Keymatic in Penarth, Cardiff

[matchboxpaul]

Been trawling today and discovered an ad for a 'Keymatic de luxe' in Penarth, Cardiff.

Unfortunately it was posted back on the 2nd July, so sods law will dictate that it has either been consigned to history or has vanished under the radar forever:

Being billed as a 'de luxe' model means its either:

3203/3203H or 3223H - widebody machines
3243H or A3050 - matchbox machines
or
A3008 - same as Mike King's machine that can be viewed on Youtube.
(I am pretty sure that the A3062 model was just 'Keymatic 1100').

If anyone investigated, do let on as to what it is.
All the best
Paul

http://cardiff.gumtree.com/cardiff/04/11170504.html

 

[matchboxpaul]

have done a bit more trawling in old 'Which' magazines.
The machine advertised has 16 programmes.

Which November 1969 describes the 3223H as having 13 programmes.
Which Nevember 1974 describes the 3243H as having 16!

So, by the looks of things it is/was not a widebody machine, but either a matchbox or later.

 

[74simon]

It could be a widebody!

I went through the archives here, and Mike had posted a 3223H brochure that mentions 16 programmes. Maybe Which didn't include prewash, spin only and, er, another one.

I've emailed the seller to see if it is still available, and to ask the model number. I hope to god that it ain't a 3243H as I *really* fancy one of those!

 

[matchboxpaul]

Hi Simon

Real good luck and here's hoping that it is still available.

Re the programme number - I' m being a muppet!

2 keycards, each with 2 sides, each with 4 edges = 16 programmes. D'oh.

I am hoping its either the 3243H or A3050 as it would be a matchbox and, apart from a tragic instance a few months ago, no one has seen hide nor hair of any matchbox washing machines in a long time!

fingers and toes crossed.
Paul

 

[74simon]

It's a 3203!

But the seller has decided not to sell it for now. However, they say it may go back up for sale in a couple of months - I'll let everyone here know if they do!

 

[maytagbear]

Translation, please!

"Matchbox"?

Does that mean the square machine, or does that mean the slanted front one?

Thank you.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[chestermikeuk]

Matchbox....Hoover..Who Better!!!!

Just had the same email Simon, I wonder how many offers he had?? ...LOl

Laurence, good question, the first Hoover Keymatics where the sloping fronts, the next series where normal flat front but 27inches wide, Big Berthas indeed and still only washed the same 9lb load as the small Bendixxiii...the 1970`s saw a revamp and the PR was "Matchbox Size" compact & bijou etc...

Heres a pic, this is the one we are still crying about having been skipped a few weeks ago....

 

[matchboxpaul]

Beat me to it Mike

Have just dug out my Keymatic montage....

1st model = 3224 (1959) slanted
2nd = 3226 (1964) slanted
3rd = 3203 (1968) widebody
4th = 3203H (1968-69) widebody
5th = 3223H (1969-70) widebody
6th = 3243H (1971) matchbox
6.5th = A3050 electricity board special
(mid to late 1970's) matchbox
7th = A3008 (1975)
8th = A3062 (1977)
9th = A3112 (1979)

Great ad for the 3243H - still pains me to think of it!

Cheers
Paul

 

[matchboxpaul]

p.s Mike

have you a similar advert for the 3236H and 3235 (especially the latter model)?

Attached is a recent advert purchase of mine for the widebody 3223H keymatic - as soon as I acquire a scanner I'll pop a nicer copy on here.

cheers
Paul

 

[matchboxpaul]

and briefly changing subject.....

...anyone hear anything of that Servis Mk72 Compact?

 

[74simon]

where's the thread for the 3243H?

I must have missed that! That's so sad, as I have to say that I think the 3243H is the most handsome of the Keymatics. The console kinda has echoes of the slope front machines, dont'cha think? Those big lights and the largish Hoover logo are nice too. That ad is now my desktop wallpaper!

Digressing a little, I noticed some sites selling Keymatic door gaskets - no model numbers are mentioned, but logic suggests they may be slope fronters, as that was the only style that was exclusively KM. anyone bought one?

http://sparecentre.com/sc.nsf/1/qualtex-dbt27

 

[maytagbear]

Thank you all!

Thank you for posting those ad scans, Mike and Paul.

Were the later Keymatics as complex mechanically as the earlier ones?

Right now, the Keymatic series is my favourite British washer range.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Keymatics

Hi Laurence, the first sloping front Keymatics where a nightmare to work on with all those hoses, bearings and wires etc..the later models, 3203, 3223, the 27inch wide bodied machines had a very ingenious deep top which hinged up and all the timer & wiring gubbins was in there, great for the repairman to work on...as they improved with the third series, matchbox & current, they did get a lot more reliable, although Which Consumer Reports always gave them less points than a conventional timer machine....heres the inside of the A3008 which had a vitreous enamel drum, parts readily available and simple to work on...

 

[maytagbear]

Fascinating!

Thank you, Mike, for a look into a very interesting machine!

Lawrence/Maytagbear