Dream machine?

[badgerdx]

So, I'm currently working on selling the "Classic cars" I bought to restore and "kind of" have gotten around to. They take too much work, and are too big to store easily, and my landlord is getting tired of them.... SO: Transferring my love of vintage things to, of course, WASHING MACHINES! Something I can use and admire, and it doesn't take up THAT much room, etc.

My dream machine, if I'm being realistic, is a Unimatic from the mid-late 50's... Assuming I could FIND one in reasonable condition, either restored or restorable, what would I look at paying to have a "daily driver"?

I'm gonna start saving those shekels...

 

[strongenough78]

They seem to pop up out of the blue somewhat often. Usually anywhere from like $50 to $150 is what I've seen a few pay for one like you've described. You could even find one cheap to free on the shabby side and have no problem getting assistance on restoring it. Robert can practically do it in his sleep and there are many others out there looking for replacement parts. If I see any I'll let you know. I know what it's like to have your dream set in mind and wonder if you'll ever have the luck actually finding it once you have the means!

 

[marks]

I really need a Westinghouse Laundromat set!! That will complete my kitchen. I've been searching for about a year, and nothing...
If I ever came across a Unimatic, I'll keep you in mind!

 

[wetguymd]

Ashamed to say...

Back in the mid 70s I bought a mint condition Unimatic from probally 1950's that I used for a very short time and didn't care for it. I think I paid $25 for it and while I was intrigued with the entire machine I didn't appriciate it like I would today. I sold it for like $20 about a year later. I would kill for that machine today! Its amazing to think about things that we had or could have had many years ago that didn't really mean that much to us and then how we would love to have them today.

PS... don't tell Robert about this or he may block me from this site

 

[pdub]

Been there

Back in the 80's there were used appliance stores everywhere it seemed. The Union Gospel Mission had a big one here that was just for appliances. I bought a washer, dryer and dishwasher from them at ridiculously low prices.

I remember walking in and being asked what I was looking for. I told the guy I wanted a Frigidaire washer and dryer. He showed me over to a long row of nothing but Frigidaire washers but they looked so old to me. I had never seen a Frigidaire washer in person older than '65 although we had a '63 dryer while I was a kid. I remember seeing an early Unimatic and several other models all priced at $25 each. I told the guy that these were too old. (I know - GASP!)

I ended up buying early 70's 1-18 machines and was thrilled to have something that to me seemed so modern. I wasn't a collector back then but just knew I wanted Frigidaire from growing up with them.

I still have the use and care book from that first washer.

 

[lebron]

PS... don't tell Robert about this or he may block me fr

Robert sent an Apex Wash-a-matic to the crusher !!!!

 

[qualin]

My dream machine? Probably a very late 1950's or very early 1960's GE Filter-Flo. The kind with the control panel on the pillars. A hotpoint from that same era would come in a very close second. A 1960 or 1961 Frigidaire would also be a candidate too. I love the control panels on these machines.

I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a early 1960's Speed Queen, if only just for the sounds and noises they made, rather than the looks.

Of course, I'd probably have to have a matching dryer to go with it to complete the set, but the washer is the much more exciting part IMHO.

 

[tomturbomatic]

You don't really want to make a classic machine like a Unimatic a daily driver. You need to be able to spread the use out among several classic machines. I don't even use my A806 with great frequency. These machines have earned a semi-retirement and an easy life.