ovrphil
Well-known member
No matter! I would take this in an instant...have not come across one before.
is this RARE? Frigidaire Portable dishwasher - $75 (United States)
- Thread starter ovrphil
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There is one in the Beltsville museum, although not TOL like this one.
Phil they are definitely rare now. Wards also carried this top load machine in the 1970's labeled "Signature". The top angled lower in the front made it easier to load for most people. Yet it could still be used in a small kitchen.
ovrphil
Well-known member
Tom and "air" - thank you! (I just thought so) I worked at Montgomery Wards, but that was before the 1970s(1967-68).
We had the subterranean 1970 Signature version of this machine as our first dishwasher growing up. As I recall, it was a one-only loss leader item at the long gone rickety old Ward's store downtown that they didn't want to sell, but my dad insisted they sell it to him for the advertised price, which I think was a whopping $88.
Basically one cycle unless you wanted to advance the exposed timer dial pointer on the front of the machine to rinse only or dry/plate warm. Same on/off/push-to-open knob as the machine shown above, but it did not have the upper rack that moved up and out of the way with the lid. There was no detergent dispenser. Just a perforated false bottom in one of the utensil basket compartments. It was commonplace to find flecks of undissolved detergent on glassware.
It was a Signature, so it goes without saying that it was far louder than the average dishwasher.
I suppose machines like this have a place in a museum -- strictly as a curiosity.
This picture is the closest resemblance I've found, but even the Frigidaire machine pictured is more deluxe than was the lowly Signature.
Basically one cycle unless you wanted to advance the exposed timer dial pointer on the front of the machine to rinse only or dry/plate warm. Same on/off/push-to-open knob as the machine shown above, but it did not have the upper rack that moved up and out of the way with the lid. There was no detergent dispenser. Just a perforated false bottom in one of the utensil basket compartments. It was commonplace to find flecks of undissolved detergent on glassware.
It was a Signature, so it goes without saying that it was far louder than the average dishwasher.
I suppose machines like this have a place in a museum -- strictly as a curiosity.
This picture is the closest resemblance I've found, but even the Frigidaire machine pictured is more deluxe than was the lowly Signature.
philr
Well-known member
I have the Imperial version from 1970 (which is, according to my books, the only version that was sold in Canada, DW-ITR).
It's the first time I see the Custom Imperial.
Mine lacks the rapid advance timer, the handle at the front, the air blower, the auxiliary spray arm and the blue handle for the silverware basket.
www.automaticwasher.org
It's the first time I see the Custom Imperial.
Mine lacks the rapid advance timer, the handle at the front, the air blower, the auxiliary spray arm and the blue handle for the silverware basket.
Today Paul found something for me!
Paul emailed me today and he said he found something he wanted to buy me as a gift (and it's not even close to my birthday!). Guess what it is?! Here's a picture that should help some guessing! ;-)
www.automaticwasher.org
laundromat
Well-known member
Looks like either Imperial or Custom Imperial. Either way., the Super Surge washing action ,one of the loudest,does a great job. If I didn't have to pay for import, just shipping costs like in the mainland, I'd buy.it. It was one of my favorite dishwashers of that era. Following closely second to Maytag. I hope someone here grabs it fast. Great selling price.
philr
Well-known member
It's a Custom Imperial. Tthe Imperial (like the one I have) lacks the rapid advance timer.
I have to get ready for work, but could someone save a larger version of the photo of the control panel? This is such a rare beast.
ovrphil
Well-known member
Panel photo
is this big enough, Bob?
is this big enough, Bob?
twintubdexter
Well-known member
Ralph,
As a child, I remember that Montgomery Wards store in downtown San Jose. It had hardwood floors that made noise when walked on and hanging schoolhouse-style lights. As I recall it smelled musty in there too. No wonder the fancy schmancy Sears on West San Carlos Street that had glitter in the sidewalks was such a big hit when it opened.
As a child, I remember that Montgomery Wards store in downtown San Jose. It had hardwood floors that made noise when walked on and hanging schoolhouse-style lights. As I recall it smelled musty in there too. No wonder the fancy schmancy Sears on West San Carlos Street that had glitter in the sidewalks was such a big hit when it opened.
Joe, you nailed it about the atmosphere in the downtown Ward's. My dad would regularly bitch about having to drive up the Nasty Nimitz to San Leandro or Oakland for a "real" Ward's. The easy solution would have been to head to the modern Sears instead. It was virtually within walking distance, and had infinitely higher quality merchandise than Ward's.
So sad that the Sears store bit the dust. That parking lot was so huge, it seemed like it could hold 13,000 cars! Now a Safeway, a McDonalds, and a slew of apartments and condos sit there instead.
To use a conflicted term, my masochistic parents were both Ward's die-hards, and as a result I developed an incurable case of Post-Traumatic-Signature-Disorder.
So sad that the Sears store bit the dust. That parking lot was so huge, it seemed like it could hold 13,000 cars! Now a Safeway, a McDonalds, and a slew of apartments and condos sit there instead.
To use a conflicted term, my masochistic parents were both Ward's die-hards, and as a result I developed an incurable case of Post-Traumatic-Signature-Disorder.
Phil, yes, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! Now saved for history.
