Early 1960's GE dishwasher

[davortho10]

I went to an estate sale last weekend at a house that was built about 1963. The only thing really interesting was the dishwasher. It looked to be original to the house, and seemed to be in excellant condition inside and out. I ask about it and they said it wasn't for sale. The new home owner is supposed to be moving in the beginning of the month, and they didn't know how to get ahold of him. I just wondered if anyone had had a similar experience. I was thinking about going by and leaving a note on the door or something offering to buy it or trade it out.
I'm still trying to find an appropriate dishwasher for our kitchen. Our house was built in 1960. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions about this?

 

[jamman_98]

Here's a Suggestion

I have a 1960 Frigidair Spin tube dishwasher. It was original to the house which was built in 1960. The family used it for 10 years then quit. I got it for free in 2011 when the guy who purchased the house wanted it to go to someone. You may find one around somewhere. Not sure how good the washing action is but will find out on my own.

jamman_98
Joe

 

[davortho10]

Love the pic, very nice..! That's exactly the period I'm looking for. Great color too, very close to the oven and stove I have. Hope I have as good luck as you did.

 

[miele_ge]

Joe, what does it say on the knob?

Does it say "Dishmobile" or something else?

 

[countryford]

Go back and tape a note, with your name and number on it saying your intrested in buying it, on the inside of the machine. Or just keep pass by every so often after the new owners have taken possession of the house, and maybe you can catch them to ask them about it.

 

[jamman_98]

Yes

It says Dishmoble on the knob. It worked when the guy who bought the house had it still installed. Just needs some TLC then I can install it.

Joe
jamman_98

 

[norgeway]

I always leave notes on the front door

And call the realtor, I have gotten lots of stuff that way!!!

 

[rinso]

These machines actually work quite well. The biggest problem with them is that users didn't follow the instructions and placed dome-shaped items face down in the lower rack, like one would do with conventional dishwashers. Finally, about 1966 or so, Frigidaire switched to a more conventional spray arm wash system.

 

[philr]

This Spin Tube dishwasher is identical to mine. It's a 1964 Deluxe Dishmobile that was converted to an undercounter model (just like mine!).

Here's mine:

 

[akronman]

photos

An inside picture or two, please?

 

[philr]

Mark, did you want pics of the GE or the spin tube?

Here are a few of my '64 Deluxe spin tube.

 

[philr]

1964 was the final year for the spin tube model and that year, the Deluxe Dishmobile got a front panel that looked like the one on the Custom Imperial. Previously, the Deluxe model had just a chrome handle and narrow chrome trim at the top that didn't extend to the timer knob. The 1963 narrow trim was carried over for the undercounter models.

 

[philr]

The 1963-64 models (both the Deluxe and the Custom Imperial) added a small spray arm at the top to improve washing of items on the top rack. The top rack was also redesigned and was now rolling on stainless tracks rather than sliding on bakelite tracks like the 1962 and earlier models.

 

[philr]

The lower rack now featured a full-width plastic silverware basket.

 

[akronman]

Phil

Thank you, yes it was pics of the spin-tube model, they are so rare. I'm re-reading above and can sort of figure that loading would be quite different than the 2 spray arms that have become so standardized. Water is coming from a different location and direction than I'm used too.

Thanks for pics--

 

[philr]

Here's the interior of my 1962 spin tube dishwasher, also a Deluxe model. This one had no top spray arm, a metal silverware basket and a different top rack with Bakelite tracks.

 

[jamman_98]

Ok Correction

I got curious about my dishwasher. I really never paid that much attention to it when I got it and now that I'm soon to be building the vintage kitchen I thought I'd go take a closer look. I found a date of June 9, 1964 on the motor/pump mount so it's newer than I thought. It has the full silverware basket and the spray arm at the top. It does not have the Dishmobile on the knob but it does not say Delux either. I also looked at the potential leaks and will need some advice from the group on restoring it somewhat. That will come later. When I picked it up, the guy said it worked so I'll assume the motor works or is at least not seized. I'll try to shoot some pics and post.

Thanks
Joe
jamman_98

 

[rollermatic]

i picked up one of these

spin tubes in chicago about 3 years ago and although i love it for it's historic/nostalgia value i would never use it as a daily machine! i found it's cleaning ability to be so so. but who cares, it's fun to run every month or so and again is definately a unique part of dishwasher history! i did see some parts on e bay for these machines last week, the spin tube and a couple others. and i did post a complete thread on rebuilding this machine here on the site, again about 2 or 3 years ago. it's listed under "frigidaire spin tube" if anyone is interested. my rebuild went well, it runs great and doesn't leak a drop (yet).

even though it's not a great cleaning dishwasher this machine is quite rare and would definately be worth grabbing in my book!

love the turquoise color on the one in this thread, mine is sunny yellow.

 

[rollermatic]

an inside pic

of the one i have