1959 Philco-Bendix Duomatic

[Unimatic1140]

I'm curious if anyone is interested in buying my 1959 Philco Duomatic? The machine has a leaky pump shaft seal, but otherwise works as designed. It's a good washer, fair rinser and has the best spin of any front loader of the 1950's and 1960's. It's a terrible dryer, but it does dry albeit very slowly. I believe in the next model year they installed a fan to help with drying time. I had to replace the condenser dryer water valve with a modern European 220 volt water valve, but now has an adjustable water flow valve if you want slightly higher water pressure for the dryer. I found the machine in 1999 at an old appliance parts and service place on 32nd street and Nicollet avenue here in south Minneapolis. I actually found a lot of great new old stock parts in that place. It and the building it was in are long gone and has been replaced with a fancy high-end butcher shop.

When I set up shoppers square I said that rare machines should still go into Imperial and this machine is super rare, as it may be the only one known to exist. It's the first attempt at Philco's 27" combos. If you are interested in this machine please let me know what you would offer for it.

Why am I selling this machine? Because I have come to the conclusion that at this stage of my life I do not really want such a large collection anymore and would like to slowly downsize.

Eventually by the time I'm ready for retirement I'd like to be down to five or six of my coolest and most fun vintage automatic washers, a couple of vintage dishwashers and maybe one vintage Filtrator dryer and that's it.

 

[Unimatic1140]

and the money shot of course...

 

[gyrafoam]

Those were great looking consoles in those days. Definitely has some Lincoln styling influence.
I have a '63 narrow body and I use it all the time. Kim gave it to me years ago. It's a Gas model, however, I have never used it as a dryer.

It has a single spin speed that is pretty good. I agree the rinsing is fair. I use very low-sudsing detergent in mine and the rinse seems better that way. Other than keeping the debris trap clean and the tranny fluid fresh, I have never had an issue.

A great addition to any collection.

 

[glhturbo2]

Beautiful!

It would be neat to have something like this, what an interesting machine. You don't find to many Philco's around anymore. I bet alot of people would love to have it, just like I do lol.

 

[easyspindry]

I have a 1959 Duomatic . . .

. . . though not quite as fancy as Robert's. It works great. I find that the dryer does a good job in about 40 minutes. If I happen to be around when it's ready to go into the dry cycle and can re-spin the load in my F&P, it will dry in about 30 minutes.

I try to use it at least once a month just to keep it happy.

Jerry Gay

 

[combo52]

1959 DuoMatic

I always loved the styling of this machine Robert, I would go after it except we have a TOL 61 vented DuoMatic which is quite fast but like this one it is small in load capacity.

 

The only US combination that was smaller than these 59-69 Philco-Bendix was the rare Speed Queen that we have.

 

[phmorrow]

Hello Robert! How much are you asking for this beauty? I woundnt mind having that machine. I have always been interested in the duomatics and how they work.

 

[trainguy]

Unfortunate Part of Life

Robert,

I too have slowly started to downsize; not only washers and dryers, but also trains, antiques, furniture, vehicles, etc. I am still looking for 2 washers and 1 dryer, but want to get down to only 4 matched sets by the end of 2018.

This Philco of yours is absolutely gorgeous! You really pour your heart and soul into your machines. I'll keep watching for your next offering.

All the best,
Rich

 

[laundromat]

If you can price it out including shipping to Hilo, Hawaii,I am interested in purchasing it. We have 220 here in both the house and the laundry area outside where it would easily fit.

 

[Unimatic1140]

If you are interested in this machine you can email me, figuring out shipping is on the person who wants it.

 

[launderess]

Think it is safe to say many of us are Baby Boomers

Though perhaps at different stages/decades of that demographic.

That being said many Boomers of all stripes have begun "getting their affairs in order" so to speak, and that includes downsizing if necessary.

IMHO far better to start early and see to it that things one cares about go to proper new homes than to have a fire sale later. That and or (God forbid) the dreaded estate sale after one passes.

 

[brucelucenta]

I pretty much got rid of most of what I had a few years back. You can't take it with you and at least people got the ones that were the most collectable and did not scrap them. It makes me hope that someone will pass things along to a next generation person who is really interested in them. The kid who is not yet 16 is a good example of that. He is so very interested in them, but time will tell I guess.