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

[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.

 

[matchboxpaul]

1975 to 1978 model A3008.

Mikes famous machine.

 

[matchboxpaul]

Whilst the A3008 was the core range model, Hoover extended the life of the Matchbox version, on behalf of the Electricity Board.

Model A3050 was in production from around 1975 through to circa 1978.

This is the third and final non-preserved model:-(

 

[matchboxpaul]

1978 to 1980 model A3062.

The Keymatic finally becomes an 1100 - a little bit of 'New Magic'!

The machine below is Mathew's, whilst there is also a 2nd preserved example courtesy of Gary and now in Al's safe pair of hands.

 

[matchboxpaul]

& finally

1980 through to circa 1982 model A3112 - the final Keymatic.

The machine below is Mathew's, with an unusual silver finish fascia.

Matthew and Seamus also have a lovely original finish A3112, but I dont have a photo to hand of it. Any chance of a nice BIG photo of your A3112 guys?

 

[matchboxpaul]

Hi Mike.

Not confirmed (awaiting the opportunity for you technicians to look at it), but current thinking is that the switch is a more than likely to be a manual on/off switch for the heater, a function that the timer no longer performs.

Maybe the summer will provide an opportunity to find out?

Paul

 

[sesteve]

Great to see the history timeline of these in photos Paul. I hadn't realised there were so many variants.

I wish I would get a nice email in my inbox like you did. I only seem to get Amazon deals all the time!! Well done again on such a lovely machine. Look forward to some vids soon

Steve

 

[seamusuk]

The A3112

There ya go Paul she turns 33 in June...

 

[washer111]

Thanks for providing the timeline of these machines. The model that you've just restored, and the model before it looks the best, along with A3112, with its progress display. 

 

I look forward to seeing some videos of these in action, the water level and washing action in the drum. Are there any videos of Hoover machines on YouTube (or elsewhere)?

 

[jetcone]

Well

that machine cleaned up nicely, what did you use Paul?  Love the fascia colors on the front. But 27 connections to the timer box?? Holy moly you would need someone standing beside you with the wiring diagram just to get around!!

 

"I also like the prayer mat infront of the machine it seems so fitting " GARY! too funny!

 

[hotpoint95622]

hotpoint 95622

I can’t seem to reduce the contrast and brightness enough on my monitor, all that shiny chrome; I put my shades on, that’s better.

Wow what a line up, so luck that so many have been saved and in good hands.

 

[electron1100]

Glare

Never mind Lee maybe a combination of all these shiny Hoovers and a heavy session over the weekend are contributing to your aching eyes ;-)

JON and the prayer mat
Well as you know yourself mate, some of these machines are treated with utmost reverance and rightly so

Aww i miss them if i could have held onto the 3243 for summer washing only..............hmm i would have to remove a bit more cupboard space,
i wonder how mal would have taken that :-0

Ahh well this is still a lovely thread so i wish you well Paul and if i can ever get to Mats when you and your machine are there i will gladly sit on me arse doing nothing except to poke mat with me stick and say "not the way i would have done it", but as you know "every little helps"

Picture attached of Mike in awe and paying his respects to a Hoover 3062 keymatic