POD 5/11/2017

[brucelucenta]

ABC O Matic were basically the same as Kelvinator washers and dryers. I have actually never seen any ABC's that were this late a model. I have seen many Kelvinator and Leonard machines of this vintage though. They were popular models. They have the very unique eccentric circle washing system and are quite amusing to watch. They also do a good job washing, rinsing and spinning the water out too.

 

[hilovane]

Those machines pictured, look exactly like the Kelvinator machines of the same vintage. Even the trademark logo on the upper right-hand side of the cabinets appears to be the same as the "Kelvy's."

 

[frigilux]

I'm a fan of the concentric agitation on these machines, too. The agitator itself is very unique-looking. Is there a 'parent' company for these machines? I'm familiar with the Kelvinator name, but hadn't heard of ABC or Leonard before discovering this website.

Aside: So, it's official; we are the morning people around here, LOL.

 

[brucelucenta]

ABC O Matic were the first machines made and in 1952 they were purchased by Nash-Kelvinator and began being made under the Kelvinator name also. Leonard machines were just rebadged Kelvinator machines that happened to be sold by Otasco(Oklahoma tire and supply co.) in my area of the country until around the mid 60's when they quit manufacturing that style of machine. The field I used to get machines from when I was a teenager had quite a few matching ABC sets that were unusual and attractive. They had light up panels, glass insert lids and doors and the washer tubs were a pastel yellow color. I always found this type of washing machine to be my favorite because of the entertaining way it operated and it still did a good job of what it was intended for. Back in the 70's there were many of these machines still around. After the metal scrap yards became so popular they all disappeared along with many other things.

 

[turquoisedude]

Wow - I had no idea that there was still an ABC-branded washer as late as 1960.  I had always thought Kelvinator phased the name out in the late 50s.  Ya really do learn something new every day!

 

[gyrafoam]

Hey Bruce, do you remember how GEish the dryers were in appearance? When you opened to door and looked inside you would swear they copied GE. I thinks the mechanics were completely different, however.

 

[vacerator]

Yes Bruce,

14250 Plymouth road, Detroit was the Nash Kelvinator building. Still standing, but much worse looking.

 

[hilovane]

I have to say, that the ABC/Kevinator agitators that had the red rubber "edges" on the blades, remind me of all things, GODZILLA!

 

[ken]

This is only one year earlier

than those in the POD. But Kelvinator branded rather than ABC.

 

[toploader55]

Poor Building : (

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[ken]

When the term "urban decay" is used in referring to Detroit I guess they aren't kidding. And its not just Detroit. Sad

 

[Unimatic1140]

I was very surprised to see a 1960 ABC-o-Matic advertisement as well. I thought '58 or '59 was the last of ABC, but I guess not, unless these never made it to market?

Eddie, that is interesting about the Kelvinator Factory. Earlier ABC-o-Matic washers were made in Peoria, IL, but I suspect once Kelvinator bought ABC, they moved production to the Detroit factory. Here is what seems to be left of the Kelvinator factory...

 

[Unimatic1140]

But going back a few years earlier, it seems there was a lot more to the Kelvinator building and it looks like it was bought by Chrysler at some point. I wonder if that large extension in the back was part of Kelvinator originally or if it was just the front building?

 

[supersuds]

A bit more background on the building and its sale to a dubious character here.

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/?p=532292

Commenters on the post include people who used to work there who say it was in a very unsafe area even in the 1970s. Such a shame.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Wow that is ashame. Here's a picture of the building, it may be from the pre-automatic washer era.

 

[vacerator]

Yes, Chrysler

acquired the plant and offices with Jeep/Eagle.
It was also used for design and engineering back in the days of manual board drawing before c.ad. came along.
Also to assemble some 4wd AMC Eagle's.
I saw it for the first time in 1976 on the way to my first job orientation.
Our old office was just a block or two over on Mark Twain street.