Hotpoint Serial Numbers & Difference Between 95 & WM Series

[hottieaquarius]

I have been looking through a few threads since coming back on the forum and I have always been curious in the difference in serial numbers, especially in the WM Series of Hotpoints.
I do realise already that the 95 series is mostly from the 80's and the 90's was introduced to the WM series of Hotpoints, the last good set of machines made by them before they were taken over by Indesit. But what I want to know is, What year was the last 95 series machine made? Which number was the first WM? I am sure it was somewhere around 11. Which number was the last WM to be made before they brought the WMA's in? There are also some more technical questions, as looking in pictures I noticed when the dial was changed to a wavy design, I am not sure whether that came in with the WM series, or the original flat dial handle was phased out within the WM era of machine.
Were the WM60's machines the last to feature the classic Hotpoint logo from the 70's until the early 2000's, before the adapted coloured logo made an appearance, which was eventually uncoloured.

If anyone on this forum could answer any of these questions or give me a good explanation then it would be very appreicated as I am a big fan of these old machines.

 

[hotpointfan]

hottieaquarius

Yes, the first WM was the WM11
The last WM was the WM83,before the WMA series, which had 3 dials and the newer logo, like the one used on the earlier WMA series, oval but not filled in.

Hope you find this good info.

hotpointfan

 

[henrypeter21]

Hotpoint WM Series

The Hotpoint WM series has been made during the 1990's as simple machines for people like me and my dad and were built to a good standard, but unfortunatly this all stopped in 2001 when Indesit purchased the GDA Share of Hotpoint (I have been informed) and then took over completely in 2008 when they purchased the last part of hotpoint and then intergrated them into their own brand. Yes it is very sad these machines are not made anymore, but if only the Beko WM5100W We had worked and cleaned to a good standard, then we would have kept that. We now have a Hotpoint WML540 and it has been a very good machine since July 2011.

 

[hotpointfan]

Henry

It was 2004 when all of Hotpoint was Indesit owned, around the time of the WT960/WF220 etc.

hotpointfan

 

[hottieaquarius]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Interesting to find out how many they made.
I suppose that was the reason why they changed the drum. Couldn't it have been possible to make the same drums, but bigger, as they didn't seem to make them bigger than 5KG.
And I think 2004 was the year that they started to use the logo they are using now?

 

[hotpointfan]

Logo

Yes, the 2004 one is the current one.

The WM'S were 5kg, the WMA'S were 5.5 & 6kg

Best Wishes

hotpointfan

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

Hotpoint was still partly under GE Ownership in 2004, in 2008 the final share of it was purchased by Indesit Company, which is why they are only just still launching the Hotpoint branding in and fading out the Ariston name.
Since Indesit share was added in 2001, the brand got the New rounded logo, and then when 2004 past another new logo - current one was introduced.
The WM's went from WM11 through to WM83.
Before 1980's Hotpoint made some models, that were also made by Zanussi (I think the began with 8**???) and also made the supermatic twin tub.
The 95 series main production was 1980-1985 - those with the Chrome door and light switch button options, and around 1985 they introduced the 95 series with square buttons. In 1980 they introduced the sale of the Hotpoint agitator top loader, also sold in America, though made in Britain! After 1985 the Chrome door was dropped, as Brown was the "in" colour.
Later 95 series had the new 5KG 50l drum, and wave dial as you call it.
In 1992 WM's started production, they were more simple design, so easy to understand. in 1995 Aquarius wash system was introduced, 1200rpm model was launched (WM31!!) and in 1996 almost all production was of the Aquarius wash system.
In 2001/2002 they entered WMA stage where it remained for several years and saw the end of the 50l drum, and the introduction of a 55l drum.
However Creda still had a WMA style machine through until 2003, however this machine had the new HEC motor, as opposed to the old one, and the Deep rinse option would fill to about 1/2 way up the door, instead of the old super rinse level of bottom of the door.
They still produce the 50l drum for the Hotpoint Service department!

In the USA:
Hotpoint first started here (US), and made its way to Britain very early on. It all started with a catalyst ion being made - hence the term hot point as in the hot point of an iron?
It became one of the UK's most trusted, and most reliable manufacturers, along with Hoover.
In 2008, after the sale was complete, Hotpoint UK dropped the link to the US site on its website.
Hotpoint still exists in America and is owned by GE who have a franchise agreement with Indesit company to use the Hotpoint Name and produce Hotpoint products. Their most popular sellers are the Dishwashers which have a large wash tower and timer dials, and also the classic retro brown colour, and old Logo's.

Hope the information is good enough for you all

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

Another thing I just noticed.
The WM8* machines had a 5.5KG load, though still had the 50l drum, though now I realise they were only in production for a short time, and used the Intensive 2 turn in each direction action on every cycle.

