Mystery General Electric Washing Machine

[nonagesimal]

Dear All,

Can anyone identify what year this machine was made? It is a General Electric washing machine heavy duty-( I don't think there's a fabric softener dispenser?)

I tried to copy model and serial numbers;

Model Number: WWA5412PALWH
Serial Number: MV901140G (I think that's what it says)

I saw it for sale at a garage sale here in Ireland and I am wondering how old it is- I couldn't really get close up as owner has it boxed up partially before he sells it.

Any help?

Please and thank you.

Malachy

 

[pulltostart]

Malachy

That washer was manufactured in July 1975.  Looks like it's in very good condition!

 

lawrence

 

[turquoisedude]

Wow!  It was definitely made for the European market.   What a great find!!

 

[gansky1]

Lovely find

It looks never used!

 

[seeitrun2006]

GE washer

This washer replaced a Westinghouse 1968 TL weight-to-save washer at a Dairy Queen I worked at in 1975 fresh out of high school. It was a standard capacity BOL GE washer but washed dirty dish cloths and towels very well. All though this machine was not cut out for that type of wear and tear. There was two problems they always had with it. It got off balanced a lot and would walk across the floor because the front legs were not locked into place. They would un-screw and work themselves all the way out. The second was dish cloths was forever going over the top of the tub and getting caught in the drain pump. People would throw stuff in the machine before the tub completely stopped and over the top it went. It was a nice little washer but was intended for low usage.

 

[yogitunes]

this will forever puzzle me on how clothing gets thrown over top and end up in the outter tub area.....especially on a machine with a clothes guard...

I have seen machines broken because of it, but have never experienced it myself with these machines....or any machine for that fact.......

same as these machines with the two speed clutch, and that pin getting knocked off....by design, it should not happen....

only time I had it happen, was as the little leg swung around to make contact, it knocked that pin off the top of the solenoid....

how this stuff happens, the world will never know!

 

[nonagesimal]

Thank You!

Wow July 1975? I wasn't even born lol.

It's a lovely machine - looks very well built and nice features.

Interesting facts guys. Thanks.

 

[rapunzel]

How much are they asking for it?

 

[foraloysius]

Another GE in Europe. Was GE perhaps for a while the only American brand that made 220V washers?

 

[rapunzel]

I've seen Kenmore washers and dryers being sold at Harrods during the 1980s.

 

[foraloysius]

Yes, in the 80's. I was thinking earlier.

In the 80's I saw a set of Whirlpools in Brussels.

 

[chestermikeuk]

washers

We had Whirlpool and Speed Queen along with McClary Easy, never saw Kenmore I thought they where Sears own brand by Whirlpool ?

Also had the Whirlpool / Kenmore / Canadian sourced compact made for Servis as their final and transition top loader.

 

[foraloysius]

Thanks Mike, it was just a thought.

 

[chestermikeuk]

GE

Hi Malachy, that's one fine classic washer for your collection, hope you managed to bag it !!

 

[liberator1509]

GE Fliter-flo washers in Ireland

Hi all

I saw this too - rather expensive at E2500, even if it is new-in-box. The GE Filter-flo washer and dryer pair was incredibly popular in Ireland in the 1970s and 80s, and even 90s until that series was discontinued. The electricity supply board (ESB over here) retail outlets didn't stock Hotpoint during this period, and this was the alternative offer. Prior to the 70s, the ESB sold AEI Gala machines, and the Automatic 1500 and 1502 were widely sold here. I recall my Mum considering the GE option when her Gala 1502 died, though she decided it wasn't suitable as of course it isn't self-heating, so instead she took on the three-week wait for a 15690 from an independent. I can only presume the to-ing and fro-ing between the ESB was due to the importer changes associated with the AEI to GEC UK Hotpoint ownership change. Oddly enough, Hotpoint ended up distributing and servicing the GE line in Ireland in the latter years.

The ESB stopped supply GE washers when they started selling Hotpoint again in the mid-1980s, with GEs then found in independents! They were fine robust machines, popular with people who needed a big fast washer, and were found in countless touring caravan parks, guesthouses etc. A real shame they stopped making them!

 

[Chetlaham]

Nice find!

How much is the asking price? Id get it, in the least hope another member gets it.

 

[nonagesimal]

Hi again

Hi All,

Sorry for not replying , have been busy at work.
Yes it's for sale in Dublin , Ireland. It's quite expensive - over 2000 euros.

But by golly it's a beaut of a machine.

Malachy

 

[rapunzel]

I reckon they're gonna be sitting on that one for some time. 2000 Euros is somewhat optimistic. However, I'd leave them my contact details for when they are serious about selling that machine.