Folks---lots of references to CLAMSHELL tops and CLAMSHELL front loaders, what does CLAMSHELL mean in this usage?
Thanks
MArk
Thanks
MArk
Please explain "Clamshell"
- Thread starter akronman
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I am by no means an expert, but I believe the 'clamshell' top refers to the design of the control panels on the Imperial and Custom Imperial line of Frigidaire washers and dryers in the early 1960s. I don't have a picture to illustrate, but the panel was such that it looked like a partially opened clam shell like this: < The upper part, I believe was lighted and the lower part had the actual control panel dials.
Hope this helps!!
Hope this helps!!
bobofhollywood
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2006
- Messages
- 457
hinged
I never owned one but have seen some and true clam shell control panels are actually hinged and close downwards to completely conceal the controls.
I never owned one but have seen some and true clam shell control panels are actually hinged and close downwards to completely conceal the controls.
The '61 Custom Imperial Frigidaire washer/dryers were the only models to actually fold down - thus the clamshell nickname. The backside of the panel also had difused plastic which would allow light to pass through in the down position.
The rest of the '61 model line, as well as the full 1962 and 1963 line were fixed. I can't even begin to imagine the tooling costs for just the 1961 CI models. Amazing the stuff GM got away with back then. IMO, the 61-63 panels are some of the beautiful to come from the Frigidaire design center.
I've never heard of clamshell being applied to another machine. Do you have exmaples of it being discussed elsewhere?
Ben
The rest of the '61 model line, as well as the full 1962 and 1963 line were fixed. I can't even begin to imagine the tooling costs for just the 1961 CI models. Amazing the stuff GM got away with back then. IMO, the 61-63 panels are some of the beautiful to come from the Frigidaire design center.
I've never heard of clamshell being applied to another machine. Do you have exmaples of it being discussed elsewhere?
Ben
clamshel explanation
Thank you all, and the pics help. Now I know what it means, and it makes sense. A picture is worth a thousand words....
Thank you all, and the pics help. Now I know what it means, and it makes sense. A picture is worth a thousand words....
Is that your Frigidaire, Dan? It's beautiful!
Hans Hansen has a fold-down clamshell Frigidaire in his collection. Took me a couple of minutes to realize what it was.
mickeyd
Well-known member
Hell......
and all this time I thought clamshell referred only to a color, like doeskin. So glad you asked.
Real Question: How does the top fold down with the big selecto-o-dial in the way?
and all this time I thought clamshell referred only to a color, like doeskin. So glad you asked.
Real Question: How does the top fold down with the big selecto-o-dial in the way?
sensi-temp
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- Jun 10, 2010
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- 130
Philco clamshell
My 1956 Philco range has a clamshell but doesn't fold down.
My 1956 Philco range has a clamshell but doesn't fold down.
I'm in a scanning mood tonight - let's take a look at all three years, as displayed via Tech Talk!
1961... blue control panel with grey highlights. Dial on the left controls the timeline timer, dial on the right controls the fabric selector. Buttons modify the cycle (cold wash/rinse, short cycle, etc.)
Mike - the top does not interfere with the controls due to the flat style of both knobs. From what I can tell, via the parts break downs, is you simply pull down or lift up to move the cover. What a cool machine this would be! The knob on Dan's machine is more than likely a replacement, or a very late run for 1963 as it has the later '64 - '69 style knob on it and would interfere on a '61 Custom Imperial.
The 1960 - 1963 Multimatics, while troublesome, are some of the most beautiful machines GM produced. A thread on these machines is certainly deserving, to say the least.
[this post was last edited: 9/9/2010-20:51]
1961... blue control panel with grey highlights. Dial on the left controls the timeline timer, dial on the right controls the fabric selector. Buttons modify the cycle (cold wash/rinse, short cycle, etc.)
Mike - the top does not interfere with the controls due to the flat style of both knobs. From what I can tell, via the parts break downs, is you simply pull down or lift up to move the cover. What a cool machine this would be! The knob on Dan's machine is more than likely a replacement, or a very late run for 1963 as it has the later '64 - '69 style knob on it and would interfere on a '61 Custom Imperial.
The 1960 - 1963 Multimatics, while troublesome, are some of the most beautiful machines GM produced. A thread on these machines is certainly deserving, to say the least.
[this post was last edited: 9/9/2010-20:51]
1962... rigid blue control panel with dark grey highlights. Dial on the left controls the timeline timer, buttons on the right control the wash modification (cold wash/rinse, short cycle, etc.) as well as a new buttons for the cycle selection. Much cheaper to build, and easier control panel to service![this post was last edited: 9/9/2010-20:52]
1963... olive green control panel with gold highlights (my favorite of the three). Exact same controls as the '62, but with a new capacity tub, as well as the 1 1/2 year only pulsator.
Thanks for being in a scanning mood, Ben! I didn't realize the console closed like that.
mickeyd
Well-known member
HI Ben
It's so cool to see the clam slammed shut!!! ( Reply#10, Figure 2), not to mention all those fingers on the Suds Water Saver buttons. They were evidently very proud of giving the system its own buttons rather than a chintzy position on the Wash Temp Dial as was the case formerly.
Do any of our member have one of these exotic mollusks?
Thanks for the superb scans. A real treat. Of course you had me out in the garage trying to close the clam on the 62 Custom Deluxe, lol. That shell ain't gonna budge.
It's so cool to see the clam slammed shut!!! ( Reply#10, Figure 2), not to mention all those fingers on the Suds Water Saver buttons. They were evidently very proud of giving the system its own buttons rather than a chintzy position on the Wash Temp Dial as was the case formerly.
Do any of our member have one of these exotic mollusks?
Thanks for the superb scans. A real treat. Of course you had me out in the garage trying to close the clam on the 62 Custom Deluxe, lol. That shell ain't gonna budge.
Do any of our member have one of these exotic mollusks?
While I'll never consider the 62/63 Custom Imperial panels to be anywhere near as complex as the '61; however, I will say that the '63 takes simplicity and beauty to a whole new level.
That is the reason why I had to have one (thanks Dan!), as well as having found the matching dryer a few years ago, which exposed me to how cool the '63 models really were. Too bad the matching Air Flow Filtrator dryer went to the crusher. I'm still kicking myself over it....
Truman era Frigidaire --- meet the Kennedy Sixties!
While I'll never consider the 62/63 Custom Imperial panels to be anywhere near as complex as the '61; however, I will say that the '63 takes simplicity and beauty to a whole new level.
That is the reason why I had to have one (thanks Dan!), as well as having found the matching dryer a few years ago, which exposed me to how cool the '63 models really were. Too bad the matching Air Flow Filtrator dryer went to the crusher. I'm still kicking myself over it....
Truman era Frigidaire --- meet the Kennedy Sixties!
