1960' 3-Speed GE's???

[jons1077]

Ok...I'm sorry for this silly picture, but unfortunately it's all I have of these two beautiful GE's. They were a pair of 1968 GE's that my grandmother used for over 30 years before they went away. Unfortunately I was in college and had no means to rescue them and it was heartwrenching.

The washer was like many I see on here, but I haven't seen any that had a low, medium, and hi washing speed. Has anyone ever seen one before or have one? I always thought that was kind of cool and I didn't see another 3-speed until a 2000 Kenmore I bought years ago.

Comments?

 

[appnut]

I've never heard of 3-speed GEs, but I think the man is correct. Two of the toggles have lettering on top of them indicating 3 positions. And those are the wash temp and wash speed. WOW.

 

[launderess]

Hey!

This is a family forum buster! Cover that naked bum! *LOL*

Picture is too cute!

IIRC one of my aunts may have ad that washer, the control panel seems familar.

L.

 

[DADoES]

Several of the major brands had 3-speed machines in the 60s and 70s. Kenmore had 3-speed LKs and a few 800s. Whirlpool's last 3-speed belt-drive machine was the LAA series in ~1974. Frigidiare had a 3-speed 1-18. Speed Queen.

There were also some short-lived *variable* speed machine. GE, Kenmore, Frigidaire.

 

[jons1077]

They were really nice machines. I'd kill to have them now. She kept everything perfect too. had the mini-basket, softener dispenser, booklets, everything.

The only bad thing about the dryer was that I remember always getting zapped by the static electricity when I'd pull clothes out!

 

[swestoyz]

Hey Jonathan,

Hey, what a cool set there! I happen to have the exact same washer as well. I know mine needs work as the clutch seems to have issues. I am VERY curious to see what the mechanism looks/functions like, as I've only seen the one speed/two speed and Versatronic mechanisms.

Ben

 

[nasadowsk]

And if anyone's got anything on how the heck the versatronic clutch works, post that too. i'm curious about it.

 

[jons1077]

I'm so glad to see there are still some out there! Maybe one day I'll be lucky and find a set. I do remember watching my dad try to replace the timer on that machine and it was very difficult...tons of little parts that had to be perfectly in place.

I also remember this machine would fill up rather full. I wonder why later GE/Hotpoint machines filled up less. Where there problems with leaks around the outer tub seal because the water was higher?

 

[bajaespuma]

WWA8500 from 1969

I remember this machine! It was a WWA8500 and it was the third model down from the TOL in the 1969 line. It was in their first HEAVY DUTY 18 model year and I think it was discontinued after one year. It had a NORMAL, MEDIUM and GENTLE activation speed selection but only two spin speeds. This was one model down from the Versatronic infinite speed machine. We almost purchased this model but it was discontinued by the time we got to the appliance store. The following model had only two speeds, but had BOTH solenoid-operated timed bleach and timed fabric softener dispensers. I remember that machine had a straight-8 activator and it made a loud squawking-squeaking noise when it agitated. Never got to the bottom of that but I think the coupler inside the activator was loose.

 

[jons1077]

Neat pic! I remember looking through the booklet that came with the washer and I remember there being a pictured model that was all programmed. I think it was all push-buttons. I don't know but it looked really cool. I'm assuming my grandmother would have bought these brand new around the 68 or 69 year. Would be awesome to see one of those variable speed ones. I know this machine was a Heavy Duty 16 that she had. It had the straight-vain (3 vains) agitator. Just made the typical GE sounds. Especially the loud POPPOP at the end of a spin!

 

[gansky1]

Truly a beautiful GE set! GE always had a very rich, deep avocado. I would have been thrilled to have them as a kid!

The pencil sharpener is fun as well - you don't see those very often anymore.

 

[frigilux]

Family friends had a GE washer with three speeds. I moved from that town in 1967, so it would have been a pre-1967 model. I thought that machine was SO cool...

 

[rinso]

"And if anyone's got anything on how the heck the versatronic clutch works, post that too. i'm curious about it."

GE and Frigidaire had their version of this idea in the late 1960's. I believe it is basically a precision solid-state feedback network which controls clutch slippage via a mechanical link, to maintain a steady selectable agitation and spin speed of the activator and tub, respectively.

At least, I think that's how it works, but then again, I voted for Nixon in '68.

 

[lesto]

This is definitely the cutest pic of the year! Nothing like a little cheesecake pose with your vintage automatics. GE should have run this in their print ads!

 

[thirtyater]

Wow! I would love to have a set like that!

 

[goatfarmer]

I looked at a Whirlpool Imperial set I have in storage today. It has 3 agitate speeds,2 spin.

kennyGF

 

[Speedqueengkc]

reply

That is a nice looking set of GE Versatronics.

 

[Speedqueengkc]

reply

That is a nice looking set of GE Versatronics.