Thread Number: 43220
Italian Fiat washer on Sale and others VTG machines ( Fiat similar of Westinghouse Laundromat)
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Post# 635691   11/1/2012 at 12:11 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Washer produced by Fiat motors around 50s.....
I don't like it but maybe someone does...



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Post# 635693 , Reply# 1   11/1/2012 at 12:15 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        
Wringer washer on sale

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One looks like a GRR machine......other one is a hoover
The GRR used to have a poor agitating action....



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Post# 635694 , Reply# 2   11/1/2012 at 12:16 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Hoover twin tub in Padova......



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Post# 635695 , Reply# 3   11/1/2012 at 12:18 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        
Castor

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Castor oscillating tub washer.......



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Post# 635696 , Reply# 4   11/1/2012 at 12:21 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        
Hoover keymatic

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Post# 635697 , Reply# 5   11/1/2012 at 12:25 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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And if only I had  enough space to keep it in my apt. and so use it regularly this would already be mine........
I could keep it at father's  farm house but it would see very little use

 



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This post was last edited 11/01/2012 at 12:40
Post# 635707 , Reply# 6   11/1/2012 at 12:48 (4,164 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        
N2LP!

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Man, those Maytag Wringers made it just about everywhere! This one has the pump, too. Nice. No kidding about that first one. It sure looks like a Westie. Did Westinghouse really farm out rights to manufacture in other countries like that?

That Keymatic aught to peak the interest of our U.K. Family easily enough...

RCD


Post# 635712 , Reply# 7   11/1/2012 at 13:01 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Andrew I believe Fiat had a sort of collaboration with westinghouse maybe sending parts and Fiat  building the "body" ( Fiat is a Car producer corp.), it of course have a westinghouse soul, they worked with  115 volt so surely motor was american built..... but these ones were retrieved very soon from market for many reasons, so it is a very rare machine to find here, Fiat refrigerators are more usual to be find, my friend Mary in Turin has several and also told me she also used that Fiat machine when she was young....

Fiat into appliances market lasted for very short time though


Post# 635713 , Reply# 8   11/1/2012 at 13:04 (4,164 days old) by appliguy (Oakton Va.)        
Did Westinghouse really farm out rights to manufacture in ot

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I know that Westinghouse designs were made in the UK under the English Electric name. I have seen English Electric Liberator washers and dryers that were based on the 1956-1963 Westinghouse SpaceMates. I also have seen an early 1950s English Electric Food Mixer that is a clone of my 1946-1950 Westinghouse FM-81 Food Mixer....PAT COFFEY


Post# 635716 , Reply# 9   11/1/2012 at 13:15 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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I'm not into refigerators but, maybe if you can find some models of Fiat refrigerators similar to Westie ones that would mean that actually Fiat had a collaboration with westinghouse for the appliance field...

Just try to type "frigorifero fiat" in google and find out about similar models....

 


Post# 635717 , Reply# 10   11/1/2012 at 13:16 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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I'm not into refigerators but, maybe if you can find some models of Fiat refrigerators similar to Westie ones that would mean that actually Fiat had a collaboration with westinghouse for the appliance field...

Just try to type "frigorifero fiat" in google and find out about similar models....

 


Post# 635718 , Reply# 11   11/1/2012 at 13:27 (4,164 days old) by moparguy (Virginia)        

How cool is that!!! I never knew that Fiat made appliances, even if under contract or license to another manufacturer. I wonder if it would fit in the hatch of my Fiat 500?


Post# 635723 , Reply# 12   11/1/2012 at 13:43 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Jeff, I don't think it would fit...LOL
Nor would fit in a VTG 500..... and nor in the VTG "Topolino" version which is bigger, we have both an electric blue VTG 500 and a red 500 Topolino at farm house of my father, Topolino is about being sold while the other one we will keep it to use as "emeregency car", my father owns others 4 cars, not sure what emergency we can have....
Topolino is too much trouble for manteinance....


