Up for grabs, 1961 GE Combination, FREE!!!

[geoff]

For your consideration, I have my grandfather's 1961 GE Combination fridge, FREE. Poppy bought this fridge brand new in 1961. He moved to Florida in 1983 and gave this fridge to my parents. My parents have had this fridge since 1983. It still works FLAWLESSLY and quiet. They are trying to downsize since it is just the two of them and MUCH to Dad's chagrin, Mom wants this fridge gone. When I lived home I maintained it by defrosting, washing, and vacuuming the coils. This fridge is COLD. Located in Milford, Connecticut. E-mail me with any Interests. [email protected]. Thanks for your consideration.

 

[geoff]

#2

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[geoff]

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[geoff]

#4

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[geoff]

#5

#5

 

[geoff]

#6

#6

 

[geoff]

#7

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[geoff]

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[geoff]

#9

#9

 

[rp2813]

Nice fridge. Rare to have hinges on the left, too.

It's older than 1961. It can't be newer than 1956. GE started making them with squared-off cabinets in 1957.

I hope somebody here takes it. Where exactly is it located?

 

[washernoob]

That is a very very nice fridge! The styling doesn't seem too 60s. So I suspect its earlier. 56 seems pretty new for it too. Closer to 1950 Id say.

I love all the features of it. The butter door and all. Just a fantastic well cared for machine!

 

[norgeway]

I believe!

Its a 54 or 55.

 

[geoff]

Thanks for the responses

I just called my Dad, He is unsure if Poppy bought it new or used but is thrilled that it may be older. It is Located in Milford, CT at my parents house, about 3/10ths of a mile away from my house.

 

[cornutt]

I think it's older than '61 too. I recall my great-aunt had one with the spinning shelves but it looked a bit more modern than this one. I recall her telling me that they bought it a year before I was born, by which she probably meant 1958.

 

[rp2813]

Here's a picture of my 1957 GE Combination

 

[rp2813]

Here's one from around 1951 or 52. Before that, there wasn't that big emblem on the freezer door. Instead, across the width of the door was spelled out G E N E R A L - E L E C T R I C with individual letters and the GE logo between the two words.

 

[toploader55]

OMG Ralph

That's the same model we had when we got our Summer Home on the cape. Pocelain Barge. Had a Great sounding Compressor. Just Gorgeious !!!

 

[rp2813]

Colored interiors showed up in the mid 50's. Since the interior on yours is white, it now seems to be an earlier 50's model. Probably the last of the white interiors, so it's maybe in the '52 to '54 range.

 

[appliguy]

It is a 1954 GE Combo

I looked in my 1954 GE Dealer Catalog and it shows the Model LH-121L......PAT COFFEY

 

[rp2813]

Hey Eddie, you mean the one pictured directly above your post? I do like the sound of those early ones when running.

That was my original choice for a GE Combo but after RCD intercepted the '57, I realized that it was a better fit for the space where it would be going, and you can't beat the glam factor of the fresh food section.

Reply #6/Picture #7 confirms my suspicions around the defrost drain for the freezer having a tube that directs the defrost water into the rear trough of the fresh food section. My Combo is missing that bellows/tubing and I'm trying to figure out a replacement. I knew it wasn't right that GE would expect the user to remove contents of the top shelf in the fresh food section in order to place a pan in there to catch water.

So far, I figured out that a 1/2" copper elbow and some black drip irrigation tubing will make a good substitute, but I can't find the black tubing in lengths shorter than 100 feet!

Here's a shot of the interior of my '57. 120 watts worth of lighting in the fresh food section alone!

 

[rp2813]

A shot taken during the cleaning process that shows the the freezer drain but no tubing to direct water into the trough.

 

[rp2813]

Geoff, you may want to edit the heading for this thread and change it from 1961 to 1954. No telling if it will generate more interest, but it might attract surfers who are looking for something older and have passed it up based on the 1961 designation.

 

[112561]

I wish I could get it, it opens from the right side, just what I need. I still miss our 1962 Frigidaire.

 

[geoff]

Thank You, Duly noted

I just went by what my father told me. Dad and I fought my mother for years to keep this fridge and won for about 8 years, unfortunately, she finally won out. I would take it myself but I don't have room in my garage, that and I'm only one person. If it was 3 years ago it would have already been here at my house.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Love that '57...

Ralph, I never get tired of seeing pictures of the '57 after you worked some real magic on her. I generally take pride in finding good homes for my rescues/orphans and that GE sure did find the right place to go. I haven't come across another vintage fridge like that one since...

RCD

 

[rp2813]

OK Andy, here's a reprise of the "money shot" for you.

I'm hoping to find a short length of that irrigation tubing because it's ready for a defrosting, and maybe I'll install the NOS cold control at the same time.

 

[mattl]

rp2813, what size tubing do you need? I picked up some large diameter clear vinyl line at Home Depot that might do the job. Looks like you only need 12"-14" right? With a little heat added it should slip right over 1/2" copper fittings. Or, why not go all copper?

 

[rp2813]

Matt, I've checked all sizes, both clear and black. Nothing fits but the black stuff that I presume is 1/2" OD. The drip irrigation stuff is best because it's more stiff. I've checked the fit with a copper elbow, which fits snugly in the drain, and the black tubing fits snugly inside the elbow. Ideally, a 60 degree elbow would aim the tubing lower towards the trough, but a 90 will get the job done. The water would run down the wall to the floor drain of the fresh food section whether it hits the trough first or not. I could also get another elbow for the trough end to aim the water directly down into it. I would probably keep the apparatus elsewhere and install it only for defrosting if the finished product leaves something aesthetic to be desired.

For whatever reason, everywhere I've checked you can buy lengths of other tubing as short as you want, but this irrigation tubing is never on a reel, always in a pre-packaged 100' coil on the shelf. I don't think I would need more than 8" of it.

I think what I need to do is keep an eye out for landscaping projects as I'm buzzing around town and just stop and ask for a foot of the stuff.

 

[westingman123]

(argues with self)

So, it's a perfect fit for the kitchen? So, it's halfway across the country? Arrrrrgh. Do you KNOW how hard it is to find a vintage fridge that the door swings that way? Any guesses as to shipping costs? Someone talk me out of this...

 

[rp2813]

Someone talk me out of this

Yeah, around these parts that's not very likely.

When I shipped a 40" stove using "You Crate" the cost was $300+ if I remember correctly.

That fridge will clean up nicely. You may eventually be able to find the top to the one crisper, but if not, the revolving shelf can be lowered to just clear it and hide it fairly well.