I changed my mind

[pulltostart]

Well, after waiting over 1-1/2 years, my vintage refrigerator was next in line for restoration at Antiqueappliances. It was a 1956 GE bottom-mount, white with turquoise and copper interior and revolving shelves; only 14 cubic feet, but a monster of a cabinet (72 inches tall). Then, Tuesday night I found this 1958 GE top-mount on Ebay and everything changed. The seller was nice enough to add a "Buy-It-Now" to the ad, John Jowers at Antiqueappliances agreed to hold off on my 'fridge and allow me time to make the purchase and pull off delivery, and I got what I thought was a reasonable quote from a shipper, and 24 hours later the 1958 GE was mine. I paid for it with Paypal and less than 24 hours later the shipper had already picked it up. Let the good times begin! It is in Scottsdale, AZ where it was installed new in some condiminiums in Phoenix and stayed until just recently when that kitchen was remodeled and it was purchased by the person from whom I purchased it. JJ referred me to Vintage Transport, right here in Atlanta, and they have a hub in Phoenix - how convenient - and they will be taking it directly to Clayton, GA for restoration. I'm very excited about getting this in my kitchen!!! Oh, and just in case you were wondering, it will NOT be pink post-restoration.

Lawrence

 

[pulltostart]

Money Shot

Interior lacks the color of the '56 but still has the rotating shelves, and the only damage is to the cover of the right crisper cover.

Lawrence

 

[pulltostart]

Companion

It will be teamed up with this 1961 GE 40" range. One day (as he rolls his eyes) the kitchen will be renovated to compliment the appliances.

Lawrence

 

[danemodsandy]

You Will Love It

I grew up with the bottom-freezer model from that time frame (ours was a '59 model), and it used a lot of the same components as your top-freezer unit. Everything about that fridge was as sturdy as it could be. I have had a lot of fridges in a lot of places since then, but I've always missed the metal shelving, the porcelain-on-steel crispers and the overall feel of quality of that unit.

 

[rp2813]

I don't think you can go wrong with a GE of that vintage. I suspect some people here will think it's a tragedy that you're going to get rid of the pink, but it will look great with that awesome range of yours. You should get many, many more years of use and enjoyment out of both.

Ralph

 

[pulltostart]

I'll leave the pink to Bethann...

It does seem a shame to wipe out the pink, but that's how it goes. Restoration will include totally disassembling the unit and sandblasting the cabinet inside and out, and repainting (white). No trace of the pink will remain. I had an aunt who had one of these, a few years newer, in her kitchen (their home was built in late 1960 and equipped with 1961 GE appliances). I think the texture on the handles and the "Combination" script on the door trim brings back lots of memories of visiting there.

Lawrence

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice 'fridge!

 

[dirtybuck]

Is it a frost-free model?

 

[pulltostart]

Not frost-free

Only the refrigerator section is frostless. This was a couple of years before GE introduced their frostless models. Also no wheels, no ice maker...

L

 

[combo52]

Oh Lawrence, that looks wonderful!
Let me know how it turns out!
-Steve

 

[douglasdc6]

Love those retro pink Frig`s.

In 1960 My parents bought a pink General electric Refrigerator that looks like this one - They retired it shortly after & have kept it in climate control storage for me till I could have a place of my own - They gave it to me 18 years ago - Looks like it came off the sales floor - I like the pink color & have no plans to change it.

 

[a440]

Fantastic!
Both are in Beautiful Shape!!!!
Brent