Post# 635755 , Reply# 13   11/1/2012 at 17:17 (4,164 days old) by liberator1509 (Ireland)        
GRR machine

Hi there

The 'GRR machine' is a BTH (British Thomson-Houston) washing machine - one of many export variant names used by AEI for in this case a model sold in the UK as the Hotpoint Empress. AEI did not have rights to the Hotpoint brand outside the UK until the 1970s, so models were exported under other names including BTH, GALA, English Electric and others.

Its agitation and turnover was very good, but looks quite gentle on the surface as the gyrator (based on the earliest Maytag form) has low level fins.

Who/what are GRR?

D :-)


Post# 635763 , Reply# 14   11/1/2012 at 18:20 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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So not a GRR well better so!  I remember I've seen once a machine similar to that one named GRR, I may be confusing a little that is why I said "looks-like" .....   I don't understand your speech about surface and agitation...but if you say it have a nice washing action I believe and of course have nothing to do with GRR machines.
All I know about  GRR is that they have a bad agitation,  so better so if it is not a GRR.
Who are GRR? I do not know.....
Here is a video of a GRR washer and their ridicolous agiation:

Oh and thanks for the info!



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Post# 635767 , Reply# 15   11/1/2012 at 18:29 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Hey no wait, now I remember! I was told  that  GRR was a washer manufacturer of Turin Italy!


Post# 635770 , Reply# 16   11/1/2012 at 18:46 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Did a quick online research for GRR trying to rescue some info, I never cared that much as you can undersrand I don't like these machines and in my mind I catalogued GRR as "shit",  all I could find is an  old ad that advertise an externally cute "twin tub" similar of an Easy with the spinner, I bet it does not have the "Spiralator" though!  And is bad at agitation like the GRR machines I used to see......
Anyway looks that what it was told to me is the truth as the as says: "GRR Torino" so the company was in Turin....


Post# 635780 , Reply# 17   11/1/2012 at 19:17 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Maybe some italian or vicinities members might be interested in this Fides H axis Top loader also....
Same of Ignis....my paternal Granma had one of these back in the early 70s that came in the house my granparents bought by the sea near portofino....

Granma always complained about this machine and they got another  one as soon as they could....



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Post# 635786 , Reply# 18   11/1/2012 at 19:32 (4,164 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Riber machine sold as a CGE

Pricey though!



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Post# 635819 , Reply# 19   11/1/2012 at 21:56 (4,164 days old) by moparguy (Virginia)        

Freddy, perhaps it will fit in a 500L which is due in US dealers by spring!


Post# 635824 , Reply# 20   11/1/2012 at 22:35 (4,164 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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Sweet Fiat!  I wonder if they would just sell the door-glass if nobody wants the whole machine?


Post# 635852 , Reply# 21   11/2/2012 at 02:53 (4,164 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))        

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GRR--- oh no, that's not a ripoff of Easy. [rolleyes]

Perusing the definitions of "fiat", never could figure why a company would name themselves that.


Post# 635880 , Reply# 22   11/2/2012 at 07:56 (4,164 days old) by chris74 ()        
I like that FIAT machine

Wonder how it works. My Italian is very poor so is it in working order? 1.500 Euros is a very steep price.

Post# 635895 , Reply# 23   11/2/2012 at 09:51 (4,164 days old) by hydralique (Los Angeles)        
Fiat . . .

is an acronym, standing for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino.


Post# 635946 , Reply# 24   11/2/2012 at 15:13 (4,163 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Yes Hydralique is correct, the acronym in english would sound like: "Italian Car Factory Torino".....
Jeff, did not know the existence of this new model, you know I'm mostly into classic cars.....then Fiat is a mark I don't particularly like, I prefer way more American cars.....
But if you say that would likely fit I believe in you as you're talking about  a thing that I don't even seen, or maybe yes but didn't care so for sure you're more wise than me on this subject....
Hope you're happy with your 500, a coworker got a 500 abarth and he says it  is just nice, tiny cars those fiat, but you know here  Italy  and europe generally is famous for small cars even because europ and especially  Italy got the smallest streets! My father owns a Mercedes ML and  a Nissan Truck also and sometimes in certain places is really an enterprise to deal with such tiny streets with those cars! Not to mention parking in a city like Milan, if you think in NYC is difficult for traffic and parking  just try the jam  in Milan or worse Genua! LOL
Gan, unfortunately those sellers looks like they're making a favour selling that machine, they does not even offer the availability for shipping, which is stupid since they ask that much.
They're asking 1500 euros for that so I can be almost sure they would not of course pull out the glass of it to sell alone, that would make drop the value of the "treasure" they believe to own, I can't disagree with the fact that it is very rare, but 1500 is such a crazy cost!
Chirs I will attach a translation of description of the ad for you, BTW I noticed just now that it is also on ebay at 1000 euros with a "make offer" so looks like they're realizing that is not that treasure they believed....
Description:  
Wanted  and  very rare!
Fiat washer of the 50s
washer produced but  withdrawn from  the market cuz too expensive.
I only have seen one at Fiat museum!

