What are/were Champion washers?

[grnappliance]

Today I found a Champion washer for sale on Trademe. I have never heard of this brand before, but looking at it, it appears to be very vintage. Is there anyone who might be able to tell me more about these Champion washers and what they were? Also, I couldn't find any pictures or other videos of them working, so any photos would also be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[gizmo]

Have you bought it yet? Could you post a better photo of the ID plate on the back?

It sure looks like an interesting catch.

 

The ID plate shows it was made by Radiation Co in Dunedin, so I googled Radiation Appliances and found this in the NZ national archive: https://tiaki.natlib.govt.nz/#details=ecatalogue.350378

 

The documents are at the Alexander Turnbull Library at Wellington. They are a collection of brochures for Champion branded appliances including a couple for Champion automatic washers from the 1970s.

 

It would be great if you could access these documents and post images of them here!

 

[grnappliance]

I do not have this washer in my possession yet, I would like to learn more about it before I put in the word to try and retrieve it. Also, I am personally unable to log in to request the item in the link you provided (Perhaps someone else could). I am highly considering this washer, so any more info will be appreciated!

 

[vacbear58]

Champion

Its an interesting one this. Firstly Radiation (using that same trade mark) was a group of British companies including Jackson (Electric cookers/ranges), Parnall (washers and dryers) and New World (Gas cookers/ranges). The model names of Topline and Trimline were used for Jackson cookers and Spinwasher was used for Parnall washers - these are all mentioned in the attachment linked in an earlier reply. Parnall was the only UK manufactured washer that had any form of suds saving. I also know that the Parnall name was used for a while on Australian cookers although they don't look much like anything we saw here.

The group was amalgamated/take over by the TI group around 1967 or so and the Parnall name was swiftly dropped along with its washer lines (top loading automatic and semi automatic washers), their all new tumble dryer range was rebranded and developed under TI's Creda brand. The cookers ran alongside Creda's extensive line of cookers for a while (Jackson had a strong brand presence) although Jackson models were gradually dropped where there was duplication with Creda and finally in around 1976 the last Jackson cooker, the Topline, was rebranded as Creda.

The washers started life as a locally manufactured version of US Thor model which morphed into the very different looking Parnall Spinwasher (semi automatic) around 1959 although apparently very similar mechanically. This model was further updated and an additional fully automatic washer added.

Its perfectly possible that a NZ subsidiary might not have been included in the takeover for, whilst that agitator has the look of Parnall about it, the control panel looks far more modern than that of the last UK Spinwasher. Of course it is possible they were manufacturing them locally under licence and continued to do so - I have little knowledge of Antipodean washers but the control panel has something of the look of Australian manufactured Hoover toploaders to me. As long as the price is low it could well be worth getting and, although spare parts may be scarce, ingenuity can go a long way in getting a machine up and running. Good Luck

 

[grnappliance]

Oh my! So you're saying that the design comes from the late 50s? And if the washers were dropped in '67, does that mean that it dates to... the '60s?

I'm gonna have to check first, but I'll see if I can possibly grab this one.

 

[gizmo]

The list I posted on the NZ archive shows booklets for the "Champion Spinwasher" and the "Champion Sudsaver" both from the 1970s.

The Champion machine in the Trademe ad looks 1970s to me. It's quite likely that a design that was dropped in the UK in the 60s continued in NZ for a few more years and had some successive NZ-only updates.

 

GRNAppliance - can't you sign up to access the archive? You set up a RealMe account first, then log in with your RealMe details. I think RealMe is only available for NZ residents?? The link to set up a RealMe account is in the top right corner of the screen in the link I posted.

[this post was last edited: 5/9/2023-20:32]

 

[grnappliance]

Yeah, I'm unable to do that sorry. Seems that this machine would definitely come in early 70s, considering that the last Spinwasher ever made in the UK looks very old compared to this one. There must be someone who knows how to decode these serial numbers, but until then, I'll assume this machine is very early 70s.

