Would just love to know the story behind this! Congrats!
AFTER 13 LONG YEARS THE SEARCH IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter Unimatic1140
- Start date
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chaskelljr2
Well-known member
OH MY GOD!!!!!
Uni:
Where did you find this beauty at???
I know...... you have been wanting one of these ever since the club has gotten started.
And I've never seen one of these beauties...... That is until now.....
What year is this machine?????
Does it work????
When are we going to have more pictures and some videos???
--Charles--
Uni:
Where did you find this beauty at???
I know...... you have been wanting one of these ever since the club has gotten started.
And I've never seen one of these beauties...... That is until now.....
What year is this machine?????
Does it work????
When are we going to have more pictures and some videos???
--Charles--
laundromat
Well-known member
WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats Robert!!
Another one of your favorite dreams came true!!!
Why don't we celibrate---Lets Go For a spin---ducks and runs!!!LOL
Congrats Robert!!
Another one of your favorite dreams came true!!!
Why don't we celibrate---Lets Go For a spin---ducks and runs!!!LOL
Yippee and a huge congrats 
Thank you everyone for putting up with me and my long waits lol
I'm impressed. Each phase on the timer display has numeric countdown!!!
Before I describe how I found this machine first is some background behind my long search for an Apex Wash-a-Matic. I first started collecting vintage automatic washers at the end of 1995, by the spring of 1996 I had four machines: a 1956 Westinghouse Laundromat, 1959 Philco Automagic washer, and 1962 Kenmore 700 and a 1962 WDC-62 Frigidaire Multimatic washer. In May of 1996 I went up to St. Cloud, MN and stopped by a recycler looking for vintage machines. He told me he just pulled in this funky looking machine for recycling. He had actually just found a 1953 Model Apex Wash-a-Matic! I had remembered reading about the “bouncing basket” Apex in old issues of Consumer Reports but had never actually seen one or heard of anyone who had seen one or even given one much thought about Apex for that matter. So I bought it for $25 and took it home. I was able to get the machine running after figuring out that the pump was stuck. I had run probably 10 loads through it and thought it was one of the most fun, energetic/dramatic washers I had ever seen, totally on par with a Frigidaire or Philco. So I was ready to continue with its restoration. I was new at washer restoration and unfortunately had "over-tinkered" the machine to the point where I thought it was a lost cause. It had rust in the outer cabinet (no outer tub) so I wanted to sand it down and paint it. But in the process of getting the wash tub pulled out I ruined the top bearing and a few other things. So in June of 1996 after only having the Apex for barely one month I got rid of the machine thinking that I only want to save room for stuff that is working perfectly and I will find another one some day. Of course after meeting other collectors I started to realize just how extremely RARE a vintage Apex washer was. I realized I made a terrible mistake by getting rid of that machine. At least I had enough sense to save some of the important drive mechanism and pump parts from the original machine, I still have those parts today.
So I went on a quest to find another one. I put several classified ads in appliance industry and repair magazines offering a $1000 reward for an Apex. Not one word, nothing from any of these ads. I’ve had the reward page posted with the Apex for six or seven years now on the site as well, and nothing. Of course then in 2006 many of you remember this thread
The Baloney Apex Find and The Baloney Apex Find’s Tragic Ending
.
So fast forward to March 23, 2009, almost 13 years after getting rid of my original Apex. The story behind my finding this machine is a bit odd. On Monday, March 16th an ad was posted on Minneapolis Craigslist titled “Old Apex Washer $20”. The text stated something like I have an old washer that was in my house when we moved in, it looks like its from the 1930s or 1940s, the brand is Apex. Want it out by the end of the week”.
I didn’t notice this posting until Thursday March 19 so I emailed the guy asking him for a picture or to describe the machine to me. I didn’t hear back so I sent him the picture from the reward page of the Apex Wash-a-Matics and asked him if it looked like any of these machines. No response for four days. Then suddenly on this past Monday morning I finally received a response from him, he said:
The machine on the left looks a lot like it. However my wife did not know I was trying to get rid of it on here, so she had already called a man to come haul it off tomorrow morning. I'm very sorry about this.
So I responded and to told him I would pay him a lot more than $20 if he could cancel that haul off guy. He responded back with:
Thankfully I was able to save the machine for you. Its at #### 13th Ave S, and sitting out in the driveway up by the garage. We'll be home at about 5:00 tonight.