I believe it still works, hot and cold fill, to expose in museums.
Ppwer supply 110-120 V
A fe small rusting but a small painting would fix it.
I sell to make space!

price 1500.00

I do not ship.

Contact Paolo at:  348/8832808


The story he explained about cost is not totally true even if it played a good part in the cause their production gor stopped.
Chris they believe it works, I believe  they didn't try it though LOL, the possible buyer will likely  need one of those bulky converter probably 600- 800 watts at least,  not a travel one  even if some models arrives to convert till 2500 watts like some ones I have..... the motor may also suffer  the difference of hertz also so you  may need to get one converter which converts hertz also, in my house we have three 2500 watts  converters, they can be relatively cheap on ebay, often available from US or Britain.....
Arbilab, of course it is different from an easy, I  mean... I never said  it is identical but just similar about the type,  I think you can't disclaim that it is not a square twin tub but it resembles the easy  about shaping (just to make an example),  so with it's differences of course, never said it is the exact spitting of an easy, like indeed the Fiat  with Westinghouse, BTW never said that for the Fiat and Westie as well....




This post was last edited 11/02/2012 at 15:46
Post# 635959 , Reply# 25   11/2/2012 at 16:45 (4,163 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

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That Fiat washer, AWESOME, but 1500 Euros?   Holy Moly that is $1925.00!!!!   OUCH!

 

= = = = = = = = =  

 

I thought FIAT stood for Fix It Again Tony.

 

(ducks & runs........)

 

 


Post# 635960 , Reply# 26   11/2/2012 at 16:51 (4,163 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Ahahahahahahah!!!
This is good!


Post# 635963 , Reply# 27   11/2/2012 at 16:57 (4,163 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Yes you're totally right! It is just too expensive! now is on ebay at 1000 buy it now and make offer also......they probably would let ir run away for 800 euros...I don't think less....it is anyway too much considering it would  need a partial restoration....


Post# 635969 , Reply# 28   11/2/2012 at 17:29 (4,163 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Found this   1957 fiat AD on ebay, I'm sure I've seen this machine somewhere but I can't really find out which it was.....a westie as well?


Post# 635970 , Reply# 29   11/2/2012 at 17:36 (4,163 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Oh yes a westie as well!


Post# 635976 , Reply# 30   11/2/2012 at 18:04 (4,163 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        
Stop drooling, Kevin!

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You're going to short out your iPod... LOL!

RCD


Post# 635982 , Reply# 31   11/2/2012 at 18:28 (4,163 days old) by moparguy (Virginia)        

Yes Kevin and Freddy I know the Fiat lingo... but hey, it adds character and charm... that's why I also have a Renault R5 (or as they say, 'LeCar'). But for a big dependable American car, a Chrysler with fins wins!