 

[aquarius1984]

corrections for the above post

Just to avoid confusion

95### chrome door New gen machines were 1982 - 1986

Square button 95's came in 1987 not 1985.

Chrome doors ran until 1986

1993 saw in the WM's FWIR - test machines of limited production some badges as 95##'s. Were not widely spread until 1994

Aquarius wash system came in 1991 on 95 series machines.

The toploaders with agitator were 1960s machines not introduced in 1980 as said and they ran with cosmetic changes until 2000.

America disnt have our machines, those were made in america for america and were of different stock but of similar design. Completely different in proportion and size.

Its wrong to say most of production was of aquarius machines as 3 models we usually first editions and wihtout sales figures to verify there is a good chance there was a good split.

WMA machines came in Sepember 2000 and ran until spring 2001 with cometic changes, second batch til 2002 and in 2003 was revised altogether with a different door. 2004 saw the last reincarnations of them and 2005 saw in the WF range.

WM1#/2#/3# machines had a 5kg load although im not sure if some of the WM3#'s were 5kg too
WM4 machines were 5.5kg too.

WM5# machines were 5kg
WM6#/7#/8# machines were 5.5kg

 

[superelectronic]

I hate to be mean but....

...Glenfield, your dates in reply 6 are all over the place. There must surely be a Hotpoint history thread in the Imperial Forum archives?

 

Broad overview time:

 

The 95- series was put into production towards the tail end of 1982. These were a slightly redesigned version of the 18-series machines that had been produced from around 1975 - first as the infamous purple Liberators then moving to tones of chrome and brown from mid 1979 onwards. Drum size was 9lb cotton load.

 

The first major redesign, bar the odd cosmetic and technical tweak, was the the introduction of the 11lb load drum (in brochures this was always quoted as being 45l in capacity - no change even for the later 12lb loaders) in late 1991. The drum redesign also heralded the first of the Aquarius Wash System machines - some were configured with it, some weren't, and basically they just inverted the half-load button to make it automatic load adjustment with the option of a higher level Super Rinse.

 

The 95-series ended some time in 1994; cosmetic changes were made and the model numbers changed to WMs.

 

Around 1995-6 the programmers changed to the hybrid design - this is when the traditional spin profile was amended and out-of balance protection etc was afforded by the more advanced controls.

 

A major cosmetic change was made in late 1997 and that was when the final set of WMs with what you might call the original Hotpoint design were made until around 2000 when the WMA range was launched.

 

Your point about the Zanussi/Hotpoint is right insofar as Hotpoint badged up some Zanussi machines to compliment their lineup around 1976-7; apparently production was hampered by a factory fire.

 

The Hotpoint Top Loading automatic tub-type machine was in production from the mid-1960s, preceding any of their front-loaders. These ran all the way through until 1997-8 (I last saw one in the shops in 1999).

 

No doubt some will have more to add but I hope this clarifies the general pattern.

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

@aquarius1984

The New Aquarius Wash system was introduced in 1995, with first models launching around May, as the 1200rpm model was introduced. From 1991 the Aquarius Logo was invented (This is the start of the Original Aquarius wash system), however they still used the 95 series model numbers, and tumble pattern, but just had the Aquarius 5Kg drum instead which gave the new cleaning action. As SuperElectronic said the 1995 upgrade was to new Timers (Which they referred to as NEW Aquarius Wash System) which adjusted the profile by using slower starts to tumbles, and spin profile differences.
Also the WM3* machines were all 5KG, as were a selection of WM6*, if not all.

 

[aquarius1984]

You didnt say New Aquarius wash system in your original post. You said Aquarius wash system which was as I said introduced in 1991.

As for WM6# series machines nope they were all 5.5kg

I read that brochure way too many times as a 14 year old not to know LOL. It was one of their core features of that range

First edition WM5# machines were 5kg/11lb load you seem to be confusing those with the Aquarius's.

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

Probably were

I just noticed I didn't put New in the original post.

 

[hottieaquarius]

Thanks for the big post Glenfieldmathk1. I know you have a big knowledge on machines and that has given me a good idea of key dates. Obviously I knew before that when the Aqaurius range was introduced, then they started to slowly ramp up into spins rather than launch into them to be easier on the motor. I suppose that means then when the dials were changed from a flat to a wavy design, that was tied in with the Aqaurius name?

 

[hotpoint9534]

The last WM series machines were made later than 2000 weren't they? Certainly the Creda variants overlapped WMA series production. Some WM series machines had the revised Hotpoint logo (not the current one) and a different sounding FHP motor fitted in place of the classic GEC one.

Tom

 

[optima]

Creda plan

Yes your correct the last true GDA washers were that i'm pretty sure of were the last Creda W100fw / W120vw's series. Wow it really makes me feel old.

