Hires Root Beer Soda Cooler

My wife's grandmother had a store which closed in the early 1970's. The store had a Hires Root Beer cooler with sliding lid, which was made by Quikold in Lima, Ohio. Recently, she came across the cooler, which a local recreation hall had ended up with. They said we could have it for a donation, so we did, and brought the thing home.

Particulars: Quikold Model 1400WD
LxWxH: 44x26x34
Condition: Some rust spots coming through enamel. No rust spots are all the way through the panels. The front bottom panel, kick plate (?), is slightly bent. The top metal is in pretty decent condition. The refrigerator actually appears to work.

Questions:
Value in current condition.
Value in restored condition.
Approximate restoration cost.
Where to have it restored in central PA.

Pics are attached.

 

Welcome to Antiquers Dwyoder!

 

Welcome, dwyoder.
One of your pictures full image, that gets more eyes on it:

 

Thanks!

 

I found a place with a restoration price list and it has an entry for, "Quikoid." Assume it to be a typo.

Anyhow, it's in Tennesse, but maybe it will give you a rough estimate, in terms of what you're looking at, should you decide to restore it.

I used to watch Rick's Restorations a lot and when I saw your cooler, my mind went to him and how amazing his shop could make this look.

Click for price list

 

Cool machine!!! And WELCOME @dwyoder to Antiquers!!!

 

Thanks, Sabre123. Man, if it costs $5000 to restore this thing, I think it looks great, just the way it is! Ha. I assume that is for the refrigerator and interior, too, but, it does appear that they do painting only, so I would expect it to be a lot cheaper than that. I'm going to send them an email.

Here's some follow-up, based on a discussion I just had at a local antique consignment place. One man's opinion there is that the piece is probably worth a couple of hundred bucks, which makes the $5000 restoration even crazier. He thought that if I do get the panels repainted that I should have the painter protect the insignia and touch that up after the main portions are repainted.

But, that is good news, too. I know one of the cardinal sins of antiquing can be restoration. So, if the piece is only worth $200, I can't destroy much value by restoring it, right? Anyway, I appreciate the feedback I've received so far, and I'll keep you posted.

 

My wife remembers going to her Mammie's store, and if the kids were good they would get a penny candy. But, on very special occasions, they would be allowed to get a soda out of this cooler. It was an extra special treat. So, that's the first reason for wanting to get this back to good condition.

Plus, one of her aunt's yesterday called it an eyesore. So, when she shows up to our house for Christmas, I want to show her what an "eyesore" can turn out to be.

 

Nothing beats fond childhood memories.

 

Technically, it's vintage, not antique, and you will not hurt the value by restoring it at all. This piece would look gorgeous restored. It all depends on how deep your pockets are and your desire to show your wife's aunt the finished product.

 

Hi,
I remember when a friend bought a Hires cooler similar to yours. He contacted the Hires company and explained how he wanted to restore the cooler. The company saw the photos and gave him a check for 250 dollars towards the restoration. I do not remember if the guy wanted for himself or was restoring it for a not for profit agency like Big Brothers big Sisters. This was 30 years ago.
greg

 

If you're keeping it, restore away. And welcome!

 

I've done a little research on Hires, and in the last 60 years, they (or the brand) have been bought and sold multiple times. According to Wikipedia, the chronology goes like this:
1960: Hires family sells company to Consolidated Foods
1962: Consolidated foods sells Hires to Crush International
1980: Proctor & Gamble buys Crush
1989: P&G sells Crush to Cadbury-Schweppes
2008: Cadbury divests soft drink. New unit is called Keurig Dr. Pepper

Dr. Pepper also makes A&W root beer, and appears to be slowly killing off the Hires brand. For all I know, it may be 100% dead already. While I appreciate your information, alas, it's doubtful I would find anyone that cares about restoring this thing.

 

I wanted to come back and share the finished product. I appreciate the input from this board.

Steps:

Acquired from town gathering hall. $50
Tore it down just about to components. $0
Had it sandblasted. $40
Took to a body shop for painting. $650
Had decals made, cut out. $75
Showed to wife's aunts/family: Priceless

Probably the most unique thing about the project is the decals. I was thinking all along that the emblems would be painted. However, the body shop guy recommended a decal place. The girl at the decal place made a full decal of the emblem, installed it, then cut out all of the areas that are not raised. I had to walk up and touch it to feel that it is a decal and not painted.

 

Hi,
Nice job!!!!!
greg

 

Dwyoder, that looks fantastic! Thanks for coming back to show it.

 

You did a great job!

That is so wonderful.

 

Was at an estate auction a few months ago that had a few Coca-Cola & Pepsi coolers in similar condition to the photos in the opening post. I believe they sold in the $350-700 range.

I have to say I love the look of your restored piece! What are your plans for use? It would be cool to have it on a covered porch stocked with cold beverages.