My First Dishwasher! 1965 Frigidaire Custom Imperial Dishmobile

[1952crestwood]

Hi to all,

Well after MUCH hassle and aggravation, I finally got my first vintage dishwasher home! I will let the pics speak for themselves, but I couldn't be happier with it. I haven't tried to hook it up or run it yet, but I wanted to get some shots into the forum. I found a date stamped on something underneath that says July 23, 1965. Since I have to keep it in an unheated garage but would like to hook it up and test it during the warm spell we are having here in VA, is there a way to make sure all the water is drained out to avoid damage from any freezing temps to come? I also don't have access to hot water in the garage, so hopefully running it with just cold water won't make any difference since it's just a test run. I'd like to see if it cleans out the little bit of old rinse aid that ran down the door and the white residue on the washer arm. The guy I bought it from said that it works but it's been quite a few years since his late Mom had used it, so I am going to keep my fingers crossed. Things look pretty nice with the wiring and motor so I will hope for the best.

 

[1952crestwood]

I'm no expert but the underside and "workings" seem in good shape.

 

[1952crestwood]

Racks appear to be in good shape as well. No chips or rust that I've seen.

 

[1952crestwood]

I'm gonna enjoy using this!

 

[1952crestwood]

Feed meeeeeeee!

 

[1952crestwood]

Buttons all ready for the pushing.

 

[1952crestwood]

Hopefully this won't leak.

 

[1952crestwood]

I figure some purists might fuss me a little but if I don't try to install this under my counter (as I would like to) I will at the very least be changing out the butcher block top for a boomerang patterned Formica top with stainless steel edging to match the counter tops and use it as an island for more workspace when not in use.

 

[1952crestwood]

Since my family and I have several 1955 Oldsmobile cars, I though it was cool how this was made by GM and is a "Dishmobile".

 

[1952crestwood]

Might not be the mid-50's Hotpoint I have always wanted but the color is right and it seems like it is more "optioned" than the old Hotpoints were.

 

[aldspinboy]

Congratulations!!! what a beautiful streamline Frigidare dishwasher in a nice color.
I hope everything works out for you.
Happy washing.

Darren k.

 

[appnut]

Robyn, congratulations!! Beautiful color. This is the first year, I do believe, of the SuperSurge Frigidaire dishwashers. With the P'n'P cycle, it actually might clean quite well--I used a few of these that weren't the Custom Imperial. It's in beautiful shape. And you'll find it holds more than a ton of stuff if loaded the correct way, ha ha ha. These were one of my all-time favorite dishwashers for capacity and flexibility, far better than KitchenAids of the same period. I think you'll enjoy this more than the Hotpoint you were seeking. And who knows, the dishwasher gods may still smile down on you for that. Ya done GOOD!!!

 

[mikepaquette]

WOW

Beautiful dishmobile. Congratulations. Michael

 

[turquoisedude]

A prize dishwasher to be sure!!

Wow, Robyn, that is just GAWGEOUS!! I bet it will run like it did the first day it was delivered!! The cabinet looks wonderful and what a great colour... LOL
Congratulations and have fun with this beauty!!

 

[alanlendaro]

we had a top loader Frigidaire dishwasher from around that e

It had a round knob in the center of the control panel that you pushed and turned to release the butcher block top. If I recall correctly the butcherblock covering was on the top and then slanted down to the control panel. It also had electronic (?) controls similar to those, with a cancel button. It used to make the coolest sounds if you pressed the cancel button. Dad had converted it from a portable to a freestanding permanent hookup - we had it until 1972 or 1973 when we remodeled the kitchen and got a TOL Roper in harvest gold. We had given it to a friend who never installed it and it sat in their garage for years. Not sure whatever happened to it. would love to know more about it and perhaps see a pic of one.

 

[alanlendaro]

one more detail

It also had lights above the buttons that lit to show the cycle progress.

 

[1952crestwood]

I'm just loving this

These replies are great. Thanks to everyone for your compliments. This is sure a red letter day for me.......well ok, a turquoise letter day. The more I am reading here, the better I am feeling about this purchase.

Any thoughts about my testing it, and being able to remove all the water before a freeze sets in?

