My First "Amethyst" Addition

[supermaticjames]

Evening all, well today was a hectic day!

I woke up to an email this morning from a man offering me his "Hotpoint Liberator" that had been recently retired after it refused to turn on (hopefully it's just a failed interlock or something simple like that). After reading the message back to myself twice I responded by asking for a few pictures if that was possible.

Throughout the day my mind was going around in circles wondering what model it would be and where this man was from etc. Eventually the pictures came through and I was initially a little disappointed but alas it's a step closer to my dream. Being an hour away made me cave in and my uncle collected the machine this evening as he was going to be in Bushmills anyway.

I will get to see it in person on Wednesday morning so without further ado I introduce the Hotpoint (Zanussi) Liberator 1826.

James

 

[electron1100]

Lucky Stars

James gobsmacked matey, yet another rare and beautiful machine (it must be the air in Ireland) well done you will be able to open a museum in Ireland soon joining up with the two museums over here.
No problems for you, being able to repair and service these machines.
Gary

 

[supermaticjames]

Hi Gary,

So far this year, I've been quite lucky and I'm very thankful for that! The local adverts are really starting to pay off which really restores my confidence in the area.

The initial disappointment is starting to wear off I think, to be honest the events of yesterday haven't really sunk in yet. Although it's only a Hotpoint Liberator in name and in looks, it's most definitely a step in the right direction and I'm staying positive that a true Hotpoint Liberator is out there somewhere in Ireland just waiting to be discovered.

Early rise tomorrow morning to see it in person for the first time and find out what's wrong. Fingers crossed it's just the fuse or a failed interlock.

James

 

[electron1100]

adverts

Hello James
Yes indeed adverts do work, I got two of my Keymatics from wanted ads plus a few other beauties
I hope the trial run goes well tomorrow
Gary

 

[supermaticjames]

Hi Gary,

Who knows what's around the corner for me then!

I saw the machine in person a couple of hours ago and tried turning it on etc. It turns on despite the previous owner saying it didn't so that's one less thing to worry about. The bearings are good thankfully but the motor bearings roar so I will try some oil in them first. The door seal needs changing which is n surprise really but I will have a struggle finding the following bits though! It needs a new dial and a new door bowl as both have cracked and crazed!

The date code is 83 so it's from November 1976 like Paul & Rob's one! I'm actually quite pleased even if it's not quite what I wanted.

James

 

[matchboxpaul]

Congrats James!

Seems that you are going through a similar Liberator acquisition process as myself, as my first wet Liberator was a 1826.
I remember finding the e-mail in my inbox - it was on the same day when the abandoned Hoover collection photos were posted, all those years ago.

Initially you think 'oh my god! A 1828! A 1848!!!! OMG, OMG' .... then you see that its a Zanny clone 1826 and you are like '(perplexed) ohhhhhhh'.
For some reason, in the quest for a Liberator, you forget the 1823 and 1826 existed and it comes as a shock that 'oh, its one of those'.

My 1826 was gifted from a gent in Barnsley, who was very pleased that it was entering the world of preservation and not destruction and I was very grateful to take it on....

 

[matchboxpaul]

Am sure you will set to work with waving the magic wand over it James and soon it will be a stunner again.

I know you are a dab hand at taking machines apart, sooooo .....

>> under the powder drawer, I am sure I can detect faint brown streaks against the white finish of the machines bodyshell front panel.
Get that fascia whipped off, clean and rust treat the top edge of the main front panel, as those brown streaks are rust rising through the paintwork and it will be emanating from that top edge.
This area is a weakness on all Zanussi DL-series and S-series machines, where moisture from the powder drawer collects and causes rust to develop.

My machine had this same issue, but I could never fathom an easy way of getting to the affected area and now the rust has 'flowered', so its now a full tidy up rather than prevention :-(

 

[matchboxpaul]

When you have the fascia removed, you can hammer back flat that area to the right hand side of the economy load button. Wtf has someone been doing there then?

Dial wise - tap that programme disk back to shape and get rid of that crease - again, wtf has someone been doing there then?
The plastic cover over the programme disk - chuck it and fashion a new one out of acetate or a suitable thickness clear plastic sheet.
The dial hand grab has obviously suffered from major sun bleaching over the years - I am sure that I have more than one of those as a spare part and, if I have more than one, you are welcome to it.
Not currently in a position to go check the spare parts stash but, as soon as the house stops being a building site and I can get back into the garage, I will have a look and try find them.
Finally dial wise - when I am able to get to my machine, I will photograph the dial centre disk cover for you and you can then create your own 'H' centre ....

 

[matchboxpaul]

James, though there might be a tinge of 'but its not a GEC', you will quickly grow fond of your new old 1826. Weighs a ton, susceptible to rust, clunky and slow, but ohhhh so characterful

 

[matchboxpaul]

Plus, having found a 1826, a couple of years after one of its cousins turned up

Paul

 

[matchboxpaul]

Nearly forgot ....

With the door bowl being a darker colour, you have more freedom with just applying a clear sealant over those crazes.

Have fun!
Paul
p.s your machine has an original door release! Jealous!!!!

 

[triumphtoledo]

Congratulations James from a fellow non-1800S Liberator owner! I wish my Mum had not junked her 1848 in the early 1999s. I'd be rich considering the demand for them now! What is it about them? R

 

[matchboxpaul]

Ahhhh 1848

One was scrapped in Sheffield about 5 months ago :-(
Gutted.

Paul

 

[triumphtoledo]

Scrapped 1848

Blimey. How did you know that? My Mum's machine had the same fascia but I remember it also had a clear door, oddly.

 

[matchboxpaul]

Scrapped 1848

Its instruction manual was on ebay and I messaged the seller to enquire about the machine itself. hoping that it was dumped 'round the back' waiting to be got rid of.

However it was gone unfortunately :-(

Paul

 

[supermaticjames]

Afternoon all,

I haven't been on here as regularly as I could recently but here's an update on the 1826.

I've done very little with it to be honest what with the arrival of the 1509/05 and the rebuild of the Hoover Keymatic 3224 amongst other "smaller" arrivals. I did manage to sort the issue with the timer knob mechanism that had been slipping on the shaft of the timer and I gave the fascia and dispenser a good clean.

Other than that it has been sitting quietly in the wooden house and I've decided to pass it on to a good home where it will be in good company. I know - it feels weird to say I'm giving up a Liberator but this is one that I have no sentimental attachment to and I'm going to remain positive that some day a "true" Liberator will turn up with my name on it.

Thanks as ever, go to Paul for posting those lovely shots. I will point the new owner to this thread so that they can enjoy them as much as I have.

Kind regards,

James