Missing Westy

[mcmodern]

Since regularly visiting, I've seen FL Westinghouse washers from the earliest Laundromat style up to some of the last Blight-Westinghouse built with the exception of a line I remember from the early sixties. I believe they are the original flat-front stackables and were made for several years. Both washer and dryer had matching side-opening doors and a small push-button latch. The doors weren't flush, but closed against the cabinet as the Laundromats did.

Oh, how I remember going down the escalator at Fedway department store in Amarillo and seeing all those washers and dryers lined up...yellow, pink, turquoise, white. Mom and Dad always let me look, too! Seems like some were made with top-mounted controls as well as front for stacking. I was so fascinated with the Westys I don't even recall what other brands they sold!

Is anyone familiar with these or even have one or two? I know they aren't as popular for collectors as the slant-front machines, but would love to find out more about 'em.

Thanks,
Kelly

 

[alr2903]

kelly

Sent you one i had saved from Pic of day here alr2903

 

[gadgetgary]

Kelly,

Isn't that the machine in the picture of the day sometimes with Pearl Bailey???

 

[mcmodern]

Well, almost...

Ross, thanks for sending the pictures of your incredible Westys. Gary, the ad I remember with Pearl Baily was a much later machine. Still missing: the original stackables. I googled all over to find a photo to post, but no avail. I don't think I was making this up as an aunt had a dryer from the same vintage sometime later. (Next to a ring-driven Easy...oh how I wish I had some of my relative's old washers and dryers!)

Still searching, anyone else speak up!
Kelly

 

[golittlesport]

Original Westy Spacemates

Are these the machines you are thinking about?

 

[gyrafoam]

Kool Rustinghouse ad. Kim Duomatic up in Michigan has that exact stacked pair in that vintage pank.
OMG are they heavy!

 

[alr2903]

golittlesport

That ad is nicer than the one I saved. These were on the last dvd, with the wizard IIRC.

 

[mcmodern]

Space-mates, huh?

Yeah, that's it. I didn't know they went back so far. My first recollection couldn't have been any earlier than 1960, but if these were the only US made stack /undercounter models, they were probably around for several years. I think they were replaced about mid-sixties by the ones with the flush-mount door, oval window and 'turn to open' chrome handle.

Given that many houses back then had only space for a washer, I can see these potentially being very popular - and kept as long as they lasted since they couln't be replaced by anything else without remodelling. Still, one wonders about their rareity today. Thank goodness my #1 favorite Frigidaires are kept alive and running and enjoy widespread popularity among washer heads like us! Thanks for all the feedback.
Kelly

 

[mcmodern]

what was I thinking?

I was so happy to find out about the space-mates, I completely forgot what many people used where there was no room for a dryer...combos!!! Unless short on width, that was another alternative and probably a cheaper one.

BTW - cool idea in the ad, both washer and dryer at eye-level, like built-in ovens. I think I'd want the washer on the floor, though...

 

[rp2813]

In the early 60's a family in my neighborhood had a new pair similar to the subject stackables. They were turquoise and I remember them being the only pair like it I had ever seen. They had a family of 8 kids. I loved watching those machines in action.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Isn't that somewhat

UnMCModern ?

"I think I'd want the washer on the floor, though..."

 

[jeb]

westinghouse space mate set

I have the set you are talking about. I use them regularly. The capacity is very small- I can't imagine doing a large family wash in them, as it would take forever. Two pair of pants and two sweatshirts make a large load.

 

[mcmodern]

Many thanks . . .

for the replies. I'd still like to find out more about these and why they're so rarely seen today. Seems like they were all over the place in the 'old days', and I still think they were very innovative and beautiful machines. They're really what started my interest in front-loaders, those and Whirlpool / Kenmore combos.

Kelly