. I realize these are fairly common.
Here's some info on it.. Sorry for the horrible pic I took this off my cellphone when I put it in my jeep. Like I said it has original paint (very aged, but still red) no rust or rot, inside of it is actually very clean no rust. the coke emblem on both sides are still mostly "white" and are raised lettering.
on both sides it says:
"Drink
Coca-Cola
In bottles"
under that is stamped/raised lettering saying:
ACTION MFG CO. INC
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS
MADE IN U.S.A.
U.S. PAT NO. 0-152580
2570300 2576874
CAN. PAT NO. 86 POLIO 15064 (I have to recheck this line i wrote it down in a hurry and not sure if it's 100%)
OTHER PATS PENDING
I hope this info can help someone help me out!
One last question, should I restore this or leave it as is/ If I restore it myself does it effect value/charm in a negative way? I have no problem grabbing some coke red and white paint and making this look good again if it's not a bad idea.
Thanks any comments appreciated! I realize I don't have a jackpot gem here so no worrys! Sorry for the dark picture I'll post more later on.. It actuallys looks a LITTLE better in person than in the picture..
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks for your reply.. as for lots of "copy" I just figured i'd put as much info as possible, I'm not an expert on thesse.. Also I'm a long winded person I tend to talk alot haha!. :) I doubt I will use this as a planter, That's actually kind of insulting haha. But no worrys I appreciate your reply.. Like I said a few times during my original post I realize what I have isn't a gem so no need to really stress the fact.
About the restoration, I'm 90% sure I'll leave it as is, atleast for now. However when I said I'd "grab some coke red and white paint" I totally realize there is much more to it such as surface prep, hardware restoration etc. I'm a firefighter but I restore classic cars as a hobby/previous job so I know there is much more to it haha but I appreciate your honesty! My concern wasn't the cost of restoration since I have a sand and soda blaster in my shop as well as anything needed for prep and paint (i'd have to find the correct color red, any idea what this is? is it as simple as 'coke red' I assume like auto paint there is an Id code?) but as far as the restoring I'm positive I could execute it without issue. What I'm concerned about is if it will effect future value.. as common and inexpensive as these are I don't want to hurt any value.
Can anyone else chime in if they see this? Just wonder the approx year (I did search around but couldn't find my exact cooler, I find similar looking but with differant drain location, or size as well as only saying "coca cola" or "enjoy coca cola" mine says the later as well as "in bottles" I haven't seen one like it with info on the ballpark area of date.
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks so much for your info. If you don't mind me asking how did you get 1958? I'm happy with that year just wondering how you figured that out because I seen one on ebay that had the same numbers as mine but looked a tad differant. Thanks very much big help! -Mike
Thanks Ray, I'll definetly have to check that book out especially since I plan to collect some more in the future. I think I caught the coke collector bug! When I was a kid I had some coke things nothing vintage mostly holiday collectables and such but since having/raising kids and a number of other things I never got around to coca-cola collecting, I think now I have the time to begin a small collection for my "man cave"! My fiancee has her Disney collection so It's my turn! haha . Ray, In your pics theres an album with a coca-cola themed room featuring a 50's style diner/bar.. Is that your collection? If so, all I have to say is WOW! No wonder you use old coke coolers as planters, Awesome collection! Well done.
Question to anyone who can answer.. Anyone know what color shade is or is the closest to "Coke Red" ? I plan to call my paint supplier in the morning but figured I'd like to get the more correct number, I searched the web and found about 10-15 differant colors all claiming to be "coca cola red". Also , Is the white a simple white, off-white, eggshell white?
Thanks,
Mike
P.S. Forgot to add... Can anyone comment on if (if properly color matched and restored) it's a good idea to restore it or leave it all original? The reason I ask is because, Like with classic cars sure everyone loves a nice paint job, However every car guy has a soft spot for those barn found all original paint and interior cars as beat up as they are.
I'm not really worried about re-sale I'm more or less interested if it's more desirable item un -touched. (let's say for example (excluding price differance) You're looking at some rare coke cooler/item, are you more interested in a nicely restored item or an all original barn fresh item.. ? I'm stuck in a pickle! I would love to restore it and bring it back to it's better days but I'm worried removing that old beat up paint will remove the lure and charm of it being so ol/vintage..
let's forget the fact it's a common cheap cooler, let's talk about it from a collecting/wanting standpoint please!
-Mike
I agree with Ray. I have a Diet Rite cooler in my pictures. If it were restored I wouldnt want it anymore. The allure of collecting old things, for me, is seeing the history on it. Sure finding something in it's original condition is always a thrill. But you cant recreate that thrill with a new paint job.
Ray is the Coke guy and knows his stuff! As for the color of the cooler. I'll see if my husband knows, he paints cars. Keep in mind however he will be able to give you a paint code, not a color. Do you know anyone that paints cars professionally? They have code books for about everything (or should) I can see having it repaired if you go to car shows, I see that all the time. Me I like them just as they are.
Oh well heck here it is.
http://www.colamachines.com/howto/Paint-Codes.htm