Flip the Panel on a Norcold for a brand new look!

[persimmonpal]

Hi all,
I have a 1965 Compact with the original Norcold refrigerator in it.. I have been going back and forth wondering whether I should go with an icebox or the propane fridge.
I guess my main dislike about the Norcold is the position.. I would much rather place it down so it is under the counter, kinda like the stove. I feel that the area it is in could be better used for storage, make a slightly larger counter too.
One other ereason I didnt want to use the Norcold is that the front panel was really rusty. Today I was playing around with it and I realized that if you remove one screw on the bottom, you can fold out the frame holding the front panel in and actually pull it right out. As I was pulling it out I was thinking it would be great to replace the panel with 1/8 birch, but when I had it removed, the back side is a really nice pale yellow color.. looks like it is brand new.. HMMMM.. I think I may keep it that way, and repaint the stove to match.
Anyone do something similar? I still have to hook up the fridge to make sure it works though.
I will post some pics shortly of both sides.
If I do decide to change the positioning of the fridge how should I be venting it?? I was thinking that the access panel could be used as another outside storage bin, maybe even a place to place a battery for some minimal 12 volt power.... I could put the fridge in so that if I needed to pull it out to work on it, I could do so fairly easily.
The "Guts" of the fridge are rusty, but the PO said it worked fine. How durable are these Norcold ammonia refrigerators anyway??
Thanks again everyone for taking the time to help this newbie out!
-John

[Bob]

I took the avocado green panel out and replaced it with a piece of formica to match the countertops (pictured is mid resto). After the refrigerator side vent blew off while rolling down the highway, I used the avocado green panel to fill the hole where the vent was. It's painted to match the trailer now.

I vote to leave the fridge where it is. That way, you wouldn't have to reposition the side vent, roof vent and gas line. Add the ice box where you're thinking of moving the fridge to. Then either one that isn't in use can be used for storage.

[vikx]

Propane refrigerators might last 2 days and maybe 10 years, hard to tell. Rusty cooling unit could mean it's ready to croak or already has. The first thing to do is see if it works.

I agree with potomac, leave it where it is because of venting/gas lines. All LP fridges should have a chimney to exhaust gases. They pull in from the lower vent and exhaust at the top.

A replacement propane unit runs $600 and up so, hopefully your does work.

[persimmonpal]

Thanks everyone! I think I may just bag the whole idea, get an icebox from Vintage trailersupply, put it under the countertop and free up all the room in the back left corner.
Anyone need a Norcold near Boston???
BTW.. I like the matching linoleum panel on your fridge!