Vintage fridge purchase advice?

[sarahperdue]

Thanks to your generous advice, I've decided a new old fridge is the right thing for me . I'm in Alabama and would like help with selecting a fridge and figuring out what appropriate pricing is. So far, almost all of the listings seem outrageous except, possibly this GE in Gadsden. I like that it has a separate freezer compartment. I have asked the seller to send more pictures. They are asking $200.

Do y'all have any idea how to find out what these fridges are actually selling for in our area?

Are there particular parts of the fridge that I should ask the seller to send photos of? It is a couple of hours away--close enough to go for a look, but far enough away that I'd like to know more before I do.

Thanks,
Sarah

http://gadsden.craigslist.org/app/5397314248.html

 

[ken]

Sarah,

You should make sure the latches still work properly and aren't worn out. I brought home a 1955 GE a few years back that cools great but the latch on the lower door was worn out. The moving parts just wear out over years of use. Fixing it would be very involved if even possible. That's one nice thing about refrigerators a few years newer after manufacturers went to magnetic latches. The handle was simply a hand hold. No more mechanical latch with moving parts.

I would inspect the bottom of the door(s) for rust. Any condensation that could have formed inside the doors over the years would eventually work it's way to the bottom of the door and rust it from the inside out. The same thing can happen under the lower compartment. I bought a 1955 two door Philco a few years ago that runs great but is rusted through under the lower compartment from what I can only figure was condensation. Guys who restore vintage refrigerators today will often replace the fiberglas insulation with rigid foam.

To be its most efficient you'll probably want to replace the door seals if they aren't still soft and compress easily anymore. Other than the operating system (for obvious reasons) they are the most important part to the correct operation of a fridge.

Ralph (rp2813) can tell you how surprised he was with the reduction of frost build up after replacing the seals on his GE.

Too bad you're so far away. Just yesterday I found a CL post for a GE like you show above for free in CT.

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/app/5417794139.html
[this post was last edited: 1/26/2016-12:14]

 

[pulltostart]

For once the CL ad is correct

Both of these are 1953 models.

 

lawrence

 

[rp2813]

Thanks Ken, and yes, the condition of the door gasket, particularly on the freezer, can make the difference between dealing with ice crystals coating the contents of the freezer along with defrosting it every month or two, and frost-free contents inside a freezer that only needs defrosting perhaps twice a year.

 

I wouldn't trust a GE with door latches such as the one pictured, even with a brand new gasket.  If the latch has issues, you may never get a good seal, or one that lasts for very long.  I speak from experience with a '50 GE Combination that had a freezer latch that would constantly lose its grip and required regular re-adjustment.  It was a PITA.

 

I agree with Ken's suggestion of looking for a fridge that's a few years newer and has magnetic latches.  From what I've seen in the pictures above, that freezer is an ice age waiting to happen in short order after it gets defrosted.  Not a good option for a daily driver.

 

I installed a new gasket on my '57 GE Combination's freezer door four months ago and while a layer has verrrry sloooowly accumulated on the ceiling and a bit on the rear wall, it's quite apparent to me that I can easily let it go another couple of months and the contents still won't have a coating of frost on them.  Unless I duck down to look, the freezer (top mounted) has the appearance of being frost free. 

 

 

 

[robbinsandmyers]

best bang for the buck

I would say get a 1936-37 GE Monitor Top. These are the pinnacle of the run. Ive had a 1936 going on 20 years now and its been running perfect the whole time. I even bought a 1935 for a spare 10 years ago in case this died but it will prob outlive me. There are repro door gaskets available plus rubber feet to protect floors. They really dont use much power for a fridge and are super quiet. Plus the knee breaker pedal is always a conversation starter when I have friends over!

 

[ken]

I know GE went to a magnetic latch in 56. Hotpoint not until 60. Don't know about other brands. Ive always wondered about using a modern style gasket that has a magnet in it on a vintage fridge. Would think it would definitely help in sealing. Would take some work to adapt one though.

 

[goatfarmer]

The ad says the husband fixed the latch.

 

That GE in Gadsden isn't outrageously priced, but it needs to be in well above average condition.

 

[appnut]

My next door neighbor in my first house grew up in Gadsden.