Vintage Frigidaire Refrigerator

In the house I recently purchased, is a 1930's Frigidaire Refrigerator. Looks like a built-in. It has been painted several times and has large aluminum hinges and handles like a commercial refrigerator.

I would like to strip the paint off the refrigerator but don't know what the original finish might have been. Does anyone know how I can find out? I'd like to strip it to the bare metal and leave it that way if possible. Would I be causing more harm then good? Or should I just paint over the existing paint.

I would prefer a metal finish but don't know what the original finish was. Does anyone know what the original finish is on these types of units?

Thanks in advance!

And another possible information source:

Good idea about the auto body shop... thanks!

Thanks for the info!

Are you sure this isn't porcelain over metal? If it has chips that you can feel with your fingernail, rather than shallow like a normal paint chip, it's probably enamel.

You could, however, have it painted any color you desire. Did you know that an auto body shop can put a baked-on finish on it for you? They can even remove the layers of paint. It might be a costly process, but I know several people who've had this done at such shops, and the appliances looked great.

White is always right, is probably the original color, and never goes out of style.