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Brand new 50's Amana 'fridge
- Thread starter goatfarmer
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Interesting, Yes.
Not sure I'd spend funds equal the down payment of a house for a fridge; vintage "NOS" or not.
Not sure I'd spend funds equal the down payment of a house for a fridge; vintage "NOS" or not.
xpanam
Well-known member
Holly Cow!!! Great find Kenny! I love seeing stuff like this! What is that behind it? Looks like a Amana Food Freezer! I wonder what else is in there? 8,000 I bet he will come down sooner or later, to earth.
<span style="font-size: medium;">A very rare find indeed. It looks immaculate. $8,000? This sap has been sniffing Freon. </span>
Not only that, but for $8K you still have to defrost it.
norgeway
Well-known member
But Really.....
I know 8 grand is rediculous, but face it, a brand new 50 something fridge is rare, and if you buy a restored one it is close to that price, if I was a doctor or lawyer , or anyone else that makes a fortune I would not hesitate a second.
I know 8 grand is rediculous, but face it, a brand new 50 something fridge is rare, and if you buy a restored one it is close to that price, if I was a doctor or lawyer , or anyone else that makes a fortune I would not hesitate a second.
For That Kind Of Money
I'd expect a manual defrost fridge/freezer to come with someone or a service to do the work. *LOL*
I'd expect a manual defrost fridge/freezer to come with someone or a service to do the work. *LOL*
I'd be afraid to use it, 57 year old wiring, relays, etc.
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
If you read the question/answer section at the bottom of the listing, it says he got a 'model 15 Amana freezer" at the same time which is in equally good condition and works as well. It's like opening a appliance time capsule. If you had the ultimate retro kitchen and had to get the fridge to complete it, here you go. As it has been said earlier, if you found a viable unit, bought it and shipped it, then had it professionally restored, you'd most likely be spending something close to this and it would still be 'used' and maybe even missing parts that were NLA before I was born.
I'm not usually one for people who list machines and ask a kings ransom for it, but in this case...
BTW, hey John, what was it like being factory service on this model when it came out? LOL!
RCD
I'm not usually one for people who list machines and ask a kings ransom for it, but in this case...
BTW, hey John, what was it like being factory service on this model when it came out? LOL!
RCD
Based On the Use-It-Or-Lose-It Axiom . . .
My GE Combination is 56 years old and has presumably been running virtually uninterrupted the whole time. It landed on the pile at Andy's shop, survived the trip to the Bay Area over stretches of deteriorated California interstates, and is still purring away and keeping things cold. I'm not afraid of it at all.
Think about all of the monitor tops out there that are still functioning, some of them almost 85 years after they came off the GE production line, and the first generation Combinations that are still working as well 65 years later as they were when they were new.
That having been said, I think we can all agree that Amanas from the 50's aren't very common. There's probably a good reason for that. Even with perfect wiring and relays, chances are this $8K fridge wouldn't offer much in the way of longevity, and even though it should technically come with a full warranty, what would they do if it failed? Replace it with eight new ones?
My GE Combination is 56 years old and has presumably been running virtually uninterrupted the whole time. It landed on the pile at Andy's shop, survived the trip to the Bay Area over stretches of deteriorated California interstates, and is still purring away and keeping things cold. I'm not afraid of it at all.
Think about all of the monitor tops out there that are still functioning, some of them almost 85 years after they came off the GE production line, and the first generation Combinations that are still working as well 65 years later as they were when they were new.
That having been said, I think we can all agree that Amanas from the 50's aren't very common. There's probably a good reason for that. Even with perfect wiring and relays, chances are this $8K fridge wouldn't offer much in the way of longevity, and even though it should technically come with a full warranty, what would they do if it failed? Replace it with eight new ones?
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
Look familiar?
Ralph, I still have her 'pre adoption' pictures here at the RedCarpetDrew Appliance Adoption Center. My motto is "Rescued from The Pile to make you smile"... LOL!
I just LOVE this picture and how the lights came out. I think this pic was what grabbed Ralph by things we won't mention and got him to brave I-80 to Reno. Another happy placement of a orphan into a loving home...
RCD
Ralph, I still have her 'pre adoption' pictures here at the RedCarpetDrew Appliance Adoption Center. My motto is "Rescued from The Pile to make you smile"... LOL!
I just LOVE this picture and how the lights came out. I think this pic was what grabbed Ralph by things we won't mention and got him to brave I-80 to Reno. Another happy placement of a orphan into a loving home...
RCD
Ralph,
Obviously spending this much on a vintage appliance, regardless of condition, is for a limited market. Then again, I have one of the earliest larger monitor tops that recently has failed. It's going to be shipped across the country to be rebuilt, with a big price tag. Everything that happens doesn't make sense. People do things just because they want to and can afford to do so.
Obviously spending this much on a vintage appliance, regardless of condition, is for a limited market. Then again, I have one of the earliest larger monitor tops that recently has failed. It's going to be shipped across the country to be rebuilt, with a big price tag. Everything that happens doesn't make sense. People do things just because they want to and can afford to do so.
Warranty
That does raise an interesting issue. If its "brand new" and sold by an Amana dealer, what legal basis would there be for a factory warranty not to apply? Granted, they won't have parts, or likely anybody who knows how to service it, but it would make for a fun small claims lawsuit.
As for the price, judging by the number of people who are having massive kitchen renovations done on a whim (since their kitchens are perfectly serviceable) it would seem there a lot of folks who don't think $8000 is a lot of money...
That does raise an interesting issue. If its "brand new" and sold by an Amana dealer, what legal basis would there be for a factory warranty not to apply? Granted, they won't have parts, or likely anybody who knows how to service it, but it would make for a fun small claims lawsuit.
