Cavalier Coca Cola Machine Serial Number Chart
The charts below offer a historical flow of the coin operated Coca Cola machines Cavalier built. There are two charts, 1950's era round top Coca Cola machines and 1960's thru 1970's square top Coca Cola machines
To use these charts, you will need the model number and the serial number of your machine. The model number and serial number of your machine can be found on a brass tag located on the outside cabinet of your machine
DO NOT use the year of your machine to determine value or to obtain parts! All that is needed is the manufacture and model number. The year is for amusement ONLY
What do the letters and numbers in the model number mean?
Here is an example, C-27. Usually, the model number of any soda machine will begin with a letter. This letter is usually the first letter in the manufactures name. In this case "C" for Cavalier Corporation. It is then followed by a dash them the amount of bottles the machine will hold in the vending mechanism which is the model number. In this case "27" This machine will vend 27 bottles total in the vending mechanism
Let's try another one. Example, CS-72. Here we have the first letter of the manufactures name, "C" for Cavalier. Then an "S" which stands for Selector or Selection, meaning more than one flavor of soda can be offered. Machines with just a "C" only offer one selection usually. Then we have the dash and the amount of bottles the machine will vend. 72 in this case
Let's try another one. Example, CSS-96F. Here we have the first letter of the manufactures name, "C" for Cavalier. Then an "S" for Selector. Then another "S" This second "S" refers to a cabinet change. In this case, switching from a round top 50's style machine to a square top 60's style machine. Machines with "CS" will usually be a round top machine. This is not always the case. Cavalier made the model "C-55" and "CS-55" both in square top versions only. The C-55 is a singel selection machine. So, it cannot have a second "S" because there isn't a first "S" The "CS-55" is a 2 selection machine, so it has the first "S" But, why ad the second "S" if you did not add it for the "C-55" So, that machine one odd example of how it sometimes does not work. But for most other machines, the rules do apply. Getting back to our example, we have a dash followed by the amount of bottles the machine will vend, 96 in this case. And finaly and "F" which refers to the series of machine, usually a cosmectic trim change
Let's try something that might throw you. Example, USS-96. Don't worry, most of these rules still apply. Cavalier just changed the first letter because they came out with a machine that could vend bottles or cans, making it universal. So, the first letter was chaged to "U" to signify this
These have all been upright coin operated machines. What about a chest type non-coin operated machine? Example, C-12. The "C" still stands for Cavalier. But since this machine does not vend individual bottles, the "12" refers to how many cases the machine will hold of the old 6-1/2 oz Coke bottles. This machine will hold 12 cases of the old style 6-1/2 oz Coke bottles
Here is another one. Example, CMD-D. This two is a chest type machine. The first "C" still refers to Cavalier. But now we have an "M". This letter refers back to the old days of the 1930's when manufactures has names for there machines instead of model numbers. Names like "Junior" which we the smallest chest type box offered and came with one lid. "Standard" which was simply double the size of a "Junior" and offered two "Junior" size lids. "Master" which was the next size up and as large as you could get and still have only two lids. Then they got really big, "Giant" and offered four lids. In our example we have an "M" which refers back to the "Master" size machine. Usually around 10 to 12 cases. One might consider this to be a medium size machine as well. If you would have a "G" instead of an "M", it would refer the the "Giant" style machine. Then we have a "D" which stands for dry. This again refers back to the 1930's & 40's when most chest type boxes cooled the drinks by chilling the inside tube with water. This was outlawed in 1948 by the US government because most people did not clean the water and cause many people to get sick. The result was a new idea, cool the inside be cooling the air. Something we have all become very use to now. And this was called the "Dry" box meaning, no water was needed. Then we have a dash followed by a final "D" which simply refers to the series of machine. Usually some cosmetic feature
Click on the Coke machine model number to the left for more information and specific serial number data
Disregard any letters in your serial number and focus on the numbers only
1950's Era Cavalier Coke Machines
Model #
C-27 1949 1950 Discontinued
C-51 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 Discontinued
C-33 1956 1957 Discontinued
CS-72 1957 1958 1959 Discontinued
CS-96 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 Discontinued
1960's - 1970's Era Cavalier Coke Machines
Model #
CS-64 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 Discontinued
CS-80 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 Discontinued
C-55 1961 1962 1963 Discontinued
CSS-96 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 Discontinued
Back to Vintage Soda Machines
Cavalier 27 Coca Cola Machine
1949-1950
41" Tall, 18" Wide, 22" Deep
The C-27 Coca Cola Machine was Cavaliers first attempt at a dedicated coin operated soda machine. Cavalier did have coin operated machines before this model, however they were open chest boxes where a coin operated top had been added
To operate the Cavalier C-27, you inserted 5 cents in the slot to the upper right, the inserted coin mechanically allows you to turn the small "Ships Wheel" style handle. This action retrieves 1 of the 27 bottles this machine vends and drops it out the chute below. If the machine was "Sold Out", it would light the red "Empty" light next to the coin chute
