Finally Found One - Kelvinator Foodarama

[58limited]

Hi Ken,

 

I haven't done much but I'm closing a deal on one missing shelf, the cheese and butter trays, and a few spare parts right now - just waiting to hear back from the seller. I had to postpone restoration and plug the Foodarama in for use: my deep freeze broke and I had to move everything to the freezer of the Foodarama.

 

The deep freeze is now fixed so hopefully I can get startedk on the restoration.

 

[ken]

Looking forward to pics when done. Really like those Foodaramas.

BTW...where was it located when listed on ebay?

 

[58limited]

It was in Missouri. Funny that you resurrected this thread yesterday, I was just about to do the same to post about the shelves and trays I found. I'm still missing the top shelf in the fridge compartment that the Handi-Tray slides under (the slides for the Handi-Tray are attached to the underside of the shelf) and the "Pastry" shelf for the freezer side.

 

For spares I am also getting one crisper drawer, both plastic shelf halves that go above the crispers, and two door shelves - one "Bottles" and one "Snacks." These are all from a regular '56 Kelvinator fridge but the measurements are the same as the fridge side of the Foodarama. Too bad the parts fridge doesn't have a breakfast bar for spare parts

 

[ken]

David:

Hope you dont mind if I post some Foodarama images.

 

[ken]

Foodarama

Was wondering about color offerings and found this ad. Unfortunately I couldnt get a larger image. [this post was last edited: 1/9/2014-15:18]

 

[ken]

Foodarama

Never knew the Foodarama continued in the "square" era

 

[58limited]

<a name="start_43839.726428">David:

Hope you dont mind if I post some Foodarama images. </a>

 

Not at all, thanks for posting them.

 

[hydralique]

Later Foodarama . . .

My family had one of the later Foodaramas in the mid to late '60s. I don't recall exactly what happened to it, but it was replaced in the early '70s by a Monkey Wards Signature three door side by side built by Admiral. That box was a nice looking POS that required a new compressor under warranty but then lasted for decades much to my mother's disgust; too bad the Foodarama wasn't repaired instead of buying the Signature.

 

[112561]

Here we go

The big picture.

 

[ken]

Alan:

Thanks for posting the larger format of the Kelvinator ad. I figured someone here would do it so we could get a better look. Now we can see its from 1955.

Very colorful floor in that kitchen.

 

[112561]

You're welcome Ken

I forget why I saved that particular ad, I guess it's the entire look. The floor is an ambitious looking one for sure! I love the metal banded turquoise counter tops too.

 

[ovrphil]

Alan, thanks for posting that ad - I never realised (and now appreciate more) the color choices.

Look at the choices! Lagoon Blue ....Spring Green...Fern Green ...Dawn Gray(gray or silver...is being shown again)....Sand Beige....Buttercup Yellow...Bermuda Pink...and White. And today? Color? HAHHH!

58limited(David) - I love the food-o-rama's. That "o-rama" naming convention is deeply 1950's. I like the squared off versions(60's) as well.

So, add me to the wait and watch...it's interesting how you're able to find parts for it, even if not original...stuff shows up, when you aren't expecting it, too.

Wishing you alot of success on your restoration ...and beer brewing!

Phil

 

[58limited]

Thanks Phil

Just brewed a Belgian Witbier tonight, getting the spring beers going. I started a Belgian Saison last week and will probably make an American wheat and a Bohemian pilsner soon.

 

I'm closing the deal on the spare parts but the seller misunderstood me: he doesn't have the cheese and butter trays. He thought I meant the entire compartments. I'm buying them for spares though.

 

[rickr]

Here is a Foodarama on ebay right now. Guess the guy purchased it a few years ago, and never got around to restoring it. He still has the box it was was shipped to him in. It looks in nice shape, but the script is painted over on the door, so it was repainted at one point. Who knows how good the paint job is? If they painted over the script, maybe not such a great job....

Loading…

www.ebay.com

 

[ovrphil]

chaaa-ching!

if someone painted over it(maybe not current owner?), it should diminish the value..but apparently not enough anyways to bring (!!!) $2, 495 into reality. Is that what these are worth in this condition? Few of them left...maybe expensive, but $2.5K? You could outfit a couple kitchens with some nice vintage appliances, for that much loot.

 

[shelpo]

Request

Hi to all
First excuse my poor english, i'm french and will try to do my best to be understand.
I'm really crazy about the foodorama that i discovered for short time.
I am really impressed about the work that have been done to put it back in his original way.
Do anybody know how many of those fridge are still"alive" in world?
And do anyone know the way i have to use to get one? I've seen price between 300 and 4000$ and i don't know which one will be the right one.
I surely know that i have to count on perhaps 1000 or more to ship it to europa but i really wanna find a way to buy one.
Thanks a lot for each help i can get

 

[58limited]

There are quite a few of these in existance but I doubt anyone knows how many. This is one of the most sought after 1950s era fridges so prices can be rather high. As far as the best price range for you, that is entirely dependant upon you circumstances and ability to do some of the restoration. Less expensive ones usually require more restoration work but be careful, some people list ones in poor condition for high prices. Missing parts will be very hard to find, especially when one is located overseas. Other costs need to be considered such as converting to 220 volts, painting, and rechroming - I have no idea what these services would cost in France.

Ultimately, it might be more economical in your case to buy one already restored, then all you have to do is plug it in and use it. Ebay is a good place to look for one, as are the vinatge appliance restoration shops. The restoration shops do not sell unrestored refrigerators, they include full restoration in their pricing so even if the photo of the refrigerator on their site shows a rough looking fridge, they will restore it when a customer buys it.

 

[behzad]

The K.Foodarama is the grandpa of all side by sides in the world!

 

[pndwind]

Updates

Any updates?

 

[58limited]

Unfortunately, no. Been a busy year and most of my disposable income has gone to my plumber for various problems over that past 10 months.