Expert Poll: best classic washer ever?

[spin-doctor]

I know this must have been discussed here ad nauseam and apologize for that. But I'm just getting really drawn in by the looks and apparent performance of many of these classic washers I've been seeing on some of these threads. It seems there are certain washers that appear to be better respected than others. The Maytag appears to hold the crown for ultimate durability and fine workmanship. And of the pictures I've seen so far, the 60's and 70's Maytags just look beautiful. True pieces of industrial engineering art.

But I hear others mentioned like Norge, GE etc, but not sure how pretty they may be too (of that 60's 70's era). Is there a thread or certain posts that really gets into all this I can look at? I'd love to learn lot more. I feel I might be on the market for a classic washer and dryer set eventually, but want to educate myself better first.

In the meantime, here's a poll I'd like to post just to get opinions:

1. Which 60's-80's washer had the best overall performance? I've read the diff between BD and DD and I think I already get that part. I just mean overall washing and spinning performance.

2. Which one is the most durable?

3. Which one is the most beautiful? Or, if you prefer, which one is the most interesting or cool?

4. Which one is has the best combination of overall attributes? Like the crème de la crème?

 

[glomain]

WELL

cant beat a GM made Frigidaire,like the 1-18s

 

[peteski50]

Favorite Washer!

The 1/18 is probably one of my most favorite - their was good and bad - pros and cons to all! I Loved the belt drive whirlpools / kenmores Maytags and others this can be a good thread to continue with all the pros and cons of the vintage era!

 

[panthera]

Goodness!

Well, even the lowest quality vintage washer is better than the trash built today.
Maytag was probably the most durable.
Frigidaire Thumpers washed best.
Whirlpool had great design and some good and bad washers.
Norge and Speed Queen are outside my knowledge.
GE Filterflos rinsed out dog hair enormously better than anything else.

 

[rp2813]

For more bells and whistles than you would likely ever need, the Lady Kenmore series from Sears probably tops the list of washers from the '60s - '80s.  These Whirlpool-sourced machines were both reliable and refined in their dependability and quiet operation.

 

Maytags were built like tanks and the mechanics are simple.  They run forever and are as no-nonsense as you'll find with regard to ease of use and lack of superfluous bling and features.  The top of the line series 806 machines are prized by many.  The entirely push-button controlled 906 series are so rare they're not worth pursuing, and they generally don't allow any user interference to tweak a particular cycle to one's liking or preference.

 

I've seen Frigidaire thumpers in action and was very impressed.  The design and engineering of the (then) largest automobile manufacturer in the world really shows.

 

And, following the if-you-can't-say-anything-good rule, I'll reserve commenting on Norge/Ward's washers due to living with Post-Traumatic Signature Disorder since 1967.

 

[thomasortega]

Electrolux FL500

 

[norgeway]

All the way around

Whirlpool or Kenmore from about 1955 thru about 70

 

[turquoisedude]

I can't just pick one, alas....    I love how well the older Frigidaire Unimatic washes and spins; the washing action of the ABC-O-Matic is just too much fun to watch; the Blackstone agitiation is pretty fun to watch also; but I keep using one of my older Whirlpool-built machines (including not just Kenmores, but the Inglis as well here) as the 'daily drivers'.  

 

[peteski50]

Whirlpool / Kenmore!

Yes Hans - I loved those Whirlpools with the console lights - I have friends that had the 58 Imperial time line machine and that was a real awesome looking washer!
I still remember watching that machine wash and it is a Unforgettable Happy memory

 

[panthera]

Has anyone fond memories of Westinghouse?

We have (thanks to several fellow members!) a working slant front dryer and a PANK! one waiting on repairs. I must say, the ideas were good but the execution, hmm, well, hmm.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Hmmm. There are many that I like. So I'll start with Maytag (surprise!), General Electric Filter-Flo (grew up with one), Frigidaire 1-18 (My parents first automatic was a Frigidaire Unimatic back in '54) and Whirlpool/Kenmore (my folks have had both in their secondary home, a '63 Whirlpool, and currently a '83 Kenmore 80 series in grey).

 

[losangeles]

Expert Poll: best classic

So many interesting responses to this thread. A great read. For me I have to say first up would the early Frigidaire Thumpers. I have so many fond memories of standing on a stool to watch it wash. I can still smell the Tide. And now a lifelong dream is about to come true. I will be picking up two Frigidaire's tomorrow from my buddy Dwight. I am like a kid on Christmas Eve. Next would be the Kenmore and Whirlpool line from the mid 50's thru the 60's and 70's. Such class and styling, functionality, dependable and a good spread of bells and whistles depending on the model chosen. Last would be the Maytag. As said before by other members, they were built like a tank, dependable forever straight forward no fooling excellent washers. I have a model A282 myself and use it often. My mother was strictly a Kenmore woman except for a very brief stint with a Westinghouse slant front washer/dryer combo. If she could have had access to a shot gun, it's life would have been shortened considerably. Wish I had it now. It was Pink.

 

[firedome]

Frigidaire

1-18, there's nothing else conceptually like a FD, it's just so different, and what a capacity!

 

[americana4]

If reliability is a factor, have to weigh in with my GE filter flo, bought new in '82.
I debated long & hard spending more for a Maytag, but after 3 children, 4 moves and 36 years with absolutely no repairs ever, the GE is still my daily driver. Wish I'd bought 2.

 

[gregingotham]

Frigidaire all the way!

From unimatic to 1-18 the action, the panel designs, all were the best in my opinion. Too bad jet action can't be revived in new machines today.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Back in the 70's-80's when I was a kid I helped an old German guy that owned an appliance repair biz and went on calls with him. The Maytags hardly ever had issues or Whirlpools. The Maytags were the easiest to change belts but the Speed Queens the worst with those rocking solenoids I remember.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Kenmore/Whirlpool:

DD or BD are the best in my book. Maytag would be my 2nd.
WK78

 

[mrsalvo]

I've also been wracking my brain on this one.
For 1, 2, & 4 workmanship and dependability I would have to nominate 60's - 90's Maytag. I had an aunt that had one that lasted over 30 years with little or no repair, for a family of 4. There's no telling how many loads she washed day in and day out. They were so simple in design that they were beautiful. The only drawback I could think of was their capacity, like my 2015 T/L SQ, 2 queen sheets, pillowcases, and a pair of PJ's is a full load! (When I was growing up I thought Maytags were the most boring washers ever. It wasn't until I was older that I appreciated the well built design.)

For #3, any of the lighted consoles Kenmores, with all the different agitators. GM Frigidaire's were down right cool, Westinghouse indexing tubs too, & of course, The Wards Signature / Norge's burpalators were most entertaining (and loud).

All time best laundry detergent: Tide XK, though I had quite a few favorites. Still miss Salvo, to this day.

Barry

 

[wayupnorth]

Well, I just finished a load in my 1984 LA511 and dried in the DE410 Maytags. In all those years one $28 pulley for the washer and dryer has never been touched. So this is my vote as mine are the same as the center dial models but with a newer, lovely wood grain back guard. The old slogan was true for mine after nearly 35 years, "Maytags last longer with fewer repairs than any other brand, thats why we are known as the dependability people". Unfortunately, not today.