The Bendix Power Surge Washer

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gansky1

gansky1

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A little while ago, Roger in Tuscon found a Bendix Power-Surge washer. Knowing this was one of my dream machines from way back, he called and offered it to me. Of course, I jumped at it and now it's in Roger's carport awaiting shipment to Nebraska. Here are the pictures he sent me and the scans of the 1956 Bendix brochures and sales-facts pages for your viewing pleasure...

And then.....

http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?dir=/COLLECTIONS/_Bendix-PowerSurge
 
WOW!!!! Congratulations Greg and Robert! Robert, your machine looks just MINT; especially that boot! Hopefully it's nice and pliable and not "crunchy". Love the Thor-O-Matic name and cool Formica blue top!

Greg, I saw your PowerSurge personally when we were in Tucson. It's in great condition for its age I thought; one thing I noticed was that the large lid was heavy but positive-hinged and is not going to fall down and squish any unsuspecting fingers! The boot is a little hard but is not torn and I'm sure with a little brake fluid it will be nice and pliable again.

Those wobble-plates are cool and are much shorter than the ad depicts which surprised me. I too was surprised at how small the tub was but I bet there will be a lot of action in there! Also note that the machine is started/stopped through the water temperature dial; I had never seen that before either.

Have fun and please keep us posted!

--Austin
 
Power Surge

Wow What a awsome washer - somehow I had thought these were solid tub machines. Guess I was wrong. It looks real interesting would love to see a video. Best of Luck to both Greg and Robert on such fantistic finds.
Peter
 
Funny, except fot the row of slits at the very top, the tub resembles the Early Maytag automatics (AMP) except upside down with the bolts towards the bottom.! Even the spacing and direction of the holes.

Between that and the resemblence of the "Rubber-Tub" Bendix's agitator to the Maytag "Filter" agitator, it DOES make one wonder if maybe ther might have been some obscure "sharing" of designs somewhere along the line.

That Thor machine looks like it just came off the showroom floor! Wonder what it sounds like? What a kool find!
 
What great finds for both you guys! These are wonderful washers. I had seen one work years ago, but it was before I was collecting and saving. Hope you can get them working again, and they look to be in great condition. Do they have many rubber parts in them like the Philco and Dexters do? Wonder how well they wash? Im sure you are tickled to have them..........
 
Excitement Maximus

Oh! Gentlemen what a delightful circumstance for both of you.
Please do some artsy camera work with your proud faces reflecting in those wonderful chromed energizer quiverizer
tops, with and without water. For the first and last pages of the Class of AW.O 2006 Year Book!
 
gorgeous

Gansky,What color is the top of your lid? Did I miss it? I didn't see it, I'm dying to know what color yours is! Robert..I LOVE that formica on top of yours! Those are two incredibly cool machines!!!
 
About VIDEO

Hello...

How about see the video about Bendix or Thor-O-Matic or both, can I see the video? When?

-Peter (kenmorepeter5ab) ;-D
 
Greg and Robert I am so happy for you both!! I saw Greg's machine when I was in Tucson and it appears to be in great shape for its years! I can't wait to see "Energized-Water"! Robert that Thor-O-Matic looks to be in wonderful condition. Do you know any of the history of the machine. Wouldn't be surprised if it was hardly used!! Again congratulations to you both! Terry
 
I can't believe my eyes!

Not one, but two dream machines in the same weekend! Congrats, you guys!

What a score Greg, I'll bet you can't wait till it gets to NE. Looks like a very clean machine! And Robert, that turquoise top is amazing! These will be so much fun during wash-ins - thanks for sharing this fantastic moment!

Ben
 
Well the guy from the estate sale never called, even after I left him a couple of messages, so I’m sure glad I decided to take a ride over to that address first thing this morning. It turns out the owner was there and more than happy to sell me the machine.

Here is an update on the Thor-o-Matic: I thought the boot had rips in it, but now on a closer inspection I see that it is worn, but not worn all the way through, so I think, Tonight I ran the washer without the belt on to protect the pump. The motor runs, the timer turns and the water valve seems to work. As soon as I get a chance this week I will give it a water test. The cord was crumbling so I replaced it and grounded the machine, otherwise it looks like its in fine shape.

