Hey guys, need some advice. Days after we picked up the '78 1-18, a 1979 Frigidaire Crown 1-18 popped up. It too is a WC-6, but it has a ton of letters after the WC-6. It says Frigidaire on the front, and a paper model tag (not a stamped metal tag) that says it was made in Dayton by Frigidaire. It has the same controls, even has a window lid, and is an almond color.

BUT - it has a standard Agitator with a big Frigidaire logo on the top of it! The water level setting control has a picture of the agitator near it to show what setting to use. I noticed that the wash basket looked similar, and it had a different system for the water nozzle, nothing like a standard GM 1-18. Even the lid was a bit different, as this unit had a crease for your fingers the entire length of the door, and the GM version has a spot in the middle.

I figured it is a cross over machine to a WCI produced product. Is this thing worth picking up? It is in fantastic shape, hoses and all. I've never seen a 1-18 looking machine that did not have a Jet Action agitator (or better said - wasn't made by GM). Thanks!

Ben

Cool machine! Definitely worth saving if it's in good shape...it sounds like an early WCI Frigidaire made during the changeover. These had a GM-style control panel but were identical to Westinghouse TL's inside, and some came with window lids. What type of agitator does it have, ramp or straight-vane? I'm itching to know if it has that 4-jet fill nozzle as well...

Hey Austin!

Thanks for the quick response. I'm not sure what a 'ramp' agitator is, but I would describe it as very straight and narrow at the top, and Maytag powerfin-looking at the bottom. What does the 4 jet spray look like? It is fuzzy in my mind and I may have to go back tonight and take pics, but it has a nozzle on the back and to the right, and possibly something else water related on the left.

I was reading an old post of Robert's about these machines. I might be scared of offending him if we pick it up =)

Ben

Here's a 1983 ad from Rich's album of the "Quadrajet" machine. Notice the "F" on the agitator and the "Jet-Flow" lint filter as well...

They do look abominable wearing the 1-18 cabinet, but the Franklin tranny and indexing tub is fun to watch and makes for some nice waves! :)

is it possible to post a bigger picture?

It's not a real Frigidaire, it's a "Fraudgidaire." I espied one of these machines at a garage sale several years ago thinking it was one of the coveted window-lid 1-18s; I nearly crapped my pants when I discovered it had a standard oscillating agitator, not the pulsator in the real GM thing. Not worth the effort to save...

Unusual that a WCI built Frigidaire would have a tag saying Built in Dayton OH. Must be one of the first.
One other way to tell,an early WCI built Frigidaire will have a full back panel that comes off.They are known for leaking grease,check carefully.My advice is given free,value accordingly....

kennyGF

Please don't enlarge the picture it's a Disgrace to see what was done. The WCI machines were never made in dayton. That was exclusive to GM. In fact it is exactly 25 years ago that GM Frigidare came to a end. It was at the end of 1980 and the beginning of 1981 was the first appearance of the WCI frigidaire and it wasn't from Dayton. This is a time we should all morn the worst Tragedy in appliance history.
Peter

I agree Peter, a period of mourning.

still a bigger picture please

THE BIG PICTURE IS THEY are all Junk!

The hidden photo shows quality.

My 0.02 cents

Steve

The washer you have was similar to the old Westinghouse top loaders that had the "Weigh to Save" lid and "Hand Wash" agitator.As the agitator osolates,the tub turns counterclockwise.It has a "Lock & Spin" safety door and spins about 520 rpms.They were mostly a hit or miss type of machine.Most of them were dead within 10 years or less but there are still some out there that are still refusing to quit.

This is an early WCI version Frigidaire. You might want to pick it up Ben to play with, it might be fun to try, I did it once myself back about eight years ago.