POD Zenith Model 400 Washer and Model 300 Dryer. Where's the tuning knob?

[tomturbomatic]

In looking at these, I am reminded of the page from the 1957 Monkey Ward's sale catalog a couple of weeks ago possibly in the Dispenser. What reminds me is the half-moon door/lid handles that both MW & Zenith shared. It was my understanding that Zenith was a Beam machine. The funny Wards machines with the mezza luna door/lid pulls were said to have the double-wall construction Fiberglass wash tubs. Does anyone else know if any other Beam machines had that construction feature or if those MW machines were indeed Beam machines like the Zenith is reputed to be?

I also do not remember anyone other than Frigidaire using the piano hinge to join the lids and doors to the cabinets in the 56 and before models and here it is on the Zenith.

 

[gansky1]

Zenith and Montgomery Ward fiberglass wash-tub machines were made by Apex, not Beam. But that's not to say that Apex-Universal machines didn't have some parts sourced from Beam for the agitator automatics. The fluid-clutch?[this post was last edited: 6/29/2012-07:45]

 

[gansky1]

[No message]

 

[gansky1]

[No message]

 

[gansky1]

"Automatic washers must be equipped with an agitator to

This is the back of the POD

 

[gansky1]

The POD is the TOL set, this is the economy set.

 

[gansky1]

[No message]

 

[tomturbomatic]

WOW! Thanks, Greg. I wonder if WP had to pay any kind of royalty to anyone for using the water balancing trick in the 29" combo. I wonder who, if anyone, got the APEX patents or if there were any.

How does APEX square their statement about needing an agitator for clean clothes with the later bouncing basket?

 

[jetcone]

OMG so KEwl

we need to find this set! More Beam-a-nation!!

I can't get over how BOL that BOL set is, A box with a dial - boom boom done!

 

[tomturbomatic]

Jon, I think all makers had just as stripped a BOL model; WP, Philco & Hotpoint for example.

 

[gansky1]

But the dials are glimmering gold on the BOL set - that makes up for no other frills!

Look at the gold reflection on the cabinet - who wouldn't sigh seeing that every time they walked past the laundry. I have a soft spot for these one-dial-wonder BOL machines, so utilitarian and basic but a simple, understated elegance (?) all their own. I would imagine that given the budget restraints of many families, the BOL washer was welcomed with great delight and pride as opposed to the alternative - hours of drudgery and physical danger with a wringer washer. LOL

 

[mayfan69]

Built here in Australia too

These were built under license here in Australia under the 'Astor' name.

It's one machine i'm still yet to come across.

Cheers
Leon