POD 11/08/17 Westinghouse Top-Loader

[gyrafoam]

I remember these very well. They were pretty quiet, and thorough washing machines. The agitation was pretty aggressive, though, so I understand why they came out with that double-dong agitator. They were prone to sudz-lock as were most machines of this era. The stupid lid-lock was an annoyance for sure!

The glaring issue with these machines was the pump located directly above the motor! DUH!
I guess they assumed nobody would ever question that feat of engineering. Rightfully so. Who ever asked a salesman to take the panel off so you could see the inner workings? Certainly not most people.

 

[turquoisedude]

I still kick myself for giving up on the Westinghouse top-loader I briefly owned in the mid 90s.... It was a mid-range model, with the matching dryer (and both in Harvest Gold) that a co-worker gave me; the set was in the house she bought but she wasn't keen on keeping it.  I managed to get nearly 6 months out of the washer when it started dispensing transmission oil during the wash cycle.  I very stupidly assumed the machine was not repairable and scrapped it.   Sigh, if I had only known about this site back then....  

 

[yogitunes]

your right....most people wouldn't ask a salesman to see inside a machine...I have!

and 'have' I did, I was at Sears checking out the Fridgemore at the time, and I needed to know if I could adjust the water level if needed.....

luckily Craftsman tools were across from the Lady Kenmores.....a phillips screwdriver was all I needed to open the top....

talk about freakin out a salesman.....

but bottom line, if they wouldn't let me see inside, some other place would.....no different than buying a car, its a big purchase, I want to see under the hood!

 

[westingguelph]

IMHO the control panel is beautifully designed and quite user friendly. Westinghouse in certain products might not have been the most reliable but they sure had a knack for style and innovation.

 

[norgeway]

Robert Perdue

In Roanoke has one, they wash like everything!, really a great performer.My Cousin had one when I was a kid, it was a 65 and I think they had it until about 85 or so,

 

[glhturbo2]

Speaking of Robert P.

Here is when we suds locked his Westinghouse when I was in Roanoke about 2 weeks ago. I visited and stayed with Steve, we then went to Roberts on Sunday. That was an experience in itself, so much neat stuff there. I had a blast, thank you Steve for introducing us.

-Tyler

 

[kd12]

HD X-mission

That's some thick steel in the transmission housing. Heavy duty all right. Had no idea they were that heavy.

 

[scrubflex]

I would love to see this washer in action.

 

[agiflow2]

This POD was the exact washer we got used after our Norge quit in 1983. This was a pretty good washer but coming from a 20 LB.capacity Norge, the tub was noticeably smaller. It washed well and created a lot of splash with those spiral fins.

Other than my current Speed Queen this washer had an excellent suspension system. The only washer we ever had with a panel light too. Great for basements with not the best lighting. It had a long spray rinse if I remember correctly on each spin.

Does anyone remember these having a white tub or off whitish tub because I remember ours did. Maybe I am remembering that wrong, but I'm pretty sure it was off white.

 

[yogitunes]

thanks to our own DanMan, that agitator can be seen in action in a Speed Queen....

 

[potatochips]

I have a soft spot for these machines, I desperately want to fine one with a matching cross-tangle, err I mean cross vane, drying.

 

[brucelucenta]

You should be able to find one. They were everywhere not too many years ago.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

An appliance truck was delivering a fridge to the hospital I worked at & what should be in the back of it, but a Westinghouse washer & dryer (don't remember gas or electric--maybe it had the little door on the front) just like that one in the P.O.D. and I think in Harvest Gold, too...

I sure wish, despite whatever frail qualities, that the set discarded, back in (what was my good, though short-part of) the '90's, is still living its second life somewhere...

-- Dave