Also there is something I noticed. I was looking for ways to get that butcher block top off and all I could find are two screws under the front edge of it with the door open. No visible screws in the back or the sides. Is it something where you take out the front screws and the back had some kind of "tabs" that hold it down?

 

[easyspindry]

In the event of freezing weather . . .

. . . Get yourself a gallon of antifreeze for campers. It's digestable in the event any is ingested. Pour this into the tub and let the motor run enough to get it pumped into all the pipes and washer arms.

We use the antifreeze in our camper and have never had a problem with freezing or with ingesting any of the antifreeze. It's pink in color and can be bought in many different places including Walmart and camping stores.

That's a great machine. I had an aunt that had that model built in and it ran for many years.

Jerry Gay

 

[toploader55]

What a Great Find.

Congratulations.

Fantastic Machine. I wish you great luck and many BobLoads. Eddie

 

[gadgetgary]

Awesome Dishwasher

I remember seeing this machine in a neighbor's kitchen. The panel was coppertone and it was a built-in model. I used to love when I was there and the dishwasher would be turned on.

Thanks for the pics and a trip down memory lane.

 

[swestoyz]

Nice Frigidaire! I personally like the full length butcher-block top with the Dishmobile handle coming up out of the back all nonchalant-like. It's a push button too!

Give it a good rub with some butcher-block top oil and let the jury out to vote once the snow flies. Who knows you may just like it.

Great color, and your are lucky the tub hasn't rusted yet! Just ask Nate - he knows all about everyone's favorite Plastisol.

 

[1952crestwood]

Oh Jerry, that's a great idea about the RV anti-freeze. Thanks I will grab some soon and give it a try. Yes, I am thrilled that this is in the shape it is, and will sure do all I can to keep it that way. Even when I get a house again, and have it in a kitchen, it probably won't get daily use anyway because I use vintage Melmac dinnerware and prefer to hand wash it to keep the luster. This will probably serve as a drain rack for the clean dishes most of the time, but when I would have a party or big family dinner all that rack-room is going to come in handy when I load it up to do it's thing......automatically of course. Thanks to Steve who wrote and gave me some great input on this model too! I knnnnneeeeewwwwwwww I was in with a great bunch on this site!

 

[tlee618]

What a beautiful find!! Congratulations. Way to pretty to just put in storage!!

 

[a440]

So nice!

What a great find! It is in fantastic shape! Looks like it has not seen much use!
I had this same model in white many many years ago in a apartment that I rented in the French Quarter in New Orleans. It was old even then. (about 1984)It was a very good dishwasher. I loved the sounds and can remember them quite well. I don't know if it was the bottom wash arm or the tower sprayer, but I found that there was a distinct beat to the wash.
Thanks for the pictures. Can't wait to hear about your first wash!
Brent

 

[qsd-dan]

Wow, they don't come in any better condition than that, especially in turquoise!!

 

[tomturbomatic]

Protect the fill valve. Energize the machine for a minute or so to let the valve open so that any water remaining inside will dribble out. Be careful if you use this as a drying rack for hand washed dishes. If you do not bake the moisture out of the machine, you can have rust appearing under the Plastisol from the tiniest imperfections.

Keep in mind that if you want to install it you will need to be able to do the plumbing and electrical connections through the floor if you do not want to have to cut a hole through the cabinet of the machine. I did that with my KDS-58 and preserved the cabinet for use when she became portable again.

 

[mixfinder]

My First

I had this machine in coppertone. Bought it from the people who ran the liquor store when they replaced it with a Kitchenaid in a Kitchen re-hab. I used to show off in front of company by throwing the crustiest pans and dishes in and pull them out sparkling clean.

 

[autowasherfreak]

Very nice!

 

[laundromat]

Super Surge Custom Imperial with 7 bladed stainless steel Pu

That is a great dishwasher! I found one decades ago at a thrift store for $10!I used it until my cousin's dishwasher took a crap. They still have it and are getting ready to rev it up for TG.

 

[kakidd]

Samantha Stephens DW??

Reminds me of the built-in DW she had before before the kitchen was remodeled with Maytag's in the later years. Always loved the all Frigidaire kitchen including the w/d on that show. Remember the episode where her Frigidaire dishwasher went haywire and she was mopping up water off the floor??