Who made this washer?

[Chetlaham]

Who made this brand of washer? And what drive mechanism does it use?

 

[turquoisedude]

This was made by Camco here in Canada. The machine was a GE/Hotpoint hybrid - drive mechanism was a GE 1-belt clutch and transmission powered by a reversible motor. The Hotpoint similarity is in the filtering system; McClary washers of this generation had a rim-flo lint filtering system.   All in all they were decent machines although they were considered a low-end model here.

[this post was last edited: 11/25/2017-06:55]

 

[Chetlaham]

Thanks- much appreciated

So Camco bought the rights or GE made them for Camco? Sounds like a fun machine.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

I like the single small knob for the Water Level outside of the timer dial, which would normally be the Temperature, incorporated in the timer--that is very rare to see...

-- Dave

 

[turquoisedude]

Camco bought the design rights from GE in the 70s about the time they merged 5 Canadian brands ( GE, Hotpoint, Moffat, McClary, and Beatty). In the late 70s, Camco started making the Beaumark appliances for Simpson's and the Bay department stores.   In the early 80s, Eaton's Viking branded appliances were made by Camco also.  I don't recall exactly when Mabe from Mexico took over the Camco operations (probably mid to late 90s). Most of the brands were phased out and the whole operation shut down in Canada just a few years ago.

The McClary washers were fun - I had a washer and dryer set from McClary in the first house I rented out. They lasted longer than any set that came after...

 

[potatochips]

I think Camco existed too due to the whole lack of free trade stuff between the US and Canada at the time. I think it was cheaper to assemble them here than have the customer pay for the tariffs.

 

[turquoisedude]

Yes - much as Inglis made Whirlpool -designed appliances, it was a way to get around the old 'hidden' taxes and tariffs on imported goods.  It was a good idea overall -Canadian consumers were able to buy at lower prices than items made or assembled in the US.  That 63 Frigidaire washer I once owned still had a 'proudly made in Canada' sticker on it!

 

[Chetlaham]

Anyone know what the guts looked like? Never seen the insides of these, even on the net.

 

[Chetlaham]

Edit- never mind- its an identical GE design. My bad- was thinking of those Sanyo compacts made for GE.