machines considered vintage

[supremewhirlpol]

When are machines considered vintage? Is it when the majority of them get hauled off to scrap? Is it when parts can't be found? Is it when a person says it is a vintage machine? Or is it when it becomes older than dirt? I would like to know your thoughts, please discuss...

 

[classiccaprice]

I'd say when styles change enough to make the 'vintage' model somewhat unique and stand out.

 

[volvoguy87]

Not in production.

I would say that it's when a machine is no longer in production. The Imperial Forum's cutoff is roughly the end of Whirlpool Belt Drive production, but GE Filter Flos and Hotpoint Rim Flos stuck around for another 10 years. SOME Whirlpool Direct Drives are becoming vintage, but the life of that design is in its twilight. The GE and Hotpoint machines are not saught after, so far as I know. Post 1980 Frigidaires are not sought after much, likely because the end of the GM Frigidaire design was so offensive.

Clear as mud?
Dave

 

[bugsyjones]

I really have no idea which machines fall into what category. I, myself, use my own classification system for old appliances and things:

1948-1960 - Antique/Mid-Century
1961-1970 - Retro/Atomic
1971-1980 - Vintage
1981-1990 - 80's Retro
1991-present - No current classification.

 

[lordkenmore]

I think vintage is probably one of those words that is hard--if not impossible--to have a universal definition for.

One could argue any of the following:
-Discontinued major designs (Belt drive Whirlpool vs Direct Drive)
-Styling changes (say, end of avocado era)
-Build quality changes

Another issue is simply one's age. I'm old enough to remember when Sears would have had belt drive washers. So, the last BD machines don't feel as vintage for me as, say, something from 1960. Meanwhile, the youngest AW.org members might feel like the earliest DD machines are vintage.

For me, the easy solution is view vintage as a word that has somewhat of an elastic definition. Although, most of the time here, it seems easiest to just go by the forums--Imperial=Vintage, Deluxe=non-vintage.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Washing machines that I consider vintage would include any machine that is at least 20 years old. Electronic models around that age are certainly vintage. Commercial machines don't change that often. Speed Queen Supermates(Primus, Girbau) and super load II's I consider vintage. Wascomat machines upto Gen4 series are vintage. The single phase units are especially getting harder to find. W series Primus machines parts are very expensive and much harder to find than Wascomat parts in the US. Genuine Ipso machines made before Alliance bought them are vintage. Most parts are easier to find but timers are extremely expensive($800), and some parts have become NLA. GE FF machines are certainly vintage along with early DD machines, considering styles and build quality. BD machines are no question vintage. I have not heard from anyone outside the US.

For those of you in the UK and other places, I would like to hear from you as well. Oh, if those of you who are outside the US could include pictures of machines that you think are vintage, that would be great too.

 

[chaskelljr2]

My Definition Of "Vintage"????

I would say that a Clothes Washer will meet the classification of vintage when it has these following characteristics...

(01). When a mechanical design is no longer in production (and for example, that would mean something like for instance, any Frigidaire that was manufactured between 1947 and 1979, a Maytag that was manufactured before 1986, a Whirlpool/Kenmore Belt-Drive that was made between 1948 and 1987, or other brands that were in production back during that era, but are no longer in production..... and that would be your Philcos, Easys, Kelvinators, etc....).

(02). When a machine was produced in a color that is no longer in fashion (examples.... Tawny Gold, Coppertone, Avacodo).

(03). When the styles of machines has changed so much that a much older model now stands out and is considered unique in the company of much newer and current models.

If I were starting a collection right now, the machines I would go for would be:

-- a wringer design from ANY manufacturer

-- a "twin-tub" design (like a Hoover)

-- an early "impeller" design (like a GE, Hitachi or a Toshiba)

-- a unique automatic design like a Philco Automagic Washer or a Frigidaire Jet-Cone Washer (though I think that Frigidaires from the 1970's are a little more common than I think say, a Frigidaire from the 1950's or the 1960's.... having said that, I would probably seek out a Frigidaire Rollermatic before I seek out a 1-18) and an early front loader like from the likes of Bendix or a Westinghouse Laundromat

-- and a Kenmore Belt-Drive manufactured between 1957 and 1975.

-- and to have something newer or later than all of the above.... then I would get me a Kenmore Direct-Drive that is manufactured between 1986 and 1993

Those would be my definition of how vintage a Clothes Washer can be.

--Charles--

 

[58limited]

I tend to classify things using the same standard used for cars (which can vary person to person as well):

Many car clubs, and state vehicle registration offices, consider cars to be classic or vintage when over 25 years old (The Texas DMV also uses the term "antique" at this point). In car clubs I'm a member of, the definition of antique can be either a car that is 50+ years old or the cut-off is WWII, pre-war being antique.

Also, like many of you, I use styling changes to classify antiques: chrome trim, art deco or atomic styling, etc.

 

[panthera]

It may be my age or living in a city 854 years old

all these years, but to me:
Pre-WWII: Antique
Post-WWII - Pre_1970: Vintage
Post-1970 - Pre1990: Old
Post 1990 - Current: So poorly made, who cares - it won't be around long enough to redo the above list.

Sometimes (seldom) manufacturers learn from their mistakes. Whirlpool now builds KA mixers with metal transmissions again. Their little foray into selling plastic transmissions instead of well cut metal gears went over badly, both with their customers and with their costs-for-repairs-under-warranty department. But that's just about the only exception I can think of, off-hand.