 

[miele4life]

Here's my series of events.

In 1983, the New Generation of Hotpoints arrived, model numbers started with 95 and had 5 digits in them, the machines didn't change much over it's run.

Then in 1986, the Next Generation models appeared, with the rectangle buttons and programme guide in the centre, the MicroProfile machines also arrived as well as Polar White appearing on some models. The model numbers had 4 digits.

Cosmetic changes occured in 1988 when the "Bow Tie" motif appeared on the control panel bar the MicroTronic and MicroProfile models. The 1st sensor dryers appeared shortly after.

Further cosmetic changes occurred in 1990 when a revised drum design appeared along with a new door design, some models had a mixture of old and new components.

The Aquarius name 1st appeared in 1991, and around 1992, the "Bow Tie" motif dissappeared from the range, making them the last line of 95 series machines.

The 1st WM series machines arrived in 1994, with more cosmetic changes, the First Edition range debuted at the same time with some older design elements.

The range was updated in 1996 and the Ultima name was used for the first time, this was the last lineup to have that style of control panels. The words New Aquarius Wash System appeared on most of the range.

It was all change in February 1997 when the whole lineup was redesigned but was still based on the 70's Liberator design. The Ultima and Aquarius models recieved curvier styling as well as new colours, Natural Linen & Mercury. The First Editions still had the older colour options while the Cassata colours and tumble dryers arrived shortly afterwards.

Some changes took place in 1999 when the Zircon Silver colour scheme appeared on some models but would evantually replace Mercury. At that time, a new top-loading model appeared which was made by Fagor-Brandt of France.

June 2000 saw the arrival of the WMA series machines, Aquarius models came first while the First Edition and Ultima models coming shortly afterwards, the washer dryers continued with the older design along with some budget end WM models. The Oyster colour option appeared on some models but was axed after a couple of years.

The range was revised in 2001 with the Aquarius/Ultima Extra models with a 6KG capacity and Powerstream wash action. Around that time, the last WM series machines were produced.

More changes occured in 2002 when the blue Hotpoint logo appeared as part of another updated WMA range, the washer dryers got similar cosmetic changes while Satin Aluminium appeared on selected models.

The WMA's were updated one more time in 2003, this time renamed Aquarius/Ultima 6KG with Ariston-Style doors.

The WF's arrived in 2004, the 1st developed under Indesit control and featured a new logo. Sandstone and Graphite were new colour options with the former being dropped after a couple of years. The Aquarius+ models debuted with a small time display. Washer dryers and tumble dryers also got the design changes while the Liberator based designs came to an end after 31 years!

WT 7KG models arrived in 2005, along with the slow-selling Extendia models.

2006 saw cosmetic changes to some models and the 1st Aqualtis range arrived, sitting above the Ultima in the lineup.

A new look appeared in 2008 with the First Editions being dropped finishing with some Indesit made models. The Ultimas got a display similar to the top Aqualtis model while black models were offered for the 1st time. Washer dryers and tumble dryers also got the changes while the Aqualtis range was revised and also included washer dryers and tumble dryer as part of the line up.

2009 saw the end of washing machine production in the UK with existing models now being made by Indesit in Italy and Poland. All models recieved the standard Indesit drum as well as a green Eco Tech roundel. The Aqualtis range was updated with a 9KG capacity, new control panel designs and steam options.

The Ultima and Aqualtis ranges were lightly revised in 2010, while drum capacities were upgraded on the tumble dryers.

Then in 2011, the range got a new look with round doors being reinstated. The Satin Aluminium colour option was being phased out while the Aqualtis lineup got more revisions with an 11KG capacity, colour care technology and the Titanium drum.

Early 2012 saw the tumble dryers getting the design changes with washer dryers following up.

So, there you have it, the 30 year history of Hotpoints in a nutshell.

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

Satin Aluminium

Was replaced by Stainless steel on the Ultima range only, the satin aluminium Aquarius+ was not replaced by any colour option.
2012 saw a selection of new machines with 20C wash replacing the Eco cold wash, however it was only placed on a selection of limited edition models, could be something in future (September/October usually when the new ranges are rolled out each year).
Yet to launch are the Condenser dryers with 7 level set & forget drying (other than one limited edition) and also yet to launch is the 5 level set & forget Vented dryers.
Yet to launch are many of the washer dryer designs, again I reckon September/October. Other future machine - I think they will launch a 12KG Aqualtis soon.
Another thing I have seen is an Indesit designer has uploaded a video to youtube showing the future of hotpoint - yes Touch screen washers - see for yourself!

 

[hottieaquarius]

@miele4life

Thanks a lot for that History! I am glad that the building condition of the new Hotpoints is including, even if gradually.