Hey Up Lads! Vintage Kenmore "Visimatic" Wringer In West London

[launderess]

Just the thing for doing the washing at Wembley Stadium!

*LOL*

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-195...n_Washing_Machines_Dryers&hash=item2ebcaca954

 

[launderess]

How Did They Run The Thing?

Serial plate states 120v at 60 cycles; UK is 220v/240v at 50hz.

 

[lordkenmore]

How Did They Run The Thing?

With a really long extension cord to North America!

 

[launderess]

Well yes, that could be an idea; thank you very much.

But since the washer does not use much electric power it could very well have been run off a serious voltage converter. It would run slower, but it would run.

 

[cfz2882]

"yank tank"

wow,that would be a real score for one of our british friends!Looks a little
newer than my '59 visimatic.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

It's 1965 , I think

Probly didn't get much use; better get on it, "Lads" !

 

[wayupnorth]

The turcoise color and condition really looks great. It looks alot like the one in the beginning of the aisle of wringer washers at my local Sears when I was a kid, about that time, that had the top plexiglass? tub above the skirt, and the poker chips going around in it. I would go by it and switch it from slow to fast and run to the color tv aisle and laugh at the salesmen wondering how it switched itself.

 

[arbilab]

Loverly. And lo, a Spiralator in a Kenmore!

 

[mickeyd]

Maybe they didn't run it at all

Look at the close up of "Visi-matic," pic 11, and click to blow it up. See the lettering on the release bar. It's perfect. Every other machine I've seen had fading. My 66, a year younger than this beauty was a lightly used machine and its lettering was faded. The only way the release bar could avoid contact with hot sudsy water is if you didn't use the machine.

 

This is the most beaufiful Visi, I've even seen, and the Turquoise is spectacular.

 

Mikey and friends, this is the find of a lifetime. Why is it so quiet over there? Hope you're all canoodling to get it.

 

[turquoisedude]

Oh, I wonder if hubby's mum in the UK would consider getting me an early birthday gift?  LOL

 

There must be one good story behind how this machine got over to the UK...  I didn't think Sears would take overseas catalog orders....

 

 

 

[launderess]

Thing Was Either Never Used Or Used With Some Sort Of Adapte

Which would mean also a transformer.

Look at the electric plug, it is still the original 120v three prong grounded standard for USA. No way that thing was used in the UK as it stands currently.

My guess it was either brought over by an American family stationed overseas, or otherwise imported by someone from this side of the pond.

If Sears were selling or at least producing appliances for sale in the UK it would have converted the plug and electrics to work on 220v/50hz. Indeed appliance makers such as Whirlpool do the same today with top loading washing machines that are meant for the export market.

With nearly 300 views, someone is looking at that machine and no doubt plotting. Again due to the rather "low" power draw it could be used with a step-down transformer one should think. However considering how much water splashes about on wash day with such machines the cords would have to be very long to prevent any chance of electrocution or water damage.

 

[launderess]

No Takers, Oh Well

Hope the thing is saved/stored well until someone can find use of the thing.

Highly doubt someone bothered fetching the thing all the way from America if it at some point was not used.

 

[vacbear58]

No takers?

Well it was a bit on the pricy side although one did give it serious consideration. Watching to see if it gets listed again .......

Al