'60s GE Combo Fridge Opinions, Information

[rp2813]

I found this fridge on CL, no picture and an inaccurate description (see link), but I had a hunch it might be worth an inquiry.  Sure enough, it's the vintage I'm looking for, with the Frost Guard system.

 

It looks like it needs TLC and I'm not sure if what appears to be rust could just be accumulated filth and removed with the Meguiar's Car Cleaner/Wax that has worked so well for me on other needy appliances.  I don't mind putting in a few days' worth of elbow grease if that's all it needs.

 

The top tray for the freezer is missing, but I don't really need it.  Otherwise, the fridge looks complete.

 

I've read that GE offered these in two sizes, and I would need it to be the shorter one that's no more than 30" wide.  I intend to ask the seller for dimensions in addition to the estimate he provided on capacity.

 

This one is overpriced, but I doubt it's going to move quickly considering the shape it's in.  My strategy is to let the seller lower the price and make me an offer to take it off his hands at a significant discount.

 

What do you think?  Might the exterior clean up or would I be looking at a repaint -- which would be a deal breaker for sure.

 

Or should I just keep waiting for a  better maintained one to come along?

 

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/app/4923692445.html

 

[pulltostart]

Ralph

Looks to me light the refrigerator door might be cleanable, the freezer door looks like the paint has been worn off, especially on the left side.  Could be dirt I guess, doesn't appear to be rust based on these photographs.

 

lawrence

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Look at the proximity of the stove to the fridge, you can barely see it in the left of some of the pictures. It could just be general kitchen grime and grease. Craigslist generally downgrades the quality of the pictures, so they could just be grainy and hard to tell. I'd say to take a look at it in person. Cool fridge!

 

[twintubdexter]

It doesn't seem too overpriced. It depends what it looks like in person. I'd make a big deal about dirt and try and to get a better price. Maybe wear your O'Connor Hospital white nurse's uniform along with the hat. I'll bet little kids with dirty hands made those door smudges...probably girls. You know how messy they are.

 

Make it a mini pleasure trip and take 17 to Santa Cruz and then over to Salinas along the coast. On your way back have dinner on the wharf. I really miss the Bay Area 

 

[rp2813]

Thanks guys.  I do think it's more grime than rust.  I may have to ask for a picture just of the freezer door.  It's strange that the issues with the freezer's finish are only on the left and right side.  I'm pretty sure what's around the fridge handle is just grime.

 

My schedule for this week and next precludes any chance for a drive to Salinas.  I'm counting on this guy receiving little or no interest, and the fridge still being available after 3/23 when I'll have time to give it a look -- if he's willing to come down in price.

 

Joe, I'd probably take U.S. 101.  I always get confused after cutting over toward Salinas off SR 1, and they're in the midst of upgrades at that junction to eliminate the dangerous left turn.  We just had a late lunch on the Santa Cruz wharf about a month ago.  We hit it on a nice day -- of which there have been many during this fourth straight dry winter.

 

[combo52]

1964 GE Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

The discoloration on the freezer door IS rust [ it will need repainting to look good ], these were pretty good refs in their day, but it is still a dual evaporator ref so temperature control between the ref and freezer can still be problematic and get even more so as they age. This era of GE ref did not have the early compressor failures common to GE refs built before 1963, BUT we still see most GE refs of this age with weak compressors [ unless it was already changed ], the only way to tell if the compressor is seriously worn is to attach a vacuum gauge to the low side port and see if the compressor can easily pull a 30" vacuum.

 

The next generation GE bottom freezer refs with a single evaporator and dual evaporator fans and thermostats along with hot gas defrost are the best ones GE ever made up to this time.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

I believe it's the shorter, smaller version of the two offered in 1964 Ralph. It's identical to mine, save for the door swing. I paid $75, so I do think it's a bit over priced, but then again it was a long drive to get it. Going on a year of flawless service,  I couldn't be happier. Looks like some rust on the freezer door, everything else seems to be grime. Hope you get it, then we can "show and compare".

 

P.S. Looks like there's an issue with the refrigerator and freezer lights, unless all 4 are burned out.

[this post was last edited: 3/12/2015-01:11]

 

[rp2813]

Thanks Louie and John.  I can't check the vacuum so would have to take my chances.

 

So John, based on your closing remarks, can I expect to find a GE with single evaporator, dual fans and controls, and hot gas defrost that still has the swing-out shelving system?

 

I got more pix of the freezer front and it's mostly rust, including on the side of the door near the gasket.  It's looking like a re-paint, and I'm not so sure I want to deal with that.   The price would have to come way, way down.

 

I have the additional pictures on my other computer that isn't wanting to access AW currently, but I'll try to get them posted here tomorrow.

 

[combo52]

1964 GE Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

Hi Ralph, I do not know if GE built  the smaller ref with swing out shelves and single evaporator, We do have a RH door 1965 ref like I am talking about that is in Excellent Restored and working condition for sale, It is shaded copper-tone which if I remember correctly is not what you want, ours has the better more space efficient Pull-Out-Shelves however.

 

[rp2813]

John, thanks for clarifying.  This would be my beer/soda/overflow fridge so I'm fine with sacrificing some usable cubic footage in exchange for some Carol Merrill bling with the shelving.

 

Here are a couple of close-ups of the freezer front.  The seller said that even if auto rubbing compound could cut through the rust, there would still be some residual pitting to deal with, so this is sounding like a re-paint.  I'm not so sure I want to commit to that.  It also looks like even on the fridge door, whatever the discoloration is, it's below the surface and rubbing compound wouldn't improve it any.  That means a total repaint of the entire front. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ovrphil]

My two cents

Hi Ralph - my opinion parallels yours - a little high in price? I think it's a lot too high. After looking for you for a long time, I've seen better refrigerators that would meet or nearly meet your expectations which were in better condition. But all that is a moot point when a seller THINKS he has a VINTAGE piece, eh? Anyways - check it out if you really want it, at least it's on YOUR coast.

If you check it out, you have the face to face advantage of negotiating with the condition, including a possible less than optimal 30" vacuum on compression? Either way - good luck Ralph!

Phil