Celebrating the 1,000,000th Bendix Washer

[gansky1]

Bendix made this machine in 1947 to celebrate the milestone of 1,000,000 Bendix Home Laundry washing machines produced. I've seen ads showing this washer but never expected to see one in person - or that they even made them available to dealers. Well, here it is! I picked it up in Kansas City, KS today and it's home safe and sound. This machine apparently was from a dealer and passed through a couple of owners before the guy I bought it from today. It must have been used solely for display purposes as this machine is never used. I gave it a bath when I got home this afternoon and other than age, it doesn't appear to have ever been installed or used!

 

[gansky1]

The "gold" plating is only on the door and the trim pieces around the timer dial and the soap door - the rest is a gold'ish-silver paint on metal. The top is not porcelain as the standard home models were - just painted steel which probably explains the age and corrosion of the paint.

 

[gansky1]

Look at the shine!

The hoses and hardware bag were inside the machine, it even smells new inside!

 

[gansky1]

The hoses and hardware - I've read about that cloth bag in Bendix doctrine, it's fun to have one! Inside are the hose screens, washers, clamp for the drain hose and the grounding wire.

 

[gansky1]

Here is the illustration from one of the ads that Bendix ran showing this "Gold Plated Bendix" - I'll have to find those ads I've seen to put with the machine -- and maybe some of those velvet drapes!

 

[appnut]

Noq THAT'S a collector's item!!! Congratulations!!!

 

[mickeyd]

Speaking of Church

Are you familiar with a monstrance, the big sun burst on a pedestal they put Jesus in, a huge white wafer inside a glass surrounded in gold, the pyx?

Anyhoo, that's what the millionth Bendix door looks like--FABULOUS!!

How great that you got it. You better find another one for Mister Bendix of Boston, or you're gonna be in big trouble.

Congratulations Greg

 

[sharples]

So beautiful

Amazing, great job securing it!!!! Another one saved for the future!!!

 

[bestcleaning]

Very glamorous!

 

[rickr]

Oh! That is cool! Love it Greg, Congratulations on finding that in NEW minty fresh condition.

btw: If you come across a NOS Multitragic trans, grab it for me! <:

 

[swestoyz]

That is sweet Greg! For those folks to cannot smell at the moment - I can just imagine that new washer smell aroma flowing out when you open the gold door.

Now the decision will be - do you use it? Or keep it in the living room with a floral arrangement atop? ;-)

Ben

 

[jetaction]

What Could be better?

Than never used! Congrats!

 

[tlee618]

Greg I am so glad that you were able to get this machine, it is really a piece of history! I like Ben's idea, it is a perfect place for beautiful floral arrangement!!

 

[frontaloadotmy]

especially if you are able to

with a nice set of those exquisite drapes!!

 

[foraloysius]

Ooooh!, quite a treasure you found there and what a fun thing to have. Unbelievable they already made their 1,000,000th machine in 1947.

 

[dj-gabriele]

CONGRATULAZIONI!!!!!
That is really woth to have! Wow I'm impressed! Will you ever run it?

 

[goatfarmer]

Beautiful machine, Greg! There's a sort of museum here in South Bend, that I'll bet would love to have that. It's good to know it's in good hands.

kennyGF

 

[washendry]

2,000.000

I have the 2,000,000th Bendix Gyrator w/ water rastioner, it works, but needs a new Boot,
Kim

 

[jetcone]

Now there is a piece of washer history!

Global washer history. What a nice find Greg! I bet you were thrilled to have it all loaded up and on the way back home yesterday. Hope the trip back was quicker!

Is that silver paint around the door? I can't quite tell.

jon & al

 

[Unimatic1140]

YAY for 1,000,000

Fabulous Greg, I'm so glad you went to Kansas City and got it. Now that is a Living Room washer if I've ever seen one!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Bendix

Hi Greg, glad you all survived the trip, now the Bendix special has arrived home!!!...I`m not sure about the living room...I cant think of anything better than getting the washer all set up in prime location, lovingly connected up and having a wash-in to toast its " First Maiden Wash"....special washer special occasion,

Enjoy, Mike

 

[supersuds]

Super! I'm green (er, avocado) with envy!

 

[danemodsandy]

Good Golly Miss Molly

We have officially gone from rare to the Holy Grail level of scarcity!

Congratulations on a terrific find.

 

[selectomatic]

Amazing find, and a real piece of history

I don't think swagged velvet drapes and a spotlight would be 'too much.'

-kevin

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

Amazing!!!!

Greg,
This is such a find! I think it is the find of the year for the club!
I do think you should put it in your living room! You should take the "guts" out, and put a vintage round screen television in it!
Just kidding!
You are going to use it right?
I am happy for you getting this! I am just in shock that these actually exist, and you found one!!!
You find the Rarest of them all!!!!
Brent

 

[gansky1]

I don't know about "holy grail" status, it wasn't even a "dream" machine - I didn't know they even existed outside of a photo shoot!

 

[tomturbomatic]

Greg, I am happy for you. There must have been several of these machines made to celebrate the milestone because the one in the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn looks different than the dealers' machines. It has really heavy plating on the gold & silver parts. John and I had no idea that such a milestone machine existed until we saw the one at the museum in 1985. I have the same full color ad featuring that machine. The velvet draperies were green. Maybe, you could have the whole cabinet chromed and have the gold door and plate around the timer for highlights. I guess that they never had a chance to make a million of any of the newer machines because the models began changing each year and then Bendix was sold. I wonder if Maytag had a special looking Millionth Conventional washer and if it would have been the Master E2L ?

 

[danemodsandy]

The Millionth Washer:

BTW, Greg, is this just Bendix's millionth washer, or are you getting close to having a million yourself? ;-)

 

[appnut]

The velvet draperies were green.

Scarlet O'Hara green? lol

 

[gansky1]

Went With the Wind

"I saw it in the window and I just couldn't resist!"