Frigidaire Deluxe Cycla-Matic coming up for sale near me....

[micahmcdowell]

My wife and I have been slowly returning our early 1920s farmhouse to a more vintage decor, getting rid of ugly 1970s remodel stuff (eww). Having just finished the bathroom, the kitchen is next. We're not going totally period correct, but a classic styled fridge would be on our list.

Today, I found a Frigidaire Deluxe Cycla-Matic that will be at a local estate sale later this week. It looks great (see picture). Assuming it's as good shape as it looks, what would you offer for one of these? What's the collectible fridge world like, as I have no idea?

And to answer one question, yes, I would be using it daily, and I'm fairly accustomed to accommodating the pitfalls of vintage and unusual appliances (see my Speed Queen commercial thread if you have doubts). Slightly flaky reliability with no modern conveniences are fine by me.

 

[classiccaprice]

I always liked those. I found one in college and it had a great layout inside. If fell in love with it but couldn't make the logistics work.

Anyway, most vintage fridges, especially single doors, have a small freezer by modern standards. I have my 1957 Philco refrigerator in the kitchen , but the 2007 GE that came with the house out in the garage for extra storage. Personally, if I were to get it, I'd at least have a backup fridge or at least a freezer, vintage or not "just in case"

I'd probably pay $100-$150, but I'm not the collector that some of our members are. Good luck with it!

 

[micahmcdowell]

Yes, we already have a dedicated small deep freezer in a pantry room off of the kitchen. Our current modern fridge works well enough, but what with all the ice maker and water dispensing stuff, there's not much room for actual frozen foods left inside. We never ever use the ice maker anyway, so no loss there.

 

[moparguy]

I agree with both of you, it is a beautiful fridge. But... will you have the ability to test it to see if it works? Non working, the price should really be based on the gamble of repair costs (and frankly the price of the fridge, non working, should be very low). Of course you also want to make sure that it has all of its shelves and drawers, which hopefully it does based on the apparently good condition. Finally of note, it may be the deluxe model (Imperial or Cold Pantry), given the very nice trim on it, and if so it may also be a full porcelain model (given the nice look to the finish). If it's working, complete, and porcelain finish, I would be ready and willing to go a bit higher on the price if you need to do that to get it, depending on how much you want it. Or you might still get lucky, because there isn't a huge market for old fridges and if you're the only one there wanting it and willing to transport it home, you might also luck out and get a great deal for a lot less! Not too long ago, one sold at an estate sale here for $80!

Good Luck, it's a beautiful fridge!

 

[micahmcdowell]

Well, they have another picture of it with the door open and lit up with some water bottles in it, so I'm assuming it works. Also found out that price is $200.

I guess if it's mint, I'll consider it, but if it's rough or not cooling properly, I'l see how much I could barter. The folks that are running the sale do a lot of them locally, and they sell stuff quick, so there won't be much time to spare when the sale starts if the fridge is at all desirable.

 

[goatfarmer]

Looks to be complete. Non working, less than $40.00. Working, it would depend on the condition outside, and inside, gasket condition, etc.

 

If you like it, and it works, $200.00 isn't unreasonable, but always offer less.

 

[norgeway]

You will be..

Plesantly suprised...your fresh food, especially vegetables will keep much better in a vintage fridge, as their is no air blowing around to dry things out, just steady cold....moist cold that keeps food much better, you will like your electric bill also, because, contrary to modern belief, it will use much less power than a fridge with an electric heater that runs every day to defrost things...yes, you will have to defrost, but that is a small price to pay for a fridge that runs much less...is quieter and your ice cream will never have ice crystals on it from being thawed and re frozen every time the modern fridge defrosts!!!