Who wants a 1950s GM Frigidaire range?

[volvoguy87]

Some distant friends bought a house in Northern Virginia recently and are gutting the kitchen. Sadly, the cabinets are already gone. They would like someone to take the range who will appreciate it and not scrap it. I have not personally seen it, so I am writing this based on the information they told me and the pictures they sent.

It may be circa 1951 and it is 40" wide. The model is #RM-10 5420286.

There is a pull-out storage drawer on the left and an oven on the right. There are 3 elements and 1 deep well. The porcelain is in very good condition, but there is one paint spot that the owners are not messing with for fear of accidentally damaging the porcelain. Everything works and the range was connected and in use until this week. There is no clock, no timer, and no broiler drawer. The range is complete.

The asking price is FREE. Please take it.
Dave

 

[volvoguy87]

More.

More.

 

[volvoguy87]

Even more.

Even more.

 

[volvoguy87]

Yet more.

Yet more.

 

[volvoguy87]

Another.

Another.

 

[volvoguy87]

Can you believe it? another!

Can you believe it? another!

 

[oldhouseman]

Oh you guys

are killing me. Another stove that is PERFECT for my house but to far away to pick up.

!!!!!!AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

 

[volvoguy87]

Yet another again.

Yet another again.

 

[volvoguy87]

How to get it!

If you would like this range or would like more information, pictures, etc. please reply in this thread or to my e-mail. The owner and his partner would like the range to be appreciated, not scrapped, so let's see what can be worked out!

Thanks,
Dave

 

[swestoyz]

I love the simplicity of these early GM ranges - not much flash or bells and whistles - ALMOST like a WO-65! ;-)

Clean lines, beautiful crisp-looking controls, and a TON of white porcelain. Looks like the provisions for the lamp are plugged by chrome inserts.

Ben

 

[danemodsandy]

Greg:

I'm going to add to your agony:

That range is a Raymond Loewy design.

Virginia is within striking distance of Georgia, c'mon!

 

[volvoguy87]

Oldhouseman

How much would a new stove cost vs. U-Crate? This one is in working shape.

Just a little friendly ribbing from another historic preservationist!
Dave

 

[classiccaprice]

Dave, call me... it's gorgeous!

 

[oldhouseman]

Ok Volvoguy

I will look into the cost.

I am not certain anyone here really understands the scope of the project I took on when I bought my house from the Historical Trust a couple of years ago.

Maybe I should start a new thread but to put it short I took on a house built by a man who served in the war with our first President.

I have worked my A$$ off to put it back to the earliest time period of the nation and want to....

install the earliest 20th century appliances that would have been in the house

This stove looks like a match...

 

[oldhouseman]

Will please

don't knock me out of this stove....

and let me see if I can get this beauty to Georgia.

By the way, how is your latest project coming?

Greg

 

[mihi]

This range is just beautiful. Hopefully someone will be able to use and appreciate it.

 

[classiccaprice]

That's fine Greg, you did see it first and I was hoping for a later 50's electric (either conventional or stovetop/wall oven). I have a gas late 50s Kenmore that I don't trust. I found out it was not the original one from the home (their used to be a stove top/wall oven arrangement). I just didn't put two and two together. I actually was going to see if someone on here wanted it. It may be fine, but I know I can check/rewire an electric if needed, I don't have a clue how to check/repair gas. Besides, pilot lights scare me (my cousin and his wife almost died from the pilot going out on a mid 60's stove one in their house). I think the Kenmore would do better in another home.

Ironically though there is one just like the Frigidare (in far worse shape) in the old junk yard near where I grew up. It has been closed for 30 years, but is fun to walk around and see what is still there. I actually salvaged the name plate from it and hung it on my wall. One day I want to go back and save the "F" wings, but I couldn't get them off the day I was there. I used the laptop camera, so for the picture is reversed, go figure.

Also, for anyone interested in wall ovens, there is a mint early 50's GE at the local Restore for $10. Again, I want a later one, with a window in the door if possible.

I'm currently doing odds and ends to the Zenith television console. I ordered new handles for the doors (I found exact reproductions!) and plan on ordering a new idler wheel/needle for the cobramatic shortly. I need to order all the caps for the Philco console (then the Zenith) and figure out how to replace them. I just need the cash. (fun fun)

Good luck with the stove, Greg!

 

[volvoguy87]

Oldhouseman

I didn't know you bought your house from the Trust. Those are often a BOATLOAD of hard work. Lots of blood, sweat, and tears, but hopefully well worth it. My recent projects have been hampered by a minor problem, I need a job!

I have very poor eyesight. I don't drive at night anymore and that REALLY limits where I can live and work. I am trying to find a job in historic preservation in a city with good public transit (meaning better than just buses) where I can live and work without having to rely on a car for getting to work. Boston is my #1 choice, but I haven't had any luck finding a job there yet.

I lived in Savannah, GA for 3 years and loved it, even though their public transit was a pathetic waste of time. The company where I was working ceased to exist and I couldn't find another job. The Savannah College of Art & Design graduates so many historic preservation majors who are willing to work for peanuts and competition for jobs is so stiff that I couldn't find a job that I could live on. I loved Savannah because I only had to take out the car twice a week, give or take. I restore antique bicycles and I rode one to work most of the time. I also walked a lot. It was a very nice existence and I hope to get back to an urban environment as soon as I can find a job. Right now I am living with my folks because I have no place else to go. Here in the outer suburbs of DC, as soon as the sun sets, I'm a prisoner in my own house every night.

Sorry to blab on so much about me, I'm getting my own thread off topic,
Dave

 

[danemodsandy]

For Greg:

Anyone who doesn't understand what Greg is doing with his house should know:

It's like what they did at Colonial Williamsburg, only with a single house and without any Rockefeller donations helping things along.

Right, Greg?