Brown Smudge-Proof Ward's Fridge $50 SF Bay Area CL

[rp2813]

This doesn't even qualify as coppertone, and based on the non-smudge finish, seems to me like it could be a re-paint -- but then again, it was offered by a retailer that wasn't exactly with-it so maybe it's factory paint.

 

Who would have been the manufacturer?  The up-front controls look familiar but I can't recall which brand had them up there.  Is it an energy hog?  It's tempting for the price, but I'd have to reverse the door swing and that usually creates problems with the gaskets sealing properly, but I'm not sure the swing can even be changed. 

 

There's an additional interior shot contained in the ad.

 

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/app/d/redwood-city-refrigerator/7242449617.html

 

[goatfarmer]

That one is an Admiral built. Admiral, Maytag, Crosley, Magic Chef  Signature Norge.

 

[mad]

That's like the Montgomery Ward fridge I grew up with in a different color! It's still running today.

 

[combo52]

Coffee Colored Admiral Built Wards Ref

This could be from the late 70s into the early 80s, 

 

These were pretty reliable but noisy, crude, and cheaply built.

 

They are usually killed by the bad horizontal evaporator design that was covered with a styrofoam cover panel that disintegrated and then they would not defrost properly and would start overheating during defrost and melting holes in the freezer floor etc.

 

There are at least 4 other major design problems with these refs but it is not worth the time, If someone wants to know get in touch.

 

These are an interesting piece of refrigeration history and one of many reasons that Maytag is no longer in business, But these are not going to stand the test of time.

 

John L.

 

[jamiel]

Yep, Galesburg production, I believe. One of the old original Admiral plants.

 

[circlew]

The textured "fingerprint resistant" finish was available by the early 70's. Our '74 Whirlpool upright freezer had it.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Yeah, the idiot in charge of Maytag thought he was getting a real deal on those old plants he bought when they were at the end of their useful lives and were being sold instead of being brought up to date. "OOH WOW! I'm gonna have a whole line of appliances and it is going to destroy my company." Dumb f**k. Such hallmarks as a painted panel above the oven opening, where most manufacturers used porcelain or brushed metal, really speak of quality.