Review 1969 Philco Ford Washer - a Wiggler

[freewestinghous]

I took an avacado green 1969 Philco Ford washer in trade at my used appliance store back in 1989. It was in like new condition and was a fancy looking washer with a fake wood grain console. As I recall it was not a stripper model and had many features and wash cycles. It did not have a regulator agitating action, just an off center action wiggling agitator. It had no problems and worked as it should. I ran almost a dozen loads of laundry with it and concluded it was one of the worst washing machines ever made. It barely cleaned anything and was a great disappointment. My shop towels were almost as dirty as they were when put in after a long wash cycle.
I was selling used washing machines for $79 to $199 and had to price the Philco Ford washer at $35 because I was so gulity about selling it since its performance was so terrible. I ended up selling it to a lady and when I delivered it, I saw she had a pile of dirty laundry that was as big as a utility trailer. Must have been 40+ loads waithing to be washed ! I never heard from her so she must have thought the machine was acceptable [ and I gave a 3 month warranty ].
It would be quite an interesting machine to own today as it was really attractive and I am sure few Philco Ford machines are still around. A novelty and fun now - but as a viable washing machine in it's time - it was not.

Randy in PDX

 

[tomturbomatic]

We thought the same thing about the one we found and sorta felt guilty about donating it to a thrift store.

 

[jetcone]

Very collectible

very ineffective, although Robert says his Philco works on dirt and I have seen it roll a load over at least once in 10 years.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Do you mean that it took 10 years to turn over a load?!?

 

[Unimatic1140]

There is a huge difference between my 1959 Philco and a 1969 Philco. The earlier solid-tub versions had a smaller tub and were much better at turning the load over. Consumer reports rating the design very high when it first came out in '59. As they increased the size of the tub, the effectiveness of the washing action was diminished.

 

[tomturbomatic]

They probably needed a bigger flapper for the larger tub or a Dual Action Flapper with auger. Philco should have called in Tim "the Tool Man" Taylor to give it more power. He would have had it throwing the load against the lid during flappulation, like carp jumping out of the river. It would be the only top loader that needed to latch the lid during wash and rinse.

 

[hydralique]

Robert, I just love your Philco set! So pretty, one can almost imagine Miss America slouching against them. Good juxtaposition too with the Whirlpool combo to the left as the console designs are complementary.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Miss America never slouched. There have been troubles over the years, but slouching was never one of them. She might have stood with her hard, girdled ass against it, but her weight would have been supported on her own high heels, not the machine.

 

[arbilab]

The Wobbulator? Never saw one in person but vaguely remember a commercial for them.

 

[norgeway]

I know one thing!

The OLDER ones would roll clothes so much that it will tie them in knots like a Frigidaire will if not loaded properly..

 

[joelippard]

Yes

Mine will wash the heck out of some clothes, rolls them very nicely.  It's rated at 12 lbs but can wash almost as much as my 1-18

 

[jetcone]

Even with

flappulation on full with the wobbulator I don't see how it could ever tangle, photographic evidence puhleese!

 

 

[peterh770]

The early models did roll effectively.  The later design would knead the load into a fabric doughnut at the bottom of the tub.  I blame the exaggerated folds in the later flapalator for this.

 

[jetcone]

well

"fabric doughnut" now there's a new one!

 

[peterh770]

You know it's true.

 

[mickeyd]

The doughnut being kneaded

`

 

[mickeyd]

And the doughnut is ready

-

 

[mickeyd]

Mixing the water with the ingredients for the doughnuts

'

 

[mickeyd]

These later Flappers are pure washer joy because

the extraction cycle combines agitation, spinning, draining, and spray rinsing--ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Hence, the doughnut.

It is something to behold. Here he is, head erect and still, greedily awaiting.