1930's Crosley Shelvador fridge...

[turbokinetic]

<span style="font-family: inherit;" data-offset-key="e74kf-0-0">Got an oldie here! This is a 1930's era Crosley Shelvador fridge. For those not up on the history of Crosley fridges, they are an important part of our history. Crosley radio company, along with several other early 'vacuum tube radio' makers branched out into other products such as fridges. One of Crosley's engineers came up with idea that lots of additional storage space could be made by mounting shelving in an indent in the inside of the fridge door. Crosley patented this design and defended it through the 1950's; without licensing it to any other US appliance brand.</span>

<span style="font-family: inherit;" data-offset-key="cg4pj-0-0">Even though storage in the fridge door is ubiquitous now, we have to remember that someone came up with that idea and it was a patented concept for many years!</span>

<span style="font-family: inherit;" data-offset-key="d4qlf-0-0">Crosley stopped manufacturing the Shelvador in the 40's and contracted with Kelvinator to manufacture the Shelvador for them. It was still a Crosley-only model and only sold through Crosley; but manufactured by Kelvinator. This is good for us enthusiasts because Kelvinator is legendary for their reliability and build quality. Furthermore it helps with locating parts since the parts are common between the Crosley and Kelvinator models of the same era. In this video, I have a very early Shelvador which was a random road-trip find while traveling several hours north of my home state. It is all original, aside from some missing parts such as the shelves and racks. This model has a top-mounted belt-drive compressor. It's a single cylinder compressor driven by a Delco repulsion-induction motor. The whole compressor unit is suspended on springs for vibration and noise reasons. A previous owner had laid the whole thing on its side and allowed the mechanical parts to tumble in the cabinet, breaking a line..</span>

<span style="font-family: inherit;" data-offset-key="elo7r-0-0"> Hope you enjoy seeing this old piece of history! </span>

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[repairguy]

Awesome!

 

[circlew]

Oddly enough, I've never known anyone who had a Crosley refrigerator; ranges and freezers, yes. I wasn't aware that Kelvinator had made the Shelvador after a certain date. Did Kelvinator make their other appliances too?

I went past the Crosley Building on Arlington St. a little while ago. An adjoining building burned a few weeks ago, but I don't know if Crosley ever used it or not. A portion of the burned building was quite a bit older than the Crosley Bldg., and it was totally destroyed. Another section in front was newer and still standing, but heavily damaged. They are due to be demolished soon, so hopefully the Crosley Bldg. will be renovated after that, as then there will be plenty of space for parking.

 

[rp2813]

David --

Amazing how easily that fridge came back to life! 

 

I agree with retaining the patina.  It adds to the character.

 

[turbokinetic]

Thanks Melvin! 

 

Tom; I wouldn't know if Kelvinator made the other Crosley major appliances. I'm just a fridge guy and not really up on the other types of appliances.  Very sad about the older neighboring building to the Crosley building. But as you said, maybe it will open up the area for the Crosley building to be refurbished and put to good use. 

 

Ralph; yep I am considering putting some low-gloss clearcoat on the finish! Want to preserve it just like it is. 

 

As an update, it's still working well after three days. So far no shaft seal leaks! 

Sincerely,

David