1956 Frigidaire Restoration

[bygted]

I have been checking the internet for years - so I figured it couldn't hurt to check here !

I am restoring a 56 Frigidaire "dolphin handle" These models had a really troublesome design flaw - The trim strip that runs the width of the box directly behind the handle is a cast metal piece and cracks easily. The handle was mounted directly on this trim and puts a great deal of pressure on it when the door is opened.
I have found 4 Fridges over the years and the trim on all of them has been broken.

I am just itchin' to put this box back togther - so if anyone spots anything out there - or knows a parts source worth checking out - please share !
I will buy the whole Fridge if I have to.
Mine is a Deluxe - but I can use the trim off a Super as well.

 

[gansky1]

Wow, that's strange...

I had one of these exact same models and my trim wasn't cracked and I saw another at an estate sale (just like yours in white) and it was fine too. Do you have a close-up shot of the cracked trim?

 

[dirtybuck]

OMG!!!

This is the same fridge we had when I was a kid. It was replaced in the latter part of '71 (but still running and in good working order) when my Dad bought a new avocado green Frigidaire to go out in our new house.

Funny, even though it's been quite a few years, I don't remember the trim cracking on the '56 either. To the best of my knowledge, it was still in good shape when we bid adieu to it.

 

[bygted]

bad luck with trim

Jeez - sounds like I have just had bad luck and found all of the crummy ones ! I emailed some guy yesterday from a Texas Craig's List ad - still waiting to hear back from him...

I will get a pic of the crack in the trim - you can kind of see it in the pic above - a big one just to the right of the handle.
Then, under the handle there is a whole web of them.

 

[turquoisedude]

Nice fridge!

That really is a beautiful design! I saw one in a reconditioned appliance store in Montreal last fall that was absolutely perfect. I have to go this place soon, would it be worth me asking there if they may have any parts for your fridge??

 

[goatfarmer]

That IS a beauty. Frigidaire had some of the best looking 'fridges during the General Motors era!

 

[58limited]

If you are willing to spend a little (ok a lot) of $$, a good automotive chrome shop that restores potmetal can probably fix this.

Cambridge Custom Chrome in Canada is a good place (they have a U.S. address for shipping)

http://cambridgecustomchrome.com/

 

[58limited]

The Finishing Touch is another good shop

http://www.thefinishingtouchinc.com/

 

[bygted]

spending a little

Thanks for these links - I am gonna check them out.

You know - it's funny - I will refuse to pay a lot for the actual washer or dryer or fridge - but then be totally fine with dropping big bucks on finding a missing knob or trim part.
guess I have a problem ...