Although
I thought I was chasing a mythical creature for many years, I finally
found physical proof of this jukebox in the summer of 2002. The AACO/Rock-Ola
company quit making these around 1994. Although the details are
sketchy, some say the Coca-Cola Company pulled the license and some
say that was when the license from Coke
expired.
In May
of 2003, someone viewed this very page and saw that I was looking for
this collectible. They gave me a phone number of a restorer and I
called him that week.
According to the gentleman on
the phone, the Jukebox you see above was originally in a bowling alley in Grant's Pass, Oregon. The
owner loaded it in the back of a pick-up and it fell on it's face. This
jukebox was exchanged for another one, and I was told it would take a
couple of months to restore. On August 28 2003, I brought it home from the
shipping depot and unwrapped a refrigerator sized box to reveal this
beautiful unit.
UPDATE! The Peps!-cola
corporation had their ad agency contact me to try and obtain this
Jukebox -as well as my Coca-Cola contour bottle cooler- for a TV ad they
were filming on the East Coast. Once I found out what this was for,
their continued calls went unanswered.
Restoration
completed by:
The Classic Jukebox Works
Wilsonville, OR
(503) 570-0125
Weight:
Approximately 300 lbs Original price: Approximately $6995 Capacity: 100 CDs or 100 45 RPM singles
Additional
details (from brochures):
"Special product for Coca Cola"
This
classic design was first made for the original Coca-Cola Company.
The
top crown, shoulders, pilaster supports, and even the base are carved
out of hardwoods, walnut and alder. The front is finished in satinwood
and burled elm.
Handcrafted
quality cabinets
Hand stained
and hand finished
Available in
walnut and medium oak
No particle
board or formica is used
All die cast
metal trim (19) pieces
Triple plated: Copper, Nickel, Polished Chrome
Solid walnut
pilaster supports
Rowe record
changer and electronics
Other Features
Motor driven color cylinder
Central computer controls all
phonograph functions and stores audit information
Modular construction of all
components for easy service
High powered speaker system
designed to handle additional speakers
Continuous play mode for
either "A" or "B" or both sides (45 RPM)
"Coin operated" or "Free play"
$1.00 and $5.00 bill acceptor
optional
Made in U.S.A.
Video: Watch the Jukebox
change CDs
The serial number and stamp on
the back of my Jukebox
Note to collectors: If
you purchase one of these, make sure the hardwood above the serial number
plate is stamped with the same digits as the plaque. This helps to ensure
that your case is probably the original, not a refurbished version of a
different Jukebox.
