Starting my own `vintage' collection in the UK

[nickuk]

Hi all!

Came across this on British ebay.

Well, this is similar to many machines I used as a young child. I was mesmorised by the `clunking' of the timer, and loved the fairly dramatic distribute>spin. IMO the GEC motors in these Hotpoints make the best British `washday' noise when they tumble, very `grunty' and purposeful. I wouldn't touch modern day Hotpoint, and I know that this isn't what you would call a `fantastic' machine, but I just like `em!

I am waiting on some close up shots from the seller to see if she is restorable to any form of glory. What do think guys and gals?

 

[nickuk]

LOL when I say `she' I refer of course to the machine, not the seller

 

[lavamat_jon]

Ooooh, go for it! I loved those machines . And yes I do actually think they are fantastic machines - in fact the majority of the machines from the 80s were. It is also a fine example of British engineering I think! Much better than the "British" Hotpoint's of today.

As much as I love the sound of those GEC motors though, I am glad that seeming as our washer downstairs is on 2 or 3 times a day that we don't have to know that the washing machine is on, as we did with the old Creda or Hotpoint . (My mum still walks past the Bosch and is amazed that it is on).

Anyway, as I said, go for it! Do you know how often it has been used?

(And don't forget to use your Persil Automatic low-lather powder along with your brand new Hotpoint automatic!)

All the best,

Jon

 

[sparkcymru]

wow

that's a fab machine! I remember one similar in my childhood and it had a kinda of purple coloured glass in it. Not so good for viewing the washing.Modern Hotpoints are soooo boring. Sigh!

Steve

 

[newwave1]

Oooo wow i had one of those machines! I loved it. such a great machine the distributions very fun as is the spin when it jumps out at ya!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Purple n Brown

Hi Nick

Welcome to the club, you`ll certainly enjoy the world-wide view of vintage machines...this hotpoint is an excellent machine to start with.

This machine was the backbone of Hotpoints machines in the 80`s, loved the previous purple ones, those motors did used to be noisy, I never worked out whether the plastic backplate was a good soundproofer , or if the machine would have benefited from a solid metal back panel etc...

Cheers, Mike

 

[washboy2005]

WOW nick i love it, one of the best british machines IMO, hope you have many hours washing with it !!!

Take Care

 

[Bearpeter]

Ahh, memories!!!

My brother had one of those when he first got married. I remember the grinding noise the motor made when it was on the woolens wash!.
Just to be sure, was the dial on the left the spin speed or wash temp? I seem to remember this machine being the first I ever came across with a spin speed dial that you could change the speed when spinning! i was soooo impressed!

Peter

 

[l86810]

Ooooh cool!

Is that from e-bay?... i think i saw someone selling one the other day! LOL

 

[newwave1]

Mike! tht pic u posted is the same as the washer i had shame its gone now....

 

[nickuk]

e-bay

Yeah , it's from ebay L86810. I've been looking for a while on ebay for my classic dream machines.

These would have to be...
a 70s Hoover, preferably a 1000 spin.
a 70s Philips Slimstar top loader
a 70s Bendix front loader with the big square door
a 70s Indesit - don't know the model number but loads of my friends Mums had them. They were quite slow spinners and had three dials on the front. I remember the no`5' wash would stop at rinse hold and you had to crank the dial round to `four' I think for a spin. I think it span with a tun full of water.

Ideally I'd quite like a 70s Hotpoint like the one Mike showed us but I was always disappointed with the obscured vision (the purple thing). Those machines are quite splashy, bouncy and `raw' to watch when tumbling. This one on e-bay is pretty similar mechanically to the `purple' ones but with a 1000 spin, not 800.

Mike, thanks for your welcome and the great pictures. Are those your machines? Are they `Liberators'? I remember the dryers were pretty noisy too, right? I love the colour coding on the washer timer - i.e `7' is highlighted in dark purple, to indicate you should push `gentle action' etc. Hmmm, maybe I should wait for one of those on e-bay........

Thanks for the reply Sparkcymru, yeah - I remember the days too.

Bearpeter - hi! Yes, that wonderful `straining' sound as the motor runs at half speed (`gentle action' button pressed) and the whole cabinet vibrates! It's as if there is a dormant beast under the `hood' just waiting to tumble freely!

Thanks, Washboy. I hope I get it!

Darren - yes, I remember they used to walk across the kitchen a bit!

Jon - of course! I'm expecting to find my trial sized New System Persil Automatic and Blue COmfort in the drum when I buy! If not shall complain to seller!

Regards

Nick

 

[nickuk]

Spin dial

Sorry bearperter, forgot to answer this one. The dial is a variable spin from 400-1000 if I remember rightly, or maybe it went even slower than that? Yes, you could alter it while spinning! I don't think the spin is `stepped' on this machine, I believe it attempts to launch to max selected speed from distribute. At least, that's what I'm hoping for....

 

[nickuk]

and there's also this one...

but it's quite a long way to go for me to get it.

It's a less sophisticated model but the same mechancally and I for one would love to have it. If anyone's interested - I guess SPARKCYMRU is nearest..........it's based in Somerset. Crossing the bridge is probably dearer than the machine lol

 

[newwave1]

I'm Lovin that machine!! Is that on ebay?! I musta missed that one!

grr y r current machines so.............*fill in with own appropriate word!!!!*

Darren

 

[lavamat_jon]

Is "sugar" the word you're looking for, darren? .

 

[newwave1]

lol.....no jon i do not think their sweet & you know it...cheeky boy i was thinkin sumthin else...

 

[lavamat_jon]

Or should I have said, "Is Indeshit the word you are looking for, Darren?"

 

[newwave1]

ahh thats better. were on the right lines now lol

 

[newwave1]

ahh thats better. were on the right lines now lol