My New Vintage Firestone Freezer

[58limited]

This working freezer was listed on craigslist in Seattle for $40.00. A friend from the Chambers Rangers forum agreed to get it and hold it for me while I arrange for shipping. Another forum member who also lives in Texas has a fridge at his house too, so we are going to arrange shipping together. Plus, a third member has a friend who is going up thatawy so he might fetch both of them for a little extra gas money, we'll have to wait and see what his plans are.

 

I decided to find a vintage freezer when my new (4 1/2 year old) freezer broke down and I lost a bunch of food. I get pretty ticked off when new stuff breaks yet all of my 60+ year old stuff works fine.

 

First pic - "The Firestone Tire & Rubber Co." on the data plate:

 

[58limited]

Not sure of the year:

 

[58limited]

Eight inner doors, all in great shape.

 

[58limited]

Inner doors opened. The shelves each have cooling coils under them.

 

[whirlcool]

Looks to me like late 40's-very early 50's vintage. In nice shape though.

 

[goatfarmer]

I had a similar looking door on a refrigerator I owned. There was a tag that dated it 1947.

 

There was one of those on EBay forever, but they wanted I think $599.00 or something.

 

[norgeway]

What a great looking

Well designed box, That one wont frost up like most uprights because you only open a small area at a time.

 

[58limited]

That will be a big plus here in the humid swamp, Hans.

 

[hydralique]

Now that . . .

is what my grandmother in East Texas would have called a "deep freeze"!

 

[circlew]

Nice freezer

Any clue as to who made this for Firestone?

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

<span style="font-size: medium;">Reminds me a bit of Manitowoc or Norge. </span>

 

[ovrphil]

That's truly one of the most interesting freezers I've seen - all the doors. It almost looks like something used in a lab. I'd better stop right there, before I end up in the freezer myself. Nice unit - do like!

 

[norgeway]

Westinghouse..

Did this also, great idea I think.

 

[58limited]

I've seen several freezers from this time period and earlier with the inner doors. It was indeed a good idea.

 

[moparguy]

Westinghouse...

Their 'freezer file'!

 

[58limited]

An update: I received the freezer last August and it is one of the heaviest appliances I have, possibly heavier than the Foodarama. It is 5' 7.5" feet high, three feet wide, and the shelves where the food sits are two feet in depth (when you add the thicknessof the door and rubber door seal the outside measurement is about 6" deeper). It is about 50% bigger than my 6 year old GE upright freezer.

 

I was by myself when unloading this and I accidentally smashed the power cord, it shorted and blew a breaker when I plugged it in. I've been pretty busy lately and didn't get around to replacing the cord until last night. The freezer works great and is siting right at Zero degrees.

 

I have one question: To the right of the thermostat dial is a toggle switch. There is a lever that can be used to flip the toggle switch without removing the kick panel. You can see this in some of the pictures above. In the very first picture showing the data plate you can see the mounting nut for the toggle switch at the far right. Does anyone know what this switch does? I've flipped it and the freezer seems to run just the same either way I flip it.

 

 

[travis]

Is the switch still connected?  Is there a light in the cabinet?

 

[58limited]

The switch is connected, no light.

 

[electronicontrl]

Never saw one,

That is too fun.