Birthday Presents #1

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An enquiry from the UK

Hi guys, browsing the threads, saw this and a childhood memory was jogged into life again.

The era would be the early to mid 1980's and concerned a machine that lived across the road from my grandma's in the north west of England. I had never seen one before and was mesmorised by it - it was a Philco-FORD washing machine and, from the looks, the dryer above would have been pretty much an exact match to it.

In the UK we had both Bendix and Philco machines sold sepeartely, but I had never seen one badged as a Philco-FORD before!

The main questions are:

what was a FORD badge doing on a washing machine sold in the UK? Or the US for that matter - I notice that it is also present on the dryer pictured above.

&

can any of you guys fill me in on what the machine I remember as a child was likely to have been (pictures would be great!).

I am pretty sure that the basic machine was based upon the more common Bendix LA, LS and combined washer-dryer LT, an advert for which I have attached - sorry that its a bit small - it was on ebay UK about six months ago and I have kicked myself many a time for not buying it.
Hey ho!

Any info on Philco-Ford and its machines would be very greatfully received, as that machine across the road was one of the more unusual machines that I encountered as a child.

Cheers
Paul

4-7-2007-12-16-6--matchboxpaul.jpg
 
If these are common failures, I would consider reinforcing the unsupported end of the fan blades to prevent another failure. A band or wire around the periphery (under light tension) would prevent excessive flexing and subsequent failure due to centrifugal forces.
 
Damn Jimmy - these are by far one of the coolest control panels of any washer/dryer combo from the 60's! So many different colors and buttons - this dryer is a smash! Thanks for posting the service lit info about the reverse tumble feature.

Looking forward to seeing the washer next to this dryer in the near future ~

Ben
 
Didn't we discuss that a Maytag fan fits perfectly in the Philco? Maybe I am on crack, but I know that there was some brand out there that could use the Maytag fan for a replacement...

Congrats! And Happy Birthday!
 
Great looking dryer Jimmy. I remember when they found that one, not long ago. Glad to see that it found a good home.
 
Very nice dryer! I cant imagine why they would use bakelite for the fan. It musta got off balance with lint build up and then blew apart. I have never seen anything like that. That fan looks like an old Speed Queen fan the kind that had the fan ,heater and motor and a belt to drive the fan. I just wonder how the 2 speeds for the high and low airflow were and how much air did it pull thru the drum.
I know when I had the Frigidaire dryer that had the reverse tumble feature the dryer would stop with the heater on and then reverse for something like 20 seconds and then reverse back to normal direction. That created a blast furnace effect on the load and the back of the dryer got discolored from the heat build up,.
Best of luck and let us know how you make out with the dryer.
 
Happy Birthday, Jimmy =- what a great gift..interesting that Philco kept the Custom Imperial as their top of the line for the last few years in the laundry business. I have the 1965 book and they weren't using Ford as part of the logo then - and I recall that my friend's Custom Imperial washer didn't have the Ford logo either -yet they didn't get the washer until 1967 - perhaps they got a deal on it since the father worked for Firestone.

Ethel ( on the "checkerboard britches"): "...oh I was wondering what to wear to all those smart dinner parties I give"..

Lucy: Look, wear them with an off the shoulder peasant blouse, a big crushy belt and ballet slippers and you're all set!.

Ethel: For what, Halloween???
 
Happy Birthday, Jimmy! You received some very nice gifts. I expect there will be some merriment at your mom's newly restored digs reminiscent of the past, replete with hot dogs, cake and ice cream, pin the tail on the donkey, and dropping clothespins into milk bottles, no? ;-)
 
Neat!1

Jimmy I know you like your philco's and thanks to a good friend you have another addition to your collection. I like others will keep my eyes open for the "Match" and of course If I find it youll be the first to know Happy Birthday Dude
 
not to change the subject or anything, but...........

HOLY COW! AN AIRWAY SANITIZOR!!!! My parents still have one of those with the little accessory holster that hangs on the handle!

I totally forgot about that thing until I saw it peeking around the corner in Post# 201862!

Davy
 
Looks very nice Jimmy!

Happy Birthday a little late too, from one Aries to another!

Congrats on the great find!
 

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