Gas Duomatic up for grabs in MI

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Ooooh----scary memories. Someone better eat their Wheaties before they try to move that Megalith----right Chris?
Sure turned my truck into a low-rider.
 
eBay Searches

Hey Eddie - I've spent quite a bit of time setting up searches on ebay for certain keywords - then when a hit comes up they will automatically send me an email about the auction. Most of the time it is bunk - but on a rare occasion something like this will pop up.

This will be a great addition for anyone out there - you really can see the back side of the box in the control panel shot! Jon where are you....

Ben
 
Never seen one like that before. Crazy about all those cool unusual control "wheels"

And yes, Ben, I wonder to, will Jon make the trip or summon our new Fetch-a-Washer service.

Thanks for showing me something new and delightful. Going to get my magnifier out to read all the sayings on all the wheels
 
Fantastic Find!!!

I've got the desire and the gas connection and an F250 for hauling. Anybody up for lifting?

Why are these beauties always so far away???

Looks like a wonderful machine.

Jerry Gay
 
I thought about bidding on this beauty....

but, never used? Come on! Why would anyone not use this dream machine? I'm normally not skepical... but this is just too unbelievable!!
 
Brian--it happens and sometimes we're lucky enough to ge

Gregm procured a never used Blackstone Dryer from the late 50's.

Maybe someone with a story could start a thread about never used vintage machines and we could enjoy them and have a lasting record.
 
Hi Jon, You just gave me a memory jog

or flashback--maybe a I have seen a Duo with the wheel controls. Does one of yours have them, and that's where the memory comes from?
 
it happens and sometimes we're lucky enough to get the s

Michael,
I stand corrected and I appologize if I offended anyone. I have found NIBs also, so I guess it's not TOO unreasonable... but dang, that's one big, heavy NIB.

My point is that this is my all-time dream machine, and for someone to have one... and never use it is just (for me) unthinkable. I can understand a perculator, vacuum or something small... but you can't just put this thing into a closet and forget about it. But, again, here in Southern California, we don't have basements, so I guess someone could buy (or receive) a machine, brings it down to the basement, and then put a sheet over it and forget about it for 50+ years --- only to be "discovered" upon your demise... what a world, what a world.

If only I had a big truck, I'd certainly make a road trip for that one.
 
We've seen several vintage NIB washers turn up on either fleaBay or Craigslist, some even with matching dryers.

You'd be surprised how many housewives forty or fifty years ago simply wanted nothing to do with modern automatics, and were perfectly happy doing laundry the way they had since they began housekeeping. The other oft told story is her indoors purchased the units, but the husband refused either permission to have the things hooked up and or wouldn't do the job himself. Either way the units sat sitting where they arrived, slowly mouldering away and gathering dust.

There are of course those rare NOS finds in the back store rooms of appliance stores and shops, but those are coming harder and harder to come by. One of the best things about the recent housing boom, was all those homes formerly occupied by elderly residents, being flushed out of all those vintage appliances.

In the case of the above Duomatic, who knows the reason why the units weren't hooked up. Maybe whomever purchased them realised only after getting the unit home, they didn't have nor could obtain natural gas service.
 
Thanks for your explanation Launderess. Your explanation(s) seem plausable. And you are right, who's to say why the owner never used the washer. It could even be that it was so "modern" at that time, it would seem a little intimidating; almost threatening. I was probably rushing to conclusions when I really hadn't thought about it.

One thing though, the dials on the machine seem very faded. And the top chrome area is very pitted. It thought these dials were originally painted? It must have been exposed to sunlight over the years.
 
Think of how many times you have your mother or female relative what you thought was the perfect appliance, and while they gushed and said "thank you" the thing went back into the box and never saw the light of day. They were not being mean, but housewives can be a strange lot, once they have a system down which works, it is usually hard to get them to switch.

Can't remember who told the story, maybe it was a memember here, about him telling his grandmother that once he was out of school and had a good job he would buy her an automatic dishwasher so she wouldn't have to do dishes by hand anymore. Well the man's grand quickly responded, "then what would I do then"? Better story was of the woman whose family got her an automatic washing machine, only to have her sat sitting in front of it waiting for the laundry to finish.

Lest you think this sort of behaviour belongs to a bygone area, I can assure you have seen plenty of brand new appliances both on eBay and other places that someone got home and simply changed their mind.

I say don't question why the stuff is there, just get it!
*LOL*

L.
 
Brian, I'm sure you offended no one!!

Like you, until joining the club just over two years ago, had never heard of such strange tales as those of an old washer from a faraway place, un-used, un-plugged-in, and sometimes NIB (new in box). I believe this club actually coined the acronym NIB. Sure hadn't heard it before coming here. So these fascinating tales of perfectly new 50 year old machines, the stuff of legends and dreams for washer boys & girls are often true, as L. has just fleshed out.

Maybe someone else who has one of these beauties will tell the story. Currently working on "un-boxing" the story of two never-used machines but getting the details is a little like coaxing a turtle's head out of its shell.
 
What in god's name do all those dials and switches say??

Looks like you could make that baby airborne

Nice socks by the way once Al shakes the lint off ;'D

Still savin' that mahogany 40's Bendix radio for you.
 
I'd jump at it

If I was 'over there' I'd have it in a FLASH.

Look at the interesting coincidence of the bidders id names.

I hope someone here gets it and shares the joy.
 
Jon, thanks again for the gorgeous photo

If you get a chance, after fixing Al's many many Easter treats, could you quickly list the contents of the wheels, dials, and switches of your Bendix Spaceship control board. Much appreciated and only if not a bother.
 
Duomatic winner

Kim,Congratulations on your new 1957 Duomatic.I guess I have enough of them.It would have been nice,But not meant to be.Have fun with a great machine
 
Kim thats just a fabulous addition to your collection!
Congratulations and I'm sure I can speak for Chris when I say I'm glad to be too far away to help move it!
Eat your Wheaties!
 

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