kelvinator circa 1950 from france

[basch]

hi
my name is laurent and I come from france
I have been collecting for many years about 35 years all that comes from the United States I am a fan of all that your country could manufacture product of exceptional design quality
you have acquired the art and the way of differencier and this always with class and style, the customisation has the pure state and in all its slender
tockeim gas pump de 1953, kelvinator circa de 1950 kelvinator magic cycle de 1960 , philco de 1953 , nortwester brandt de 1950 victor texaco 1950 ,electric neon clock 1930, chigago brandt electric gas pump light 1930, appleton outdoor 1950 appleton 1920, harley davidson panhead 1953, harley davidson ironhead 1981 1000,chevy van 1984, buick electra 225 1961, oldsmobile vista cruiser 1970 5.7 and 1970 7.5 , ford 1932 pick up , ford 1946 leasdled vintage light sign , aermotor open gear , RA 1907 M1911 A1 ITHACA US ARMY 1943
I acquired a kelvinator circa about 10 years ago
I found it in belgium, this one had been brought from the United States to a military base
I’m restoring the kelvinator however my grip is broken in the back
I have no documentation and I cannot find a detached piece in france
this model is not very common in france or even in Europe I would like to find a person who could possibly have a grip or even just a picture of the back of the grip so that I can have it done again (3 d can be) if however the forum cannot answer my questions, would you know a person or a forum dedicated to its refrigerators
I will write in advance those who will be kind enough to answer me

 

[turbokinetic]

Hi there Laurent!  I work on fridges quite often. Could you explain the meaning of "grip" to me? Are you talking about the attachment points for the condenser on the back of the cabinet? 

A picture of the necessary part would help quite a lot!

 

Sincerely,

David

 

 

[retro-man]

Dave, I believe that he is referring to the handle that opens the door.

Jon

 

[turbokinetic]

Hi Jon. I was thinking that was possibly the case. I sent him an e-mail yesterday because I might have that actually.

 

 

[basch]

kelvinator circa from france

hi david , jon and dave
thank you all
yes this is about the grip that is broken at its extremity
I don’t have any photo or doc to be able to do the same handle
could you also tell me if this kind of refrigerator was originally painted a single color or 2 colors
I wish in the ideal remained the closest to the original model, but I still planned to do it in 2 colors
blue and pastel white
thanks in advance and see you soon
have a good day

 

[turbokinetic]

Paint schemes....

Hi Laurent.  As far as I am aware, all refrigerators from this era (1940's) were single-color painted. In the late 1920's there were two-tone porcelain cabinets, but those were completely different.  The rounded-corner fridges like  yours were one color. They were almost always white painted.  I do like two-tone color schemes. I think your idea of pastel blue and white would look stunning. 

 

Attached are some pictures of a Kelvinator painted Light Pine;  and of a Philco painted in Corn Flower Blue.  Both of these colors are Sherwin-Williams single stage automotive paint done by a professional auto body shop. The owners of the refrigerators chose the colors and I really think they made great choices! 

 

Sincerely,

David

 

 

 

[rp2813]

Regardless of whether it's only the plastic/lucite grip that's missing or if there is a broken metal component as well, you would need to find a complete handle assembly for a replacement. 

 

[basch]

kelvinator circa from france

hi David , rp2812
thank you for your answers
very nice restoration
I’ve already seen this pattern,
this one is much more common than the circa in france at least
for 10 years I have seen only one circa for sale
a circa is for sale in the United States on ebay has 999 dollars
my grip measures
I thought I would paint the 2 sides pastel blue and the center white with 2 edgings at the junction of the 2 colors
thank you for the address of the forum
if however you know someone who has this handle a plan, a picture please send me these coordinates
what do you replace the foam inside the door that serves as insulation
thanks in advance and see you soon
laurent

 

[turbokinetic]

Hi Laurent.  I looked at my parts stash, and sent pictures of my handle to your e-mail.  Unfortunately, it is a different model.

 

You should post on these two places for more fridge-specific help:

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1223144641055129 

 

https://monitortop.freeforums.net/ 

 

Both of them have active members who work on; and sometimes dismantle these. Many of us from the States have extra respect for overseas enthusiasts. We understand the difficulty you face with parts and shipping costs etc. 

I hope you share pictures of your paint job when it is complete! I bet that will look stunning! 

 

Sincerely,

David