1980 - When Speed Queen went to a Perforated Tub

[Unimatic1140]

I just posted into the Ephemera Library the sales literature brochures for the 1980 line of Speed Queen Washers and Dryers. These were the very first perforated tub automatic washers by Speed Queen. Speed Queen had kept the tried and true solid tub longer than any other maker. Hotpoint last solid tub was 1973, Frigidaire 1970, Norge and Wards 1968.

 

[combo52]

Frigidaire Solid Tub Washers

Were built in their Skinny-Mini machines through 1979 also if you count this as being a real washer, LOL.

 

[brucelucenta]

The set I got my parents to order and buy had the same design console as these models. The dryer was the new style, but the washer was the last of the solid tub models. They were TOL models with the lighted controls and the washer had the biggest solid stainless tub, but the dryer had only a painted drum. I noticed much later that those last models with the solid tub had a completely flat surface on the washer and dryer top. The later ones had a slight lip around the edge on dryer and washer. That was a beautiful looking set, too bad the washer was so trouble prone.

 

[gansky1]

Every Spring, I used to either beg someone to take me to the Omaha Home Show but this year, I took the bus downtown and went all on my own. $3 admission and I had the best time, nobody telling me to hurry up, etc. As soon as I rounded the corner of the aisle and saw these Speed Queen perf-basket machines with a lid open to the back, I knew the world had changed. No more solid tub, larger capacity (well, sort of) and of course, the lid. SQ changed to the new dryer design in '78 so it wasn't as interesting, but then, dryers never were as interesting as the washers anyway. Brochures in hand, I was set for another year of appliance dreaming!