Frigidaire Holy Grail - WCIR-61

[swestoyz]

Hi everyone - thought I'd share some photos of a recent save that was delivered earlier this week. I'm still pinching myself and cannot believe this actually happened!

Last week a friend reached out about a guy who was looking for a new home for an old washer that was left behind in a house the guy had bought about 10 years ago, near Detroit. Photos and an email address were sent my way after we chatted. As you can imagine it didn't take me long to fire a message off to the seller once I saw the pictures.

Within a day of getting in contact with the seller a deal was struck and a shipper was arranged to pick-up, earlier this week.

First photos that were shared:[this post was last edited: 10/30/2020-15:19]

 

[swestoyz]

Off the sprinter van...

Looking through the archives I found photos of 2 intact '61 clamshell CI Frigidaire washers, and Phil's 61 DCIF dryer, and sadly no really good quality photos of the control panels.

Outside of those few photos I had never seen one in person before, let alone any Frigidaire washer in Aztec copper.

I'm here to say, these are just as stunning in person as they are in the manuals. Holy cow! [this post was last edited: 10/30/2020-15:05]

 

[swestoyz]

Outside of being dusty, dirty, and covered in nicotine, this thing was MINT. A quick dusting of the panel revealed the amazing lit panel.

 

[appnut]

Ooohhh Ben!! Having clams many times this weekend? I'm blown away.

 

[swestoyz]

Polished and in storage

Overall, the washer appears to have spent it's life on a main floor of a house, due to the minimal rust. There is a bit of rust along the edges of the chrome trim pieces on the panels, but other than a few other nicks in the porcelain along one edge, it's almost flawless.

Not only was the original bleach dispenser inside the column, but it also came with an unused fabric softener dispenser! The 61/62 cap is actually in pretty good shape, but the machine will look amazing if I'm able to get a set of rings and a fresh cap from Bud. The tub is still as shiny as the day it left Dayton, and still has the wire clothes guard along the top rim of the tub.

 

[swestoyz]

Here are some detailed close-ups. The panel on these is just as breathtaking in person as it is in the ads and Tech Talk. When you lift the top up it's quite heavy, and will snap into to detents to hold it in the opened position. To close, you gently pull down on each side to release the detents, and it will rest on two small rubber bumpers along the top frame so to not scratch the bottom panel.

The tape for the cycle selector is frozen and will require some motivation during the restoration process, at some point in the future.

While cleaning, a rag accidently rubbed against the "Imperial" of Custom Imperial and wiped away a bit of the ink. I believe this can be fixed as it does have a raised border for the ink fill. And can you believe this thing is a Suds Saver? I KNOW! (in my best Charles Phoenix impression)[this post was last edited: 10/30/2020-15:22]

 

[swestoyz]

For testing, I did allow the washer to agitate for quite sometime and both speeds appear to work just fine. This is a good sign that the cumbersome 850/330 RPM clutch is probably in decent shape and can be used as-is. I haven't spun the machine up as I'd like check the oil first to make sure there isn't any water present, which can cause the brake to become frozen and destroy itself. It is providing some positive signs that the spin will be ok as I am able to spin the tub manually with the correct feel/slip from the brake. The suds valve solenoid does snap between save and drain but the pump just buzzes.

For now it will stay in long term storage. A drawn out project to create a space in the basement for the washers has taken much longer than expected, and a few other machines are ahead of where this would be in the restoration schedule. Until then it will stay safe in the basement and anyone from the group is welcome to swing by to see it if they'd like.

Until then, enjoy the glamor shots within this thread or the full sized photos from the Google Photos album link, as well as a quick video posted on YT showcasing the control panel while the machine is pulsating.

Isn't it amazing what is still out there for us to find?

Ben

https://photos.app.goo.gl/pJhyEsj7XY6CDbxg6

 

[firedome]

Wow!

nice save Ben, a clamshell, that is awesome!! the most Jetson's washer ever!
I'll take mine in pink!

 

[hippiedoll]

WOWZERS...

CONGRATULATIONS!

That is so cool. And such a BEAUTIFUL color and in such AMAZING condition!

I am so happy for you! Thanks for sharing those great pictures and that short video of this beauty in action. Hoping to see this Frigidaire actually washing a load with some water & detergent! Can't wait


Doing the HAPPY DANCE for you on this side of the computer...
WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!
☺

 

[goatfarmer]

Great save, Ben, good luck with it!

 

[pdub]

Congratulations Ben

What an amazing find. So glad it is in good hands.

 

[circlew]

Wow, Ben

It's beautiful!

I don't know anyone else who ever had that particular model. My mom's cousin in Vicksburg, MS had a '61 or '62 Frigidaire set that were Mayfair Pink. They however had a standard type control panel, so weren't Custom Imperial models; probably just Imperial.

 

[repairguy]

WOW!!! Congrats Ben! That is a great looking machine. There is definitely an advantage to living near houses with basements. Any machine like that in Texas is long gone although I did run across a graveyard of early 50’s machines about 25 years ago. I wish I would have rescued some of them. Enjoy and good luck with the project.

 

[luxflairguy]

My tongue is hanging out with jealousy! Way to go! Greg

 

[sfh074]

Well .....

since Ben shared his ....... I guess I'll share mine.

However mine will require some major TLC. But just as happy I got it no less! Chrome pieces have already been sent out to the chrome shop.

The plastic control face and light lens on this one are in excellent shape, the only reason I decided to move forward to restore this poor specimen of a clam.

If those plastic pieces had not been salvageable, there would have been no way to reproduce those.

Bud - Atlanta

 

[appnut]

Bud, glad you shared.

Ben!!! I HAVE NEVER SEEN a Frigidaire with suds saver function on the control panel. WOW!!!

 

[pulltostart]

Very nice score Ben!  I've never seen one of these before, didn't realize that the console actually folded.

 

Congratulations!

 

lawrence

 

[gansky1]

That is just amazing - beautiful as all get-out!

 

[hippiedoll]

 sfh074/Bud...

Very cool!
I can't wait to see your Frigidaire once it all restored. I know it's gonna look fantastic also!