Could any Canadian friends help me ID a machine?

[nickuk]

When I visited Toronto, Canada in 1988 (I was 13)our hosts had just purchased a new washing machine. It was a top load agitator style machine. If I remember, the lid swung open sideways from the right. The control panel was white, and on it were (I think) three silver dials. The programmer dial was on the right and it had a little orange triangle which was the `pointer' to the selected cycle as you turned the dial. The machine had a miniwash basket (the host told me it was for lingerie) and a fabric softener dispenser mounted on the agitator. I seem to have `Speed Queen' in my head. I really liked the machine but I'm fairly ignorant about US machines so I don't know if it was cheap, expensive, good or not good......

I remember they used what they used to call `no name' washing powder and FS which came in yellow packaging with black writing on a slant - it simply said `washing powder' or `fabric softener'.

My memories are hazy, but would anyone have any idea what this machine was, or even have a pic?

Strange thing is, I remember very clearly a BOL Hotpoint dishwasher which just had that lever things you pulled right across to shut the door and a cycle dial - you could pick `normal' or `short' cycle only and they always used short. That was a noisy machine.

Thanks for any help you could offer!

Nick

 

[DADoES]

A miniwash basket would likely have to be GE.

 

[DADoES]

Or in Canada, perhaps Viking.

 

[jonv112]

The washer I replaced was a BOL Viking (Filter-Flo, no MiniWash). The description sounds accurate. White control panel with blue writing, 3 white knobs, lid opens to the side, and an orange cycle indicator.

HTH

 

[zipdang]

I'm nearly certain it was an Eaton's Viking. They pop up occasionally on Canadian Craigslist.

Was it like the one in the link?

http://vancouver.craigslist.org/hsh/227396353.html

 

[jonv112]

Hey! That is the exact same model sitting in my garage! At least I think so. I can't recall if the washer is 8 or 11.

 

[zipdang]

I haven't seen one for a while, but I remember the Baycrest models from the early 80's were similar looking to the Vikings, although not GE-built, so no mini-basket or Filter-Flo pan. They may have been WCI machines.

 

[nickuk]

Thanks very much

It was a Viking, I remember now. It was similar to the one in your link, Zipdang. I knew someone out there would know
What sort of reputation did these machines have? Are they bottom or top end of market?

Thanks guys,

Nick

 

[aquarius1984]

Cool Nick, I was in Canada in 1994 in the Uxbridge area of Toronto staying with some relatives. They had Admiral appliances throughout but I remember it being very odd the next door neighbours had Hotpoint washer and dryer and the logo was very different to ours. Everyone in the street used Cheer too. Nick.

 

[joeblow]

Viking was an in-house brand sold by Eatons department stores up until they went bankrupt and closed shop in 2000. Eatons was similar to Sears but a bigger chain (in it's day) in Canada and a bit more higher end. I've seen Viking appliances, likely from as far back as the 1950's, in all shapes and forms (small appliances, major appliances, vacuums, power tools, boat motors, lawnmowers, sewing machines etc).

Viking was definitely a well known brand in Canada and they never produced junk, always decent quality. Earlier major appliances were typically produced by Westinghouse/WCI and stuff from the late 80's up until the end was typically produced by GE.

Another well known chain in Canada (which still exists today) is The Bay. For the past 20 years or so, they have marketed appliances under their in-house brand Beaumark however, earlier appliances were marketed under the Baycrest label. They have never had the recognition that Eatons had with Viking or Sears has with Kenmore, however you do still come across them occasionally. Beaumark top-load laundry & dishwashers are typically produced by GE while front-load laundry, ranges & stoves are typically Frigidaire/Electrolux.

Canada also did have a third large department store chain called Woodwards (mostly out West), which folded in the mid 1990's. They never sold any major appliances under a in-house label, however they were a major retailer for Inglis (much like GE to Home Depot today). Inglis is Canadian for Whirlpool.

 

[nickuk]

Thanks Joeblow, that was really interesting reading. The other place I stayed in central Toronto had a compact Inglis TL and matching dryer on top.

 

[jamiel]

And Eaton's use of the Viking trademark makes you unable to buy Viking professional-style stoves etc in Canada--they re-name them to something else.

 

[jamiel]

also, it seems like Eaton's Viking laundry was roughly the same (rebadged GE-point in strange combinations) as what JC Penney did until 1980 when they got out of major appliances.