Post# 635998 , Reply# 32   11/2/2012 at 19:12 (4,163 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Yes that is funny! Made me laugh so much! It surely add a note though as you say.
I gotta admit that these new 500s looks very solid and well made cars so I guess Tony actually should  not see much work LOL, this at least for what today they call "solid", you know today is all about plastic and more plastic (like for appliances on the other hand.....) and crappy complicated and delicate electronic engines and stuff that get broken easily...
Sad to say, but those new Fiat looks way more solid that modern Ford cars they sell here, at least from what I can see and hear, my sister got a new Fiesta 1 year ago.....she had a small crash/plugging  and front was half destroyed, a thing like that with a car of the past would have caused just a scratch! Also that car featured some problems to electronic stuff and had to bring to repair several times....
And heard of  these electronic problems several times with Ford cars.....
My 1996 VolksWagen  polo I bought used for 300 euros is going strong now after having spent 800 euros of repairs, it only had few KM was of an old lady and treated it nicely, if only she knew that oil needed to be changed regularly! LOL But motor is okay now and was anyway a good deal! This let you understand how stronger were cars  even of not so long ago than ones of  today! Just 2 oil changes since 1996 is not a thing modern cars would take and still work  with just a camshaft+valvs replaced!  I like it, and at least is a pretty strong car that does not suffer of a minimal collision.....
My dream cars would be many....but impossible to manage and to use in this country for too many reasons....




This post was last edited 11/02/2012 at 19:32
Post# 636024 , Reply# 33   11/2/2012 at 20:53 (4,163 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
For the archives....

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The Fiat / Westinghouse washing machine!


Post# 636026 , Reply# 34   11/2/2012 at 20:54 (4,163 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

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I'm guessing my washer is a little older as it does not have the chrome ring around the window.

 

Kevin


Post# 636029 , Reply# 35   11/2/2012 at 21:21 (4,163 days old) by moparguy (Virginia)        

Kevin, yours are an awesome pair (the photos in the other string) and this is so cool to see the two virtual Westinghouse/Fiat twins here!



Post# 636315 , Reply# 36   11/4/2012 at 07:35 (4,162 days old) by chris74 ()        
It will need new paint

120 V? I thought Italy is the same as here, 220 V...

Post# 636374 , Reply# 37   11/4/2012 at 09:19 (4,162 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Yes of course in  Italy there is 240 volt only now like all the Europe, but as said since it's motor and internal  parts comes from a Westinghouse, so american built I guess, it does work with 120 volt (at least this is what they say in the ad, so I go by guessing), remember though that in 50s and 60s, this at least in Italy it was usual to find double voltage supply in certain  homes/areas, remember also that in certain parts of the country electric land  lines made their input just in mid  60s in urban areas,  much later in rural areas and sometimes never.... certain homes or neighborhood in rural communities were provided with generators producing both 220 and 120 volt current for the area managed and provided/rented by the electric companies and or managed and owned by the neighborhood community, for example, my father's farm had his own generator till 3 years ago providing electricity to all the sorrounding area and farms,  every home/property was provided with a current-o-meter to calculate and divide expenses at next fuel fill, this became not worth it during last years because of fuel  cos tand fuel refill/transport cost,   so they collected money  to Enel to build a land line for that area, anyway  it is not unusual to find VTG small appliances made in Italy running on 120 volt or double voltage switch, such as as VTG hair dryers, coffee grinders, Irons etc.....
You  now will wonder......and for those having 240 volt only? How could that washer run?  Well the problem was solved with a  transformer for sure, and I guess it was provided with the machine.....
In Italy many american made appliances and product were imported in those years, maybe was the only european country doing that,  Italy initially preferred buy  american rather than german products,  probably because  of the malevolence toward Germany  and Germans that until few years before,  really did a mess and deaths over here with Nazi occupation,  then  germans were  defeated and Italy  was liberated and  helped by americans...
But I don't want bother you with History.....
Then the american importing stopped because of many reasons including competitive prices (of course) of german and italian appliances, in the meantime Italy grew up and started producing their own appliances during late 50s  early 60s (often following and copying the german models)  and  this with economical boom in 60s, it is not a case all italian appliance manufactures started exporting machines just during 60s while german ones were into exporting already since the early 50s... ....  about foreign appliances the  german appliances became the majority over here after that, italians made their machines to work with the europe-wide  standardized current voltage  so 120 volt supplies were definitely abandoned.....


Post# 636465 , Reply# 38   11/4/2012 at 12:53 (4,161 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        
Looks like fiat then only imported them with the Westinghous

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Here is a video I found of an Italian guy (not sure if he is a member here) that owns a later model of Westinghouse, a Westinghouse in full!



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