Imperial fridge

[moparguy]

But is it Frigidaire (as listed by the seller) or Whirlpool? The star on the unusual handle looks Whirlpool... but is the handle correct original, I have not seen one like it? It's not mine, I saw it posted for sale on dallas craigslist.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/atq/d/dallas-1950s-imperial-refrigerator/7705676582.html

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/atq/d/dallas-1950s-imperial-refrigerator/7705676582.html

 

[frigidaireguy]

DEFINITELY NOT A FRIGIDAIRE

 

[jamiel]

That Imperial font sure looks like one of the Western Auto advertisements from the late 50s. Given the cold plate design, this was not a WP (they used the open coils like GE). Was there another "auto" store in Texas, perhaps? White Auto? OTASCO? that would have utilized the "Imperial" model branding? Conversely, was there a department store brand (Allied's Ambassador/May's Duracrest/AMC's AMC)?

 

[appnut]

Western Auto stores. That store, or similar, their appliance line was named Wizzard. Imperial could be a model designation.

 

[circlew]

I also tend to think it's a Western Auto model; if not, then another store brand. Likely manufactured by Franklin Div. of Studebaker Corp., which later became part of WCI.

 

[qsd-dan]

Those who guessed Wizard are correct.

This one hit home for me. A family member moved into an all original 1950's home around 1988 and had a Wizard refrigerator like this but a lower end unit. It had that exact door handle and I never saw another one until now. Another mystery appliance solved. It must have been reliable enough to still be going 40 years later. Too bad refrigerators today can't even begin to meet that longevity anymore.

https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2F05lek64svi161.jpg%3Fwidth%3D2788%26format%3Dpjpg%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D2edb3455224770de3bb523a746d38950571bedb7

 

[moparguy]

Excellent

Very cool, I knew you all would know what it was! Neat fridge, and I had never seen one like it!