 

[keymatic]

Morning Gabriel,

Great find and hopefully you will get it soon, there isn't much more i can add to Vacbear's reply apart from adding some pics of the Mk2 & Mk 3 Spin washers available in UK from the early to mid 60's. The Mk3 had the functionality of completing a whole wash programme automatically and still retaining the wash water for further loads, unlike the previous 2 models this was not possible as after each wash load the clothes had to be spun and the water saved and the clothes removed and then the next load washed, rinsing was only completed after all the wash loads were complete.
Cheers
Keith

 

[grnappliance]

I noticed that you had a Parnall washer from 1964. Do you happen to know how to decode the serial numbers to get the date out of this machine?

 

[chestermikeuk]

Champion / Parnall Radiation / Thor

A great fnd Gabriel and it does as others above look similar to the Parnall washing machines made in the UK.

Here are a few pics of Darrens (Slowspin66) semi automatic machines

 

[maytag85]

Reply #9

Almost reminds me of a Maytag along with a Norge-esqe console.

 

[grnappliance]

Here's another question that might be worth considering. It looks like these washers were good performers with those many fins on the agitator. They also happen to be a long-stroke machine, something that I haven't had the chance to own yet. I'm not sure how well this machine would do with balancing. Does it have an OOB switch in it? Perhaps someone will know.

 

[slowspin66]

I’m convinced

Hello there the similarities in the machines as others have stated suggest they are the same ??
On the UK machines the lid switch actuator goes through a slot on the top of the machine . This is the same as in your machine . I think this was a unique arrangement .
Have a look at the photo . As for the spinning there isn’t an out of balanced switch that I can recall. . A full load of single fabric types spins really well As you never quite never know how balanced it will be until the water has spun out the tub . .
The tub on the spinwasher machines is solid even though it appears perforated so when the machine spins with a small load a tsunami tidal wave can occur in the tub with a small load ending up
On one side on the tub … however a very unbalanced load will not spin due to the clutch being unable to fully engage the power from the motor . The machine can lurch from side to side on such an occasion !!!

 

[grnappliance]

Guys, I did it! It took a little bit of persuasion because the timing was a little inconvenient, but I was just given the all-clear to go ahead and buy it!!!

Looks like we'll be arranging to pick it up on Wednesday. But for now, I would like to say a big thanks to everyone on this site who helped me to learn more about this rare find, and to appreciate its value better!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Champion / Parnall Radiation / Thor

Just lightened the pics to check the tub and yes indeed it has the perforated liner tub.
I must say Get This if you can its totally unique and a great vintage washer !!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Thor Parnall Champion

Heres a few more pics of the tub assembly .

Here is link to previous thread when we found the Parnall W601 from 1966.

Parnall SpinWasher De-Luxe 1966

We had a mini meet recently to overhaul the Parnall SpinWasher semi-automatic top loader, I had a phone call from a lady in Somerset who at 70yrs young was downsizing, She told me when she first married her mother-in-law gave her this and she used it for nearly 10yrs with young children until...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[keymatic]

Hi Gabriel,

Glad to hear you are going for the washer, it would be such a shame to let this one slip away !

It would be great once you have it to post some internal pictures, Parnall released the MK3 Spin washer here in the UK around 1966/67, and the suds saving set up on this model was totally different to that of the previous two models and it could be the same on the machine you are getting.

Good luck for Wednesday !

cheers Keith

 

[slowspin66]

The tub

It’s an interesting design on the parnall tub as the perforated liner is fixed into the solid tub with a small space between to allow the water get out quickly in the spin cycle … I not sure if it improves the overall spin performance or not ?
Will love to see the new machine when you collect it . Best wishes Darren . Ps Willow the cat has got in on the act in that last photo !!!!

 

[grnappliance]

So those holes that make up the inner tub, are they artificial holes, or are they real holes? Regardless, they look pretty cool and add to the look of the machine.