In my recent guide to buying a retro refrigerator, buying vintage was tip #6. That prompted me to look through lots of stories in our archives and put together this roundup of 12 vintage refrigerators. Spanning 1934 to the mid-1970s, these vintage refrigerators are marvelous, wacky, classic, or rare — chosen to taste some of the coolest kitchen appliances that American had to offer. Above: the incredible GE Refrigeration Center.
GE Refrigeration Center:
The pink beauty shown above: This amazing kitchen appliance has a wall-hung refrigerator and freezer on top and presumably, a refrigerator and freezer drawers on the bottom. In between are the famous GE Cabinettes. The GE Refrigeration Center is #1 on my list as the most amazing refrigerator ever. Yet, still, 13 years into blogging, I’ve still have not seen or heard of one in the wild. Sigh.
GE 1955 Wall Refrigerator:
We have seen many “magnificent” GE Wall Refrigerator-Freezers, although none that I recall still in working order. Bueller? Bueller? This remarkable refrigerator — which presents like a set of kitchen wall cabinets — was introduced in 1955. I will presume it pre-dated the GE Refrigeration Unit, although I don’t know for sure. More photos and images about this GE wall fridge here.
Revco Built-in Refrigerators:
Revco made built-in refrigerator and freezer units that I’m sure were pretty high-end brand. In the photo above, the refrigerator and freezer are shown with St. Charles Steel Kitchen cabinets, the creme de la creme. I have a complete catalog of Revco refrigerators from 1956 – so fun to ogle!
The 1953 Kelvinator Foodarama:
Are we having fun yet? I am! Above: Greg and Tammy’s 1953 Kelvinator Foodarama, which Greg had painted safety red. They purchased it from its original owner, and I’m thinking it was in original working condition. See more great photos of the Kelvinator Foodarama — including its amazing interior features here.
- Fun fact: The Kelvinator Foodarama gets a shout-out in the big profile of the blog in the New York Times in 2011. I also heard Mrs. Maisel mention it in Season 1! Same diner scene where you can spot Wilsonart Betty laminate on the tables!
1957 Philco Refrigerator:
My 1957 Philco Refrigerator and 1950 Frigidaire that are my daily drivers in my kitchen. – Will
A 1941 Westinghouse Refrigerator in Continuous Operation for 76 years:
Indeed, these old refrigerators are work horses. Above, that’s Amy’s 1941 Westinghouse refrigerator, which has been in constant operation in the same family since it was purchased. At the time the story was published, that was 76 years and going strong!
1964 GE Americana Refrigerator Freezer:
By 1964, GE was giving us a somewhat less ambitious version of their earlier Refrigeration Center. This one is called the GE Americana Refrigerator Freezer, and we have lots of photos and the paperwork, too. This beauty has an ingenious built-in counter area that lights up, and there’s an easy-access electric plug, too — handy!
1967 Limited Edition Sears Coldspot Designed by Sundberg Ferar:
The 1967 limited edition Sears Coldspot designed by Sundberg Ferar seems pretty rare. It even came with an inscribed nameplate for the buyer. Flora was one lucky lady! This photo of the Sundberg Ferar design came from reader 52PostnBeam via a 2012 uploader.
1970s Poppy Red Frigidaire Refrigerator:
Ya gotta love the ’70s. Avocado green and harvest gold appliances were rocking American kitchens big-time. On the other hand, this poppy red color on refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers was pretty rare — chosen by truly adventurous decorators. I think.
1938 Hotpoint Refrigerator:
Now, dialing back in time, here’s what the inside of refrigerators looked in the 1930s. Simple. Functional. Beautiful. Solid. This one is Alli’s, also from our uploader.
1934 White Seal Ice Box:
Finally, I couldn’t resist: Chutti’s gone old school — or at least, for collecting purposes — with her 1934 White Seal Ice Box.
Laurie Rector says
Looking for a miracle…trying to locate specific bathroom tile for a 1950s bathroom that was partially damaged during a renovation project in our family home.
