A 2nd dose of Matchbox from the weekend - 3243H Keymatic De Luxe!!!

[matchboxpaul]

Just got that annoying blemish above the powder drawer to protect and cover, as well as a similar blemish underneath the fascia.
Once those are sorted, the upper part of the machine is sorted...

 

[matchboxpaul]

....

 

[hotpoint95622]

hotpoint95622

Peek a wow

 

[seamusuk]

Late to the Game...

Hey Paul
Absolutly STUNNING
So thats another variant saved brilliant!.
Hope you can find a work round for the heater issue.... would be great to see it back in service!.
And glad you were impressed by the Peek- it really is brilliant stuff .
Seamus

 

[ronhic]

Paul

She looks just fabulous....

 

[sesteve]

Wow Paul. It's looking fantastic. That peek stuff seems to work a treat along with some good old elbow grease no doubt - it looks almost like new and the indicator lights look great. Great to that it has its original drain hose too - I've always preferred the rubber hoses to the plastic ones.

Thanks for the Electra pic too.
Cheers
S

 

[chestermikeuk]

Matchbox

Well Paul, NOW I can see the difference...ha ha, great work, looking forward to seeing it in action soon...are all the indicator bulbs working as well?

 

[washer111]

Neat!

Machine looks absolutely fantabulous after that polishing up - almost new to my eyes! Lets hope she's a performer too

 

Quick question, do those little plastic "floppy disk" looking things control the cycle, like those old hospital menus you had to punch your order selection on? Or are they simply for show, or some sort of dummy control?

 

Would definitely love to own one of these - such a smart looker.

 

[supermaticjames]

Yes they select the cycle, they act like the dial you would turn on a normal automatic.

 

[matchboxpaul]

Thanks guys for the comments.

Really is good stuff Seamus - thanks for letting us know about Peek!

Hi steve. Was also very pleased that it has managed to retain its original hose and it seems to be in good condition too. It doesnt feel brittle, though I wouldnt want to put it under too much stress.

Hi Washer111. James has it - the keyplates have notches on each side. The keyplate is inserted into the card reader which reads the edge of the plate, clicking as it goes and identifying the programme selected.
Its a lovely process, especially when combined with the keymatic timelines, timedial or timelights (which style depends on which generation of Keymatic you are watching) and all the accompanying clicking.

In the photo below, the reader is the the front, with the programmer timer set behind it...

 

[matchboxpaul]

Dragged the machine out into the sun a week or so ago...

 

[matchboxpaul]

Roll on the warmer months and a suitable get together weekend and then maybe we will get the chance to plug her in and see what's what! Until then....

 

[matchboxpaul]

A brief Keymatic history

1961 to 1964 model 3224.

The machine is Mike's and the photo hails from my first ever wash-in, back in 2007.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Matchbox Keymatic

Looking great Paul, any news on the switch, was it a retro fit for the heater?

 

[matchboxpaul]

1964 to circa 1966 model 3226.

The machine below belongs to Mathew, with the photo taken at Mike's.

 

[matchboxpaul]

1966 to 1967 model 3203.

The first widebody machine, with this example also belonging to Mathew. The photograph was taken back in 2008 at the time of its unveiling to the collector world.

 

[matchboxpaul]

1967 to 1969 model 3203H.

As per model 3203 in every respect, apart from it being a hot and cold fill. One of these models has yet to be preserved:-(

 

[matchboxpaul]

1969 to 1971 model 3223H.

The first keymatic with a powder drawer and, as with the 3203H, one of these models is yet to be confirmed as preserved (though Hoover possibly/probably has one of these - fingers crossed they moved it!).

This model ran during the early stage of the Matchbox era, whilst Hoover tried to cram the keymatic into the smaller bodyshell.

 

[matchboxpaul]

In 1971 Hoover managed it and created the first version 3243H.

This machine was saved by gary and is now cared for by Mathew. I remember the excitement when this machine surfaced - was the first preserved Matchbox!

This version ran into 1972....

 

[matchboxpaul]

....when the colour scheme was changed to create the 2nd version 3243H.

The newest preserved Keymatic, this model ran through to early 1975.