Here are some more pictures from my inspection.

http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/...r the Thor.jpg&dir=/COLLECTIONS/_Thor-O-Matic
 
just when you thought ..................

AGAIN, I am amazed and flabbergasted, CONGRADS to both of you guys, you know at this rate Robert, you will find your "bouncing basket" just yet ............
 
Very cool pics - it's amazing how similar the design is to the later Philco Automagic. I can't wait to see the quiver-action!

I've been searching parts manuals from Marcone and other parts supply houses all evening, even belt manufacturer's guides and I can't find any mention of Thor or Thor-o-Matic for Robert's washer at all. There must have been a connection between Philco and Thor right around 1956-57 because the last of the automatic washer service info I have from Thor is from late 55 and that was only for their design with the spinner-washer/dishwasher mechanisms. Since Philco aquired the Bendix appliance division from Avco in 1957 it might also have been about this same time that they aquired the rights to the Thor name as well. There is still a connection today with the Bendix/Philco/Thor names overseas(Italian made?) but I haven't been able to uncover much about Thor yet.
 
Drooling here................

Besides WOW what fabulous machines!, I must say the love that flows in this place is AMAZING. It is beyond description to me that each of you thinks *self-less-ly* of others and making their dreams come true.

May the universe bestow upon you (plural) the abundant fulfillment of all your wants and needs and protect you (all) in good health and good spirits.

So be it!
 
wow!

What amesome additions to your collections.

That flapper (or what ever it's called) looks very similar to the Philco's Automagic agitator.

Love the blue lid on the Thor. (I agree -- it's amazing how similar both machines are.)

Can't wait to see them in action. I hope they don't give you too much trouble.

Mike
 
Well Ain't That Special...

Jees, Go on haitus for a while and this is what happens when I get back. Absolutely incredible finds Greg and Robert. The washer gods have smiled upon you.

Can't wait to see some videos of the wash action ;-)

Again, congrats guys.
 
Uhh, this may be a

very obvious question, but were these machines from the same line, and one just rebadged?

If so, who was the maker?

Sincerely happy for you both, Greg and Robert!

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 
TOO COOL X 2

WOW! Thanks to the finders, first of all. Thanks for the pictures from the new owners.

Robert, what is the suspension like? It seems sort of underbuilt for 600 rpm spinning and the inner tub is awfully close to the stationary outer tub. The big drain boot: is the drain hole in the outer tub and the inlet to the pump that wide? It must have to pump like hell because it does not look like there is room between the tubs for water. I guess the other solution would be a slow spin out. It will be interesting to see how it functions. When I saw those Calypsos for the first time, I could see this Bendix behind the mechanism. I think Bendix was smarter to do the washing in a tub of water instead of what the Calypso does. I like those 3 big fins. I'll bet they keep the load moving. It's a shame it looks so much like the rubber tub top loaders. I'll bet that many people passed them over thinking that they were the older design. Is the tub really about the size of the AMP?

Thanks again to all.
 
Hi everyone, Terry I didn't get much history of this machine, the owner was actually the man's daughter. In the house was a 1990 or so GE Filter-Flo Washer and a 1965 Frigidaire Dryer. There also was a electric 1951 Bendix Dryer pushed to the side, just like the one's Greg and I had before and Peter has one too.

Greg that is interesting about the Bendix/Philco/Thor name, it makes me also wonder if Philco bought both Bendix and Thor and retired the Thor name.

Lawrence Bendix was the designer of both of these machines.

Tom the tub is much smaller than I ever thought. It's about 1/2 the size of an AMP wash tub. When I first saw it the first thing that came to mind was a mini-basket in a full size washer! Still the user guide that I got with the Thor says to fill it with 8lbs clothes.
 
What a cool machine!!! Thanks for the pics. I used to notice these ads in LIFE magazines when I was looking for info on GE's. I only noticed them then because of their gimmick witht he different formica tops. I've only begun to appreciate Philco/Bendix since I've been a member.
 

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