The "Ships Wheel" handle was installed on the first couple of runs. Then Cavalier changed the handle to a Star Wheel or what more looked like an Orange Squeezer looking handle. We believe they did this because the Ships Wheel handle could get broken very easily. The Cavalier C-27 Coca Cola machine will only vend one selection and it will only hold the new 8 oz Coca Cola bottles or the small 7 oz beer bottles if you wish
The Cavalier 27 is a very small machine, originally indented for small businesses or offices. So, it is a perfect size for any room in your home. The Ships Wheel on the front has certainly made the C-27 very desirable, even though it only offers one selection. Keep in mind, Cavalier only produced around 5600 of the C-27's in less than two years. So, not only is the C-27 rare to find but parts are as well. And not many reproduction parts have been made for this model either for the same reasons, not a huge demand. Also, the C-27 usually came with a less than great Frigidaire cooling system. This can be replaced with a new, more efficient cooling system. It is a cost to factor in when repairing or restoring a C-27. Bottom line, this is a great collectable, nice small machine that could even fit in your kitchen. You're best to start with a complete one
DO NOT use the year to determine value or to obtain parts! All that is needed is the manufacture and model number. The year is for amusement ONLY
Disregard all letters in your serial number and focus on the numbers only
Date Coca Cola Cavalier C-27 Serial numbers
2-1949 148051 thru 148350
5-1949 152101 thru 152600
7-1949 156101 thru 157100
5-1950 167591 thru 168090
7-1950 170691 thru 171190
Total C-27 built = 5600
Back to Vintage Soda Machines
Cavalier 51 Coca Cola Machine
1950-1960
65" Tall, 25" Wide, 21" Deep
DO NOT use the year to determine value or to obtain parts! All that is needed is the manufacture and model number. The year is for amusement ONLY
Disregard any letters in your serial number and focus on the numbers only
Date Coca Cola C-51 Serial numbers
12-1950 Produced 100, we have no documentation
1951 177251 thru 194557
1952 196059 thru 208308
1953 209309 thru 228202
1954 228216 thru 239652
1955 239953 thru 248752
1956 255258 thru 260266
1957 262371 thru 269081
1958 275132 thru 291832
1959 301334 thru 318836
1960 335164 thru 350970
Total C-51 built = 52,453
Back to Vintage Soda Machines
Cavalier 33 Coca Cola Machine
1956-1957
41" Tall, 18" Wide, 22" Deep
The C-33 Coca Cola machine was introduced in late 1956. Cavalier needed a machine that would fit the smaller office type locations since their C-27 model had not been produced since late 1950. They chose the platform from the C-27, re-engineered the inside to accommodate one more six pack and exchanged the crank mechanism to the newer handle type that had proven itself by now. Cavalier also took this opportunity to install the much more reliable Tecumseh cooling unit. So, the C-33 operated the same as the C-27, but offered greater bottle capacity, a more reliable vending handle and a more reliable cooling unit
In 1956 Coca Cola began a new advertising campaign. Coke wanted a fresher new look. From 1956 on, all Coca Cola machines would have a two tone scheme painted with DuPont Iceberg White. All Coca Cola C-33's came with a red cabinet and a white front door. Cavalier did produce around 500 C-33's specifically for 7-UP as well
The Cavalier C-33 will only vend 33 of the new 8 oz Coke bottles or the small 7 oz beer bottles if you wish. It is a single selection machine. Cavalier only produced around 2500 of the C-33. That is half as many as the C-27. Yet, the C-33 seems to be easier to find and get parts for. Perhaps this is because the C-33 was produced in the late 50's? Cavalier produced the C-33 in a series "A" and "C" We do not know the difference between these. If you do please contact us
DO NOT use the year to determine value or to obtain parts! All that is needed is the manufacture and model number. The year is for amusement ONLY
Disregard any letters in your serial number and focus on the numbers only
Date Series Coca Cola C-33 Serial numbers
09-1956 C-33A 252753 thru 252852
11-1956 C-33C 258258 thru 258757 For 7-UP ONLY, not Coke
02-1957 C-33C 261267 thru 262266
10-1957 C-33C 271226 thru 271725
Total C-33 built = 2500
Back to Vintage Soda Machines
Cavalier CS-72 Coca Cola Machine
1957-1959
57" Tall, 25" Wide, 22" Deep
DO NOT use the year to determine value or to obtain parts! All that is needed is the manufacture and model number. The year is for amusement ONLY
Disregard any letters in your serial number and focus on the numbers only
Coca Cola Cavalier CS-72 Serial numbers
Date CS-72A Serial Numbers Date CS-72B Serial Numbers
1957 271726 thru 273225 1959 310476 thru 321336
1958 273632 thru 294332 Total CS-72B built = 4500
1959 295333 thru 308934
Total CS-72A = 15,000 built
Back to Vintage Soda Machines
Cavalier CS-96 Coca Cola Machine
1957 - 1963
67" Tall, 25" Wide, 22" Deep
DO NOT use the year to determine value or to obtain parts! All that is needed is the manufacture and model number. The year is for amusement ONLY
Disregard any letters in your serial number and focus on the numbers only
Coca Cola Cavalier CS-96 Serial Numbers
Date CS-96A Serial Numbers Date CS-96B Serial Numbers
1957 271826 thru 273625 1959 311436 thru 322336
1958 274132 thru 294832 Total CS-96B built = 3500
1959 296333 thru 309934
Total CS-96A built = 10,500
Date CS-96C Serial Numbers Date CS-96D Serial Numbers
1960 328139 thru 346870 1961 353522 thru 375674
Total CS-96C built = 5500 Total CS-96D built = 5500
Date CS-96E Serial Numbers
1962 379875 thru 398176
1963 401677 thru 423576
Total CS-96E built = 8000
Back to Vintage Soda Machines
