1963 Frigidaire!

[swestoyz]

Ken - the fold-down clamshell was a 1961 Custom Imperial feature only. Certainly expensive to cast and manufature, I'm sure those conditions kept GM from continuing this in 62 and 63. 1961's also featured a similar button selector of that from the 1960. Simple push-buttons, found on the '62 and '63, would have been another cost savings point.

Kenny - yes, sturdy is the word. Unless this is on a wet floor, then it decides to dance!

Patrick - if I can figure out video editing, anyone can! Give it a try and don't give up at first. Eventually the light bulb will click and it's a piece of cake after that.

Jim - very cool memories to share with us! Seems quite a few folks here had a '63 Frigidaire in their past.

Thanks Martin for the kind words!

Peter - holly cow, I forgot I had posted those awhile back!

I learned something from the discussion today. For some reason I figured the 12 pound tub came out in '62, but I was wrong, per the doctrine (see below). Enjoy the craziness of speed changes year by year! I forgot to note on the chart the changes in 1962. At some point in the year (I believe towards the end) they changed the mechanism to that of what was in the '63. Changed the timer, motor, pulley's, clutch, etc.

The quality isn't the greatest, but that's what happens when you cut from multiple places in each table from each scan, then go from Illustrator to pdf to jpg.

Ben[this post was last edited: 10/24/2011-19:51]

 

[jetaction]

Great Video!

And a great machine, Nice to see it in action!

 

[washerlover]

Absolutely gorgeous! We had the '62 or '63 Custom Deluxe when I was a kid with the three-ring agitator...no back-lit panel or push-buttons. I see someone earlier in this thread confirmed that the Jet-Cone agitator is authentic to your machine? Great video. Thank you so much!

 

[swestoyz]

Good question Todd - the agitator that would have came with the machine would have been identical to the one in Paul's WDAC-63, shown below.

Anyone out there got a spare?

 

[spinmon]

Sorry I didn't mention in my earlier post,beautiful Fridgidaire! Now,thinking about that low-high spin speed shift,it DID go to high 1 timer click into spin.

How about an empty tub,timer advanced into high speed speed spin segment,0-top speed video with good sound. I think many of us would love to hear the low-high shift as it's accelerating. PLEASE!

 

[whirlcool]

My parents had a set of these when I was growing up. As you all agree this is one of the most beautiful washers that was ever made.
Those panel lights were so bright! Our laundry room at the time was where our house's back door from the garage was. My parents used to leave the lights on the washer and dryer so they could see when entering the house from the garage late at night. Our machine also had the 4 ring agitator in it.
You must have paid a fortune for those machines. I haven't ever seen any for sale. And they are so clean!

 

[swestoyz]

Spinmon - as I mentioned before, I pulled the machine out of service for the time being. I want to repair the pump before putting it back in daily use. Someday I may get around to filming this machine again.

Allen - wow, another family with this set! I would have left the lights on all the time as well. Heck, I've gone down in the basement many times before the next day having forgotten to turn the lamp off. It looks so nice you don't want to turn it off!

Ben

 

[mayfan69]

Gorgeaus Ben

Gorgeaus Ben.....

What else can one say!

Cheers
Leon

 

[maypool]

mad video

That was one of the best vids, clear and beautiful keep them coming thanks for sharing man.

 

[rickr]

Great video Ben, thank you! Beautiful machine too. The first washer I ever owned was a 1963 Custom Deluxe set. The Flowing Heat Dryer and the Sturdy Washer. Well, you what luck I have always had with the Multitragic.... I replaced the washer soon after getting the set, with a 1971 1-18 and used the 1963 dryer with the 1-18 until 2002. I always loved the dryer. The only thing I had to do to it was replace the blower fan once. It came loose from the shaft and destroyed itself.

 

[whirlcool]

Another thing I remembered about my parent set was the smell. They had a smell to them that was similar to a new car smell it lasted for several years after they bought the machines.

They kept the machines until about 1972 when I was in college. I came home to find a GE Filter Flow set in their place. You know, I never asked why they got rid of the Frigidaires. But they did get heavy use. My sister as a teen was famous for washing just one blouse or just one pair of jeans at a time before a date. My dad kept screaming at her about the water bill.

 

[washerlover]

Thanks swestoyz for the pic of the green & blue ring agitator...just like the one in the Frigidaire we had when I was growing up.

 

[gansky1]

One of my favorite Frigidaires - too pretty not to install in the kitchen, Ben!

 

[autowasherfreak]

Nice video, and a beautiful washer!!!

 

[jetcone]

Ben

I love how the slogan "The sturdy washer" was screened on top of thick clear plastic so that the letters float above the curly-kew background. The CD I had just screened them on top of the metal backsplash. All the neat little details of the TOL models GM was meticulous back then.

 

"Special" cycle, on my 1-18 the special cycle gave slow wash with high speed spin for pillows, does yours do that?

 

 

[swestoyz]

"Special" cycle

@ Jon - Yes, I believe it is slow agitation will normal speed spin. A favorite!

Ben

 

[mickeyd]

HI Ben

Could I trouble you for the charts and doctrine mentioned in Reply 30.

 

That'd be sweet, and if you can, Thank You.

 

[swestoyz]

Hey Mike - the chart doesn't appear to be loading anymore. I'll repost when I get home tonight.

 

[mickeyd]

It'll be fine night time reading. Thanks, Ben.

 

[whirlcool]

There aren't too many of these left, are there?
I'm a pursist, I prefer mine with the original agitator.

Maybe someday, some way.....

 

[mickeyd]

Regional differences?

My Aunt Margaret's early sixties Multi, identical ( I think !) to the one featured in Paul Turquoisedude's thread, had a 12 pound tub with the classic yellow and coral rings, the same one that was in our Tower Unimatic. Isn't that weird?

 

[swestoyz]

I prefer mine with the original agitator.

I would too... *dreaming* lol

Mike - hopefully this copy works for most browsers.

Ben

 

[mickeyd]

Ben & Pete

Ben, now the scans are appearing in Reply 30, and above. Thanks, the variations in speed are amazing.

Pete, that's the first time I've seen the 62 custom Deluxe in print. It's the one I have, but I added a light, not as bright in person, just really nice. Excuse the flash. Next time, I'll make sure it's off so you can see everything.