So I respond to him asking him if he minded if I come and get it over my lunch hour because it looked like it was going to rain. Unfortunately now every email I sent to him is suddenly bounced back by the server as it appears he has cancelled this email account and the Craigslist posting has now been deleted. Without further ado I rushed home and got my hand truck so I could rush over to that address which is about 4 miles SE of my house. I get to the address and no washer in the driveway. I go around front and back, ring the bell and no answer. And no washer. I double checked the address and I did indeed have the correct address. My heart dropped as I started to think that maybe the recycler didn’t get the cancel notice in time and the machine had been picked up and sent to the crusher. I walked back to the truck nearly as disappointed as I was when I realized I wasn't getting the one in 2006.
*But*
I just happen to notice about six houses down near the end of the driveway next to the garbage cans what looks like a washer waiting for trash collection. I drove over towards it... and there it was!! I could have passed out. He must have mixed-up in the address. I rang the doorbell on that house and no one was home. So I loaded the Apex into my truck and away we went. By that point, I'm surprised I could even drive The thirteen year search is finally OVER! I still just can’t believe my eyes. Thank god for Craigslist.
So I went on a quest to find another one. I put several classified ads in appliance industry and repair magazines offering a $1000 reward for an Apex. Not one word, nothing from any of these ads. I’ve had the reward page posted with the Apex for six or seven years now on the site as well, and nothing. Of course then in 2006 many of you remember this thread
The Baloney Apex Find and The Baloney Apex Find’s Tragic Ending
.So fast forward to March 23, 2009, almost 13 years after getting rid of my original Apex. The story behind my finding this machine is a bit odd. On Monday, March 16th an ad was posted on Minneapolis Craigslist titled “Old Apex Washer $20”. The text stated something like I have an old washer that was in my house when we moved in, it looks like its from the 1930s or 1940s, the brand is Apex. Want it out by the end of the week”.
I didn’t notice this posting until Thursday March 19 so I emailed the guy asking him for a picture or to describe the machine to me. I didn’t hear back so I sent him the picture from the reward page of the Apex Wash-a-Matics and asked him if it looked like any of these machines. No response for four days. Then suddenly on this past Monday morning I finally received a response from him, he said:
The machine on the left looks a lot like it. However my wife did not know I was trying to get rid of it on here, so she had already called a man to come haul it off tomorrow morning. I'm very sorry about this.
So I responded and to told him I would pay him a lot more than $20 if he could cancel that haul off guy. He responded back with:
Thankfully I was able to save the machine for you. Its at #### 13th Ave S, and sitting out in the driveway up by the garage. We'll be home at about 5:00 tonight.
So I respond to him asking him if he minded if I come and get it over my lunch hour because it looked like it was going to rain. Unfortunately now every email I sent to him is suddenly bounced back by the server as it appears he has cancelled this email account and the Craigslist posting has now been deleted. Without further ado I rushed home and got my hand truck so I could rush over to that address which is about 4 miles SE of my house. I get to the address and no washer in the driveway. I go around front and back, ring the bell and no answer. And no washer. I double checked the address and I did indeed have the correct address. My heart dropped as I started to think that maybe the recycler didn’t get the cancel notice in time and the machine had been picked up and sent to the crusher. I walked back to the truck nearly as disappointed as I was when I realized I wasn't getting the one in 2006.
*But*
I just happen to notice about six houses down near the end of the driveway next to the garbage cans what looks like a washer waiting for trash collection. I drove over towards it... and there it was!! I could have passed out. He must have mixed-up in the address. I rang the doorbell on that house and no one was home. So I loaded the Apex into my truck and away we went. By that point, I'm surprised I could even drive The thirteen year search is finally OVER! I still just can’t believe my eyes. Thank god for Craigslist.
If this was a Minnie Estate
Sale $10 washer I am just gonna slap and kill you ded!
It better be from Hawaii or Alaska and cost the earth to ship mister!!!
Sale $10 washer I am just gonna slap and kill you ded!
It better be from Hawaii or Alaska and cost the earth to ship mister!!!
Now there is some heavy metal. Congrats Robert. Can't wait to see it run. Many good loads to you.
Jon
Jon
Funny how age has caused the blue fiberglass to take on such a beige tinge. I remember how deep the color was when those things were new. It will be so kool to see/hear it in action.
Sale $10 washer I am just gonna slap and kill you ded!
Get ready for slappage.
And yes it spins between the wash and each of its two rinses. More to come soon.
Get ready for slappage.
And yes it spins between the wash and each of its two rinses. More to come soon.
Un-freaking-believable
Ok, I have never seen anything like this before! Please, Robert, provide us with some more details!!
Ok, I have never seen anything like this before! Please, Robert, provide us with some more details!!
Apex!
This is such a Great find - I am Happy U found your dream. Is it possible to get a video at some point?
Best Wishes,
Peter
This is such a Great find - I am Happy U found your dream. Is it possible to get a video at some point?
Best Wishes,
Peter
