A 1947 Thor Washer - Never Used!

[easyspindry]

Way to go Robert!!!

I grew up with a Thor. It replaced a Maytag wringer. Ours was a year or so newer than that one, I think. The control was lower and was a lever type thing you pushed down and turned to "wash" or "spin."

I knew one lady in the small town that had the dishwasher tub, and I was able to watch her use the dishwasher one time. Fried egg had dried on the plates for several hours, and they came out sparkling clean.

They were great machines -- and didn't have to be bolted down. A biggie at the time for the advertisements.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! What a lucky machine to have found you!!!! Enjoy.

Jerry Gay

 

[combo52]

Wow Another NIB Appliance

Just amazing Robert what is still hiding out there, it looks great in your kitchen, and when you find the dishwasher parts you can finally get rid of that old Roto-Rack D&M Dishwasher, LOL.

 

Can't wait to see and hear it in operation.

 

John L.

 

[maytagbear]

Congratulations, Robert!

What a find! So happy for you.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[gyrafoam]

Congratulations! That's the best looking one I've ever seen, and I remember them quite well from the fifties!

The people who had them sure used the hell out of 'em. Great "diaper washers"(and then do the dishes!) I recall one woman who would throw in the clothes and detergent, start the agitation AND THEN turn on the water! Then she would wander away and come back in a bit to turn the water off! I wonder if she had a lint problem?

I am also curious if that agitator is easily adaptable to anything else? I wonder if it would fit a Norge or Speed Queen Block?

Seems like by the late fifties or early sixties, one would find them cast-off in the corner of a dusty basement or garage, replaced by something more modern.

 

[lesto]

Another lucky find for you, Robert! Congrats!

 

[foraloysius]

Great find! Very shiny new machine. You'll never have to use an automatic washer again in combination with that timer. ;-)

 

[Chetlaham]

Wow, wow, I mean just wow!

Just Awesome all around! Well deserved find, I am so happy you found this, what better person to bring it to life.

 

[swestoyz]

Absolutely amazing.  I'm still in awe that so many new in box appliances have shown up over the years and I'm glad you were able to get this one up and going! 

 

Looks great in your kitchen Robert!  I hope to swing by someday and check it out.

 

Ben

 

[golittlesport]

Holy Smokes!

Congratulations, Robert! What a great find! Gotta love NIB, never used. Glad you got it running, it looks fabulous in your kitchen! And very clever installing the timer for fill and wash, and the water temp control. That is a semi-semi automatic. Awesome!!

 

[mayken4now]

Super Find

and what a nice nice way to start a good week!

Love the control switch for the water fill and the timer. Nice job, beautiful washer. Enjoy!

 

[kevin313]

How incredible!! What a wonderful addition to your collection - amazing to find something of that vintage that was never used...it's in a good home now!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments!!!

So, are you going to be on the hunt for the dishwasher tub now??
Of course lol

The dishwasher tub and racks were sold separately? I'd've thought they'd come as a package as that was the main selling point, right?
No the Dishwasher assembly was sold separately as an accessory according to Consumer Reports for $96

The spot that you chose to be the Thor's new home...wasn't that the spot where you had a pair of slant front Westy's before?
Yes the Westinghouse Laundromat set was in that spot for many years

I am also curious if that agitator is easily adaptable to anything else? I wonder if it would fit a Norge or Speed Queen Block?
I don't know about that, the drive block is very different than other machines.

 

[hoovermatic]

What a FABULOUS looking kitchen! That machine looks right at home.

 

[keymatic3203]

Hi Unimatic

I helped chestermike out with his automagic as seen in his video above. It is great to see you have this lovely machine, great to to see how you have linked up the push button controls, but one difference I notice, yours is controlled by an electric switch and solinoids whilst ours is operated by steel cables, were all the U.S. models electromechanically controlled or just the later ones, I'm pretty sure ours were all mechanically controlled.

Anyway Robert well done and I hope you and the other Thor owners find the dishwasher unit soon.

Mathew

 

[alr2903]

Great thread/find, Robert.   I wanted to inquire about the weight (approx.), of the balancer ring?   The controls you designed for the time and water temp are clever.  Thanks  A

 

[gorenje]

Hi Robert

Congratulations, what a fabulous find !

I can imagine how one might be happy to find something like this.... and after all a never used one. WOW !

It has the years of my father, both from 1947, LOL

Ingemar

 

[circlew]

Super find, Robert

I like your control panel, too.

 

[rocky2]

The Washer Gods have smiled upon you once again!

Congratulations Robert. A fantastic find!

 

[qualin]

Here's a stupid question... my curiosity is killing me...

What happens if the "dishes" setting is used with the washtub by accident?

And vice versa.. What happens if the "clothes" setting is used with the dishwasher by accident?

I'm guessing with the dishwasher, it wouldn't really do much.

I'm guessing with the washtub, the agitator would just spin really fast and wreck the motor if the tub was full of water?