1964/1965 GE Americana Fridge - St. Jo, MO

[swestoyz]

Not the most practical thing in the world, but still, very, very cool (no pun intended).  Another one of those, "If I had room" deals.

 

The ad is a little old so it may not be around any longer as the price isn't that bad...

 

Ben

http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/app/3802478307.html

 

[bluejay]

I think these are pretty cool and would add some nice prep space in a smaller kitchen. I just wonder how they held up, as I think I've ever only seen 3.

 

[combo52]

GE Americana Refrigerator

Looks like his one is heading for the appliance museum here in Beltsville.

 

Jason I too have only seen a handful of these cool refs. The unusual size kept them from fitting in most existing kitchens and they were short on fresh food space and expensive to buy. I have had one of these in my mountain house for at least 15 years, they are very well built and hold up very well [ They use all the same mechanical components from GEs 34" wide bottom freezer refs produced throughout the 1960s ] and amazingly this ref only uses around 150 KWs per month which while is three times a new 15 cubic FF ref is still not that bad for the time.

 

And Thank You Ben for posting this John.

 

[swestoyz]

Glad to hear it's heading to Beltsville!  I have absolutely no room here, so I'm always happy to post some of the unusual stuff I run across.

 

[combo52]

GE Americana Refrigerator

It arrived this evening at about 8PM, our favorite shipper Jackie picked it up at the auction house in Missouri. My roommate Rick and I got it off the truck and rolled it down the ramp and it is safely in the warehouse.

 

It is in incredible condition, it looks like the entire ref has just been waxed, and there doesn't seem to be any sign that food was ever stored in it. It is great to be able to get one in this condition, I will try to get some pictures posted, Thanks again Ben for alerting AW members to this cool find.

 

I would recommend Jackie to anyone that wants an appliance moved, SHE makes it happen so you don't keep saying    I Wish It Was Closer.   Her phone # is 206-433-8539

 

[swestoyz]

Yay - that's good news John! I need to have something shipped ASAP, so I'll give her a call.

Ben

 

[tamara]

1964 Americana Refrigerator

I am looking to replace my 1964 Americana, please contact me if you have one for sale.

Any color is fine.

TLH

 

[kr]

GE Americana Breakfront refrigerator

Just a note. We have a cooler/brown GE Americana Breakfront refrigerator for sale, if anyone on here is interested in buying it. $200 It is in good condition, but we had it converted from Gas to electric a few years ago and the compressor currently, needs replaced. I have the name and number of a local handyman who can take care of that, though. The fridge is located in Southeast Kansas and you would need to come here to pick it up. Let me know if anyone is interested or wants more information.

 

[combo52]

WOW KR, you had one of the rare gas models, LOL

These were never made in gas fired models, it sounds like you may have had it recharged with refrigerant and you may have had it converted from R-12 to a newer refrigerant gas.

 

Warning to anyone that is going to buy or move one of these refs that it is closer to 400 pounds in weight that 150.

 

John L.

 

[kr]

Whoops ! John L., You are right !

John L., you are probably correct on both counts. I found the written description online with the weight information, but it is REALLY heavy. I am sure you are right about it being closer to 400 pounds. Sorry about that. Also, when I had the refrigerator converted, the way I remember my handyman explaining it to me was that he converted it from Gas to electric. I called him recently and he did mention that it used R12 gas. The new compressor he installed was not the same kind of compressor that originally came with the unit, but I must have misunderstood about the conversion from gas to electric. Thank you for pointing this out. I appreciate that. I do not want to misrepresent the facts. Unfortunately it sounds as though, that is exactly what I did, unknowingly. As I mentioned, I have the repairman's name and number, so anyone interested in the fridge, can call and talk to him themselves. He will do a much better job than I can, explaining what he did. He knows exactly what compressor he installed and says he can put a new one on there, if someone wants him to. It might cost around $200-$300, including parts and labor. Thanks again, and sorry for the misinformation I posted.

 

[speedwagon]

1964/1965 GE Americana Fridge - St. Jo, MO

In reference to Post# 961029 10/06/2017 by KR in Kansas, I have the same color Americana that you had. It needs a compressor. Are you able to provide the information for the repair man for replacement compressor that he used?
thank you.
Tim

 

[combo52]

New compressor for a late 60s Americana refrigerator

You can change these to R134 easily you will need a compressor in the 800 to 1000 BTU range for this refrigerator. Use a newer Compressor, you can steal one from a big side-by-side or something, but get one with a run capacitor on it. You can make this old refrigerator, a lot more energy efficient with a new compressor. You can also change the condenser fan motor and the freezer evaporator fan motor and further reduce the power consumption.

I would also install LED lightbulbs throughout the refrigerator, including the one on the countertop if you’re going to use that light much.

John

 

[speedwagon]

New compressor for a late 60s Americana refrigerator

Combo52, John, Thank you for the information. I will consider it. I will also need a repair service willing to come to the house to install the compressor. The refrigerator is way too heavy to transport to a shop.
Tim