Would love your expertise? I can send you a photo.
Pam Kueber says
Hi Laurie, here’s our resource page for tile: https://retrorenovation.com/category/bathroom-categories/tile/
Good luck.
Eileen says
Marvelous photos! I’m fascinated by GE’s attempt, in the 1964 GE Americana Refrigerator Freezer, to update the classic Hoosier cabinet of the early 20th century.
jacque says
I wonder why they don’t make those fridges that look like cabinets anymore? I just fell in love. They are so Awesome!!!
CarolK says
jacque, if you mean those fridges that have panels covering the front to match your cupboards, they already exist. They’re the panel-ready fridges that Pan has referred to. Most of them are expensive though. I’d love to find one that is not terribly expensive and, of course, runs well for my kitchen reno. Panel-ready fridges don’t have a through-the-door ice maker which is another thing I like about them.
Brett of Restored on DIY Network has used antique icebox hinges on the panels of fridges he’s installed in 100-year old homes that he restores.
jacque says
No, I’m talking about the fridge that looks like a hoosier cabinet. I just love it.
Sally Schrock says
I own a 1952 Westinghouse Frost-Free refrigerator that was likely the very first such fridge on the market. It has a button that pops out every time the door is opened, which activates the defrosting cycle and prevents ice build-up. It’s still going strong nearly 70 years later–which I got for free. I can’t ever see myself buying one of the new refrigerators, when these vintage ones were built to LAST!
Pam Kueber says
Wow, 70 years — that’s amazing!!!!!
Shari says
We live in a house in Homedale, Idaho built in 1959 and it has a GE wall hung refrigerator. It works but two doors are missing the seals around them so we don’t use it. It is a great conversation piece as most people have never seen one!
Candice McCouch says
Pam,
You should have gone to Modernism Week. There was a functional wall hung refrigerator at the Cree House. I have pics if you would like me to share. It was a true time capsule that has just finished being restored. It was essentially untouched since the 60s.
Candice
Todd Miller says
I recently read about the personal home of Albert Frey, the Palm Springs modernist architect, being restored by its new owner and he even restored the original GE cabinet-style refrigerator. Here’s a link to the story in Palm Springs Life. There’s a photo showing the kitchen with the refrigerator.https://www.palmspringslife.com/the-forgotten-frey/
Amber Dawn says
How come we never see any cool custom designs like these? I wanna say the ad is circa 1968? https://flic.kr/p/2cFXbpX
CarolK says
Amber Dawn, Pam will certainly know what I’m talking about, but a major appliance brand made decorative panels or decals for fridges in the 70s, IIRC. They could be easily changed out according to your mood.
Ms. Vel-Vida says
What a fabulous array of refrigerators! Years ago I had the chance to get one of the GE wall refrigerators for free, but I was still in an apartment and didn’t have the room to store it for “someday”. Probably for the best though, because the kitchen in the house I bought doesn’t really have an ideal spot for it. I also love the poppy red appliances. One of my dear friends who is as big a retro nut as I am always talks about what his dream kitchen would look like, black and white with poppy red appliances.
Linda E Howard says
I have a 1950 GE fridge lh121 L – which I LOVE! Bought it off e-bay about 3 years ago, cleaned it and painted it pink. The best part (other than the lazy susan shelves, light in the freezer AND speed freeze tray (coils on the bottom so it freezes ice super fast) is the “Butter Conditioner. It has a heater in it – so the butter is ALWAYS spreadable. I don’t regret this purchase for a second. I did see a wall fridge at an estate sale, I wanted to buy it so much. But it was in the basement, they weren’t sure it worked and I already had Eleanor (my pink beauty). Still not sure I made the right decision to leave it, lol.
I’d love to post a picture, but don’t see that option
Please & thank you,
Linda
CarolK says
Linda, I lived in an old house off-campus one year in Athens when I was going to UGA. The fridge there had a butter conditioner in it. It loved that feature!