As for the price, judging by the number of people who are having massive kitchen renovations done on a whim (since their kitchens are perfectly serviceable) it would seem there a lot of folks who don't think $8000 is a lot of money...
norgeway
Well-known member
Afraid of the wiring???
Lots of fridges are still in everyday use that are 70 or more years old, I would have more confidence in it than anything new!!My Range that I use everyday is 58 years old.
Lots of fridges are still in everyday use that are 70 or more years old, I would have more confidence in it than anything new!!My Range that I use everyday is 58 years old.
firedome
Well-known member
$8000 down payment for a house...
where? Douglas Wyoming? No where I know.
where? Douglas Wyoming? No where I know.
New 1955 Amana Ref
Very cool, and the price is not out of the question given a new Sub-Zero costs about that much anyway. I would not be afraid to use this refrigerator. It is unlikely that much deterioration occurred to the wiring given the good condition of the refrigerator in general, granted any refrigerator this old should either have a grounded cord installed or at least a ground wire added and it should be operated on a 15 amp not 20 amp and not on a ground fault circuit.
Andy, while I have worked on Amana refs and freezers from this time period, none were still in warranty, How are your try outs doing for the old lonely look alike contest going?
Andy did you ever see this same model ref with the Maytag name on it? as I am sure you know MT sold both Amana built refs and freezers with the MT name on it during this time period.
Ralph, glad your 1956 GE combination ref is running well, GE did build a really good refrigerator, I fact I think that overall GE built better refs than GM Frigidaire during the time that GM owned the Frigidaire name. But even GEs are not without problems and I would bet that your 1956 GE has had a new compressor during its life and we all know that it has had other problems as well.
Very cool, and the price is not out of the question given a new Sub-Zero costs about that much anyway. I would not be afraid to use this refrigerator. It is unlikely that much deterioration occurred to the wiring given the good condition of the refrigerator in general, granted any refrigerator this old should either have a grounded cord installed or at least a ground wire added and it should be operated on a 15 amp not 20 amp and not on a ground fault circuit.
Andy, while I have worked on Amana refs and freezers from this time period, none were still in warranty, How are your try outs doing for the old lonely look alike contest going?
Andy did you ever see this same model ref with the Maytag name on it? as I am sure you know MT sold both Amana built refs and freezers with the MT name on it during this time period.
Ralph, glad your 1956 GE combination ref is running well, GE did build a really good refrigerator, I fact I think that overall GE built better refs than GM Frigidaire during the time that GM owned the Frigidaire name. But even GEs are not without problems and I would bet that your 1956 GE has had a new compressor during its life and we all know that it has had other problems as well.
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
Ol Lonely tryouts... LOL!
Touché! It's nice to be able to joke around and just laugh! John, you're all right.
I've never seen the Maytag branded version of this and, to be honest, didn't know they existed. I'd absolutely LOVE to be able to see/experiment with one! I don't suppose anyone in the club has or knows of the existence of one?
RCD
Touché! It's nice to be able to joke around and just laugh! John, you're all right.
I've never seen the Maytag branded version of this and, to be honest, didn't know they existed. I'd absolutely LOVE to be able to see/experiment with one! I don't suppose anyone in the club has or knows of the existence of one?
RCD
whirlaway
New member
Frigidaire
My Frigidaire is 83 years old,Ive had it 30years and never spent a nickel on it except for paint.That I did and it still works great,noisy at start up as it always has been.I do check sometimes to see if the wiring is OK and its fine.I treat it like all of my appliances I dont slam doors or be rough with them.Im gentle with the washer and dryer in the same way.Ive watched people yank timers and spin them fast and then they wonder why things break!!!!!
My Frigidaire is 83 years old,Ive had it 30years and never spent a nickel on it except for paint.That I did and it still works great,noisy at start up as it always has been.I do check sometimes to see if the wiring is OK and its fine.I treat it like all of my appliances I dont slam doors or be rough with them.Im gentle with the washer and dryer in the same way.Ive watched people yank timers and spin them fast and then they wonder why things break!!!!!
RCD:
Actually, it was Nate who gave me the nudge on the '57 Combo. I was going to pass on it since it wasn't 100% frost free.
The more I thought about it, the more I liked the revolving shelves, and it has way more bling than the '70 Whirlpool it replaced.
Nate was on board for a road trip, so off we went!
John, I did replace the temperature control on the Combination, and it seems to be the weakest link on GE's from this period if one considers lasting 50+ years a weak performance. I had the rear access panel off and didn't see any obvious evidence of compressor replacement, but I wouldn't rule it out since you have stated many times that GE had problems with them, I believe while the majority were still under warranty.
Travis, as has already been stated, if someone has money to burn and prefers to buck the trend by opting for a retro look, then yes, this Amana could be the fridge for them. They'd likely be able to afford domestic help that would keep a significant layer of frost from ever accumulating in the freezer.
Actually, it was Nate who gave me the nudge on the '57 Combo. I was going to pass on it since it wasn't 100% frost free.
The more I thought about it, the more I liked the revolving shelves, and it has way more bling than the '70 Whirlpool it replaced.
Nate was on board for a road trip, so off we went!
John, I did replace the temperature control on the Combination, and it seems to be the weakest link on GE's from this period if one considers lasting 50+ years a weak performance. I had the rear access panel off and didn't see any obvious evidence of compressor replacement, but I wouldn't rule it out since you have stated many times that GE had problems with them, I believe while the majority were still under warranty.
Travis, as has already been stated, if someone has money to burn and prefers to buck the trend by opting for a retro look, then yes, this Amana could be the fridge for them. They'd likely be able to afford domestic help that would keep a significant layer of frost from ever accumulating in the freezer.
