GE Wall Refrigerator - pink - thoughts?

[surfit]

Hey all! I

have the opportunity to pick this up for $200. The owner is scrapping it if I dont take it.

Its a vintage GE fridge that hangs on a wall. Pretty clever. 1957? Does anyone have any information on these? It doesn't currently work and the owner isn't sure why. Small dent on the front, and missing glass sliding doors, but otherwise all there. No rust.

Any recommendations of a restorer in the Southern California area?

Any help, leads, knowledge or advice is greatly appreciated.

Also there were matching pink Hotpoint Silhouette washer/dryer. Likely being scrapped too :/

 

[repairguy]

I’d be interested in the washer and dryer if they’re willing to let me have my shipper pick them up.

 

[surfit]

Im not sure if they work, I wasn't interested in them so I didn't ask. I did notice they're both dirty with some pitting in the chrome. Heres 2 more pics.

I doubt they're free but I'm sure they're inexpensive.
And Im sure they'd work with someone picking them up.

 

[repairguy]

I am interested in them if you could put me in touch with the people in charge I’d appreciate it. My email is in my profile. Thanks

 

[surfit]

Hi. Emailed you the contact info.

 

[kalanikaau1]

Interesting...

These appear to be the precursors to what we know now as "counter depth" refrigeration appliances.
I've always wondered how the mechanicals were serviced in these, I'm assuming they lurk in the area above them, I'm guessing the grille to the right is the condenser hot air discharge.
Clever and convenient marketing on GE's part, especially since items within are at eye level however they appear to be lacking in interior volume.
Can't have your cake and eat too, I suppose...
Mahalo for posting!

 

[pulltostart]

Melvin,

Those definitely have your name on them.  Good luck with getting these - and we'll look forward to more photos once they're in Texas!

 

lawrence

 

[combo52]

Pink hot point washer and dryer

These would make a great addition to your collection Melvin I think these are somewhat newer than 1957 however, maybe even early 60s or so.

I have a pink pair of hot points that are 1957 in great shape. It’s the water condensing dryer.

The wall refrigerator is an interesting project GE made these for five years from 1955 through 1960. It looks like the door gasket is missing at least one of the doors. There’s all kinds of reasons why it may not work.

There are several threads if you look in the history on this site, that’ll go over a lot of information on these GE wall refrigerators, it was a very unique product that worked well,you are right Jeff one of the downfalls was it didn’t give you very much interior space, but it was very convenient, also predates being frost free, and they never redesigned it to make a frost free one they just discontinued it.

John

 

[peteski50]

Hotpoint!

Those Hotpoints are beautiful I would say they are probably a 62 or 63 model
I hope they go to a good home!

 

[repairguy]

I’ve reached out so we’ll see what happens.

 

[ea56]

I recall seeing these GE Wall refrigerators for the first time in model homes in the mid 50’s at the age of 5 and thought they were really special.

I wanted my parents to buy a home with these state of the art fridges as well as all the rest of the tricked out kitchens that were also displayed in these model homes. The wall ovens, wall fridges, electric cooktops and built in DW’s just screamed “you have made it”, kinda’ like “The Jefferson’s” movin’ on up to a deluxe apartment in the sky!.

Eddie

 

[goatfarmer]

Good luck, Melvin, hope the appliance gods are shining upon you!

 

[rp2813]

GE's wall mounted type of refrigerator has its merits, particularly if floor space is at a premium in your kitchen, but as others have stated, they don't hold much.  Since you wouldn't be making the repairs yourself, you are facing two big hurdles:  1) Finding a repair person who would even consider taking it on, and 2) Finding a repair person who knows how to fix it as opposed to adding new reasons why it doesn't work.  For these reasons, you can quickly find yourself adding an extra zero to the price the seller is asking if your pursue repair, and with no guarantee of success.

 

Here is a link to a thorough diagnosis and meticulous repairs made to a wall mount GE Combination model.  David has rarely come across a refrigerator that he couldn't repair, some of which approached almost 100 years old.  This should give you some insight into the number of factors that can contribute to a non-running condition with a GE wall mount model:

GE Combination Wall-Mount Fridge repairs...

So, our fellow member Sarah Purdue has bought her Mid Century Modern wall mounted GE Combination fridge here to get some much-needed repairs done. These things are very interesting, and very awkward to handle. I built a repair stand to support and provide mobility to the machine during...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[surfit]

Thank you for the advice guys!
And thank you RP2813 for posting the link.
I am thoroughly overwhelmed and feeling slightly anxious now...

The unit Im looking at is in generally great condition, but I had no idea these were as complicated as this. I'm in Los Angeles and David is in Alabama. I'm ok investing some money into this, but I do wish I could find a great repairman out here in California.

Does anyone know of someone? My home is midecentury (built in 1953) and interestingly it was formerly the residence of Grace Kelly, so I'm really interested in bringing the kitchen back to it's vintage-original state.

I dont think the unit would need repainting- just a good polish... but tbh getting this running seems as complicated as rebuilding an engine.

It all really depends on whether or not I can find a repairman out here somewhere.

 

[repairguy]

Shawn I’ve sent messages with no response. If you’re still in contact let them know I’m trying to reach them. Thanks

 

[delco1946]

I have the floor model version of this fridge in yellow. Your know it’s a 57 because it’s a pink interior. You should definely take this. Worst case ppl on facebook would love parts, but these tend to sell for a lot of money when working.

These are veryyyy heavy. You will need 2 , suggest 3 strong bodies. Is it still electrified? Often the relay goes bad in these - just had to replace mine ($10 dollar fix and some rewiring). Symptoms of this would you hear the compressor kick on, and then shut off about 3 seconds later. It will do this over and over. If it kicks on and just doesn’t cool right after 24 hours then that will be more challenging, as that might be a charge issue, but you have ppl in cali with this knowledge.

Good chance it works fine and the person just doesn’t know how to use it ( I hear sorts of stories on Facebook!). Perhaps the wiring was cut, circuit turned off etc. did he turn the dial so it actually is on? Etc. I would not trust anyone planning to scrap these - tells me they couldn’t care less and probably spent no time trying to diagnose. It should have light bulbs too - bring a spare working bulb as a test to even see if it’s getting juice!

Also, join the Facebook vintage refrigerator group for support.

Also, also, cooler gaskets is where I just ordered a replacement gasket, which would work for this fridge too.

i want that washer and dryer! lol gorgeous…..

 

[surfit]

Hey Delco, I just figured out how to upload a vid I took of the fridge. Light turns on.

Melvin- I'm calling the tomorrow to schedule something and I'll make sure to ask if they received your mssgs and to pls reply to you. I'm happy to help coordinate on my end if you need. Id hate to see this set scrapped. I'll email you after I chat with them tomr (Thurs).

Vid link attached.

 

[delco1946]

Can’t access video - access denied.

 

[surfit]

Changed the Googledrive access settings. Should work now.