What is the longest-serving vintage washer in YOUR collection?

[turquoisedude]

We had some visitors on Sunday and of course they visited the 'Ogden Laundry' - they were extremely polite and did not make any smart remarks about being unable to move in the basement (and this despite prompting by Hubby....).    But they asked me a question about the collection that made me stop and think; even after careful reflection I got the answer wrong (and full marks to Hubby for pointing my mistake out to everyone!).

 

The question:  which washer in the collection has been in service (as close to continuously as possible) longest?

 

I'll see what others have to say before I reveal the surprising answer about mine - feel free to make a guess in the meantime.... LOL 

 

I'll give one hint - it is actually one of my Canadian-built machines.... 

 

[pierreandreply4]

let me guest your 1966 inglis washer?

 

[philr]

In your collection?

Since you say it's Canadian built, I'd say either the Westinghouse slant front or the '63 Frigidaire (I know you had the Inglis before both but it hasn't been in continuous service).

In mine, it's been the Frigidaire GMini, it's been in service since the week I got it but it doesn't get regular use (that probably explains why it never required service since I got it, I followed John's advice about not using it too much!). The washer that gets the most use is the '65 Frigidaire you brought me from Ben!

3-4 loads a week, all year round!

 

[whirlaway]

My set is 60 years old!

I still use a Kenmore set almost every day! Tol set from 1955.My clothes are still clean and the washer still clunks along,the dryer on med will dry a load in 50min! Its like an old car if you use it you have less trouble with it.Sort of like men!!!!

 

[washdaddy]

I'm sure this thread is going to get many viewers

Since this thread will probably draw in many to see who does have the "longest-serving" vintage machine could we possibly get some pictures with your posts for those of us who are spectating.

I for one, would love to see how well these machines are being kept and would like to have the chance to admire and appreciate what you've done to keep that machine up and running. I'm sure there would be many others as well.

As the old saying goes, "a picture says a thousand words". Just mentioning your vintage treasure in a sentence is just a statement.

Thank you for the chance to share in your glory and especially to Paul for coming up with the idea to begin with.

Everyone Have a Great Day!
Rick, Washdaddy

 

[rickr]

Ok, here it is..

1956 Whirlpool set. I rebuilt it in 2004, and has been in service ever since. Not a problem.

 

[philr]

Rick, here's the picture... 

 

Some videos available in the link below... 

http://https//www.youtube.com/user/rivgs67/videos

 

[jetcone]

What an interesting question

I've had many long runs with machines I've rebuilt but over 30 years; many machines have come and gone for many reasons. 

 

In the current crop it has to be my 1962 Kelvinator, that has been in my collection for 30 years and it is still a daily driver. How odd I never thought about  this ! -And for guessing , I'd never guess the Kelvinator either.

 

What an interesting question.

 

No ! Wait there is one more machine thats been in use for 30 years, its my WO-65.  It's in storage right now but thats only due to "TBS" = tiny basement syndrome !

 

[turquoisedude]

The surprising revelation....

Well, Phil was closest on this one (of course he's probably visited the collection more than anyone else - the advantage of living in Quebec!!).

 

The longest-serving washer in my collection is the '63 Canadian Frigidaire Deluxe!

 

I got it May of 2009, it got installed in the Ogden Laundry in late summer of 2009.  It has never been swapped out of the laundry area into storage nor has it been out of service due to any component failure.  It's a real trooper!!

 

My first answer to the question posed by our visitors about the longest-serving machine was.... the 66 Inglis.  BUT that machine went fizz-bang-kapow first in 2010 and much more convincingly in 2011.  It went into storage until 2013 and it took me until spring of 2014 to finally get my act together and get the machine restored to serviceable condition.   Hubby actually corrected me - can you believe it?  There is hope for him yet...

 

For the sake of trivia, the FIRST vintage washer I purchased since my epiphany about vintage appliances is.... the 56 GE Combo.   

 

The photos, in order, are: the Frigidaire upon arrival in 2009, The Inglis set initial installation in November of 2008, and the GE combo after delivery to Ogden in May of 2008. 

 

[swestoyz]

Great thread!

I looked around the basement last night, trying to figure out which one has been around the longest.  At first I thought it was the '56 Frigidaire, but then I turned to find this beauty hiding in the corner!  I found the Kelvinator on 12/31/2005, and restored it in the fall/winter of '06.  While I haven't used it in several years, I should pull it out this winter and run a few loads through it.

 

I'm also using a KDS-17A that was nabbed behind a now defunct local appliance store in 2004...

 

[jetcone]

Ben

That Kelvinator is BOSS !!

Workhorses of Washday !!

 

[chachp]

OMG - Post# 803726

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">That whirlpool set is the exact set my Mom had when I was a little kid.  That sure brings back some good memories.</span>

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">They were built up on concrete blocks or a ledge or something in the basement.  I guess one day I was in the laundry room standing in front of the washer when it went into the final spin.  The light in the back apparantly had a short or something.  The washer was a little off balance and rocking, the light was flashing on and off and that buzzer was going off for the final spin.  My Mom said I thought it was a monster coming after me.  She said I ran through the basement into my Dad's workshop, slammed and locked the door for which my Mom did not have a key.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">My Dad had to come home from work in the middle of the day to unlock the door and get me out.  I guess I was a little tool crazy and had no fear (obviously not so with the washer) and she was worried I could hurt myself around all those tools.  My Dad was not happy.</span>

 

[Unimatic1140]

The longest machine in my collection now has to be my 1956 Norge Timeine. Although I since had found another one (the exact same model) and used some parts from the second one on the first one, it's essentially the same machine. Next would be my 1957 and 1958 Frigidaire Unimatic washers, both daily drivers.

 

[ovrphil]

Rickr

those are beautiful sets - the 50's machines are some of my favorites that all you collectors or owners of vintage w/d's own.

 

[washerlover]

Robert, I often dream about your Norge Timeline! I really enjoyed the couple of times I was there to experience the sights and sounds of it. Washer nirvana doesn't get any better than that!

My oldest are my current daily drivers, 1964 coppertone Kenmore 800 washer and its fraternal twin, a 1964 Lady Kenmore dryer. I've had them for 11 years and never a single problem! Would love to locate either a '64 800 dryer or '64 LK washer so they could truly be twins!

 

[alr2903]

Pretty Machines in this thread. @washerlover, I have never seen that Kenmore,  beautiful set. 

@rickr, dust off that "Touch N Wash"  It has to be the longest lasting one in  it's class, in  America.

 

[gansky1]

Mine would have to be the 1964 Hotpoint solid tub washer that Robert brought down from Minneapolis in 1999. He found it at an estate sale and it was in his collection until he found a little earlier model and passed this one along to me. It was my first solid-tub washer. Other than a couple of minor fixes since then, it gets used at least once a week or so.

 

[jetcone]

Oo oo

nice suds cakelette !!

 

 

[marks]

My washer is 92 years old!
I got this 1922 Easy 532 in October and after a little lovin' she's been the new daily driver for 4 months now and will be so indefinitely. Before this one I used an '48 Easy for about 4 years. I love this machine!