Simpson washing machine Picture thread

[arrrooohhh]

Hello everyone. I have been wanting to do this thread for a long time. I have been collecting pictures for ages and wanted to present Simpson washing machines in chronological order.

Of course some of these machines belongs to our friend Leon, who has gone to amazing lengths to find and preserve these machines. Others I have collected from advertisements, and a couple are machines I have found that sit in my garage till, one day I promise, I will get to play with them.

Hope you all enjoy!

 

[arrrooohhh]

The First Simpson Automatic.

This was made in the late 50's to early 60's. This picture came from the Ebay advertisement that Leon successfully bidded on.

 

[arrrooohhh]

The First Simpson Automatic.

Money shot

 

[arrrooohhh]

Secong generation

This is the dryer but the washing machine matched exactly. In this sites library the instruction manual can be viewed as a PDF.

 

[arrrooohhh]

Third Generation

This machine is an A40 model and the first to use Fluid Drive as a selling feature and identification.

 

[arrrooohhh]

Controls up closer.

 

[arrrooohhh]

Simpsamatic

Semi Automatic model. You fill the machine up manually with a hose, and select wash or spin. One dial to select wash or spin, another dial as a timer. Machine will wash or spin until you turn it off or when the timer cuts out.

Kind of like a twin tub except you dont have to handle the wet washing. IMO allows for lots of fun to wash and spin as you like.

 

[arrrooohhh]

Now things get really funky

This series of Fluid Drive were really awesome. Preprogrammed pushbutton controls selected all speeds, wash times and temperatures. The tubs were still solid, but came with a groovy ribbed liner and recirculating lint filter. This particular machine belongs to me I am proud to say!

 

[arrrooohhh]

This model is also preprogrammed but with a turning timer. Leon has this machine.

 

[arrrooohhh]

Same series

But this one you selected speed, time and temperature yourself.

 

[arrrooohhh]

1968 model.

With nice woodgrain control panel. Again belongs to Leon.

 

[bradross]

Simsamatic semi-automatic

Wow - the "Simsamatic" looks like fun!

 

[ronhic]

Four Speed Programmed....

Was what I grew up with....

Bought new by my folks in August 1968 when they moved into their new home and replaced with a ASEA Cylinda 1200 in 1989

...21yrs of fluid drive...was a lovely machine...

 

[arrrooohhh]

Chris - somethiong truly special about those machines. Compared to todays all white models. Electrolux please listen, a bit of colour on the control panel would go a long way!

 

[mayfan69]

The LAST of the All push button Fluid Drives

How about this one Ash.....this is the last of the all push button Fluid Drives: The Simpson "99". Sorry for the pic, but the machine is buried behind a lot of other stuff. This one is mine when i can eventually get it out from there. Nathan and I found some great stuff at this guys place here in Brisbane.

 

[mayfan69]

The Simpson i want.....the "Fabulous 89"!!!

You can't forget this one Ash....this is the Simpson i've been yearning for....the 1973 Solid State Control "FABULOUS 89"! What a name for a machine!

 

[victoriapark]

fantastic

Thanks Ash,

I really enjoyed seeing those. I haven't seen the Simpsomatic since the late 1960's in a house in Wellington western NSW.

Greg

 

[simpsomatic]

Simpsomatic (not Simpsamatic)

Thanks for posting this wonderful collection of washing machines that are truly an Australian icon. Machines of this quality will never be seen (or made)again. My screen name is Simpsomatic because of my facination with the semi-automatic with the butterfly control knobs as shown in this thread. I purchased the machine used at an auction in Richmond for $35.00 and gave it to my sister. That was thirty five years ago. Today, my sister's in-laws still have this machine in their holiday house at Rosebud and it still works. Would love to see a video or two of one or two these work horses in action.

 

[cleanteamofny]

Simply beautiful!

 

[christfr]

those are really fun looking machines.

 

[meadowbank]

History of one of the other Australian washers

Not sure of protocol here? I have just posted for sale on Ebay a collection of 220+ unused Hoover control Panel labels for washers and dryers. If anyone is intested in the model history of another past Australian manufacturer this might be worth a look. I purchased these when the factory closed so I want to recover some costs hence the starting price of $40 (less than 20 cents per label). If some people want to get together and share that would be fine, there are multiple examples of many models but not all. I have kept one example of each for my own collection.
The Australian ebay number is: 170376122449 (not sure about how to link this) Regards, Meadowbank.

 

[appnut]

Those are absolutely beautiful machines. Remind me of kinda speed queenish and hotpointish from over here. Beautiful styles.

 

[brisnat81]

There werent many Microprocessors available in 1973, I wonder what Solid state actually means in this instance? Most of the processors around this time were 4 bit, maybe the Intel 4004.

Leon, do you have any service material around this model?

Does anyone know if another washer that was solid state back in 73?

 

[mayfan69]

Solid State

Hi Nathan

Yes, i do have the service manual for the Fabulous 89, although its fairly vague and states that any service to the solid state controller was limited to the pressure switch and indicator lights.

I have the advert for the first model of this and the solid state controller is shown to be a printed circuit board on a round cylinder attached to a motor for rapid advance.

The chances of me finding this machine intact are slim, the solid state circuitry gave problems due to moisture from the hot water and eventually, many entire control panels were replaced with a more standard rotary dial set up.

But, i'm not giving up.

Leon

 

[omomatic]

Thanks Guys!

Hi Guys
Thank you for sharing that with us all. It sertainly brought back alot of memories for me.
Bruce

 

[mixfinder]

89 and 99

Machines with lighted backsplash and lots of chrome always remind me of the mid 50's automobile in the US. Fliud drive machines here in the US didn't seem to last as long as these. Any insights as why?
What innards are under the hood of the 89? Could I be right in guessing the 99 has Maytag underpinnings?
Thank you for Sharing.

 

[mayfan69]

89 innards

Hi Kelly

Here's a link to a previous thread of the innards of an "80 Series Simpson". This is the semi automatic version but the 89 has the same mechanicals.

Leon

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/ARCHIVE/VINTAGE/2006/7116x16.htm

 

[mayfan69]

99 innards

Hi Kelly

Here's a link to a previous thread showing the inner workings of Simpson Fluid Drives....the 99 has the same mechanicals.

Leon

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/ARCHIVE/VINTAGE/2007/11988x16.htm

 

[chestermikeuk]

Simpson

Great line up there guys, they certainly are the "Washers of Aus" as seen around the world!!! those ribbed tubs look like they would produce lots of extra water currents...

Did the models all have the same top spin speed??

Cheers, Mike

 

[mayfan69]

Spin Speed

Hey Mike

All the Fluid Drive machines spin at approx 600-650 rpm on normal speed and the "80 Series" machines with the flying saucer gearbox spin at 625rpm at normal speed, so not too much difference between them.

Leon