POD 3/13: Philco 1958?

[appnut]

Wow Jimmy!! Beautiful.

 

[veg-o-matic]

Wow! Never seen a Dexter automatic before.

Nice control panel. How do the Fabric Formula buttons work?

And don't you love the term "Fabric Formula"??

veg

 

[filterflo]

Hey Veg, I absolutely love this washer. To get an idea of how the buttons work, look at the picture of the lid instructions. The buttons control the speed and water temp according to the "Fabric Formula"!!!!

 

[jetcone]

Nice machine Jimmy!

Peter I hope you get your dream machine soon because I want to come play!

I can answer your questions on the relationships here since I have been researching the Bendix Appliance history.

Bendix Appliances (AVCO) was sold off to Philco around 1958. Now either Ford purchased Dexter or, Philco under Ford purchased Dexter.
Dexter took all the moldings from Bendix for their commercial line of washers.
Since the 40's I was told Dexter had not made a residential machine, only commercial ones. (Dexter took the moldings because they own their own molding and steel casting operation, even to this day.) So it was Dexter who made all the parts for Philco from the Bendix molds.
This ownership went on sometime until the late 60's when Dexter was directly owned by Ford and then Ford may have sold it off to a third party. But sometime in the 80's or 90's the Dexter employees bought the company back and it is now owned by the employees. And they only make commercial machines and have no intention (as of last fall) of ever making a residential machine again.
A real american work horse!!

jet

 

[swestoyz]

Great History Lesson Jet!

Sounds like you've your homework. Yes, they do their own castings still to this day in Fairfield, and a very dirty and OLD casting plant to boot! Did you contact folks from Fairfield for the info on Dexter, or was their an outside source? I never realized how much is still done down there. I had no idea that the design principles of the Dexter commercial machines is based on Bendix tech - simply amazing. I'm sure next time I'm down there, I can find some info at the Library in town if needed.

Us 'townies' didn't pay much attention to Dexter unless you were employed there - and waved at the strikers while they cheered on the side of the road! I left Fairfield almost 3 years ago now... And no, I didn't participate in what was brewing on the North side of the tracks, if you know what I mean =)

Ben

 

[swestoyz]

Now that is a rare machine Jimmy!

I think I've found a new love - time to start hunting! I love the design of the control panel - like the Philco but has its own characteristics. I had no idea that there were Dexter Autos on the market. Does anyone know for how long - mid sixties?

I've got to get me one of those!

Ben

 

[filterflo]

Thanks for the Philco/Dexter info Jon, both are fascinating companies. Looks like Ford bought Philco in 1961. So I guess it was actually Philco Corp that bought Dexter in the late 50's, prob trying to increase their market share. Philco history can be traced pretty easy on the internet... its one of my absolute favorite brands.......

http://search.hp.netscape.com/hp/bo...ry&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philcoradi