I could not believe my eyes!!!!!


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Thread Number: 6632
I could not believe my eyes!!!!!

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Post# 132986 6/3/2006 at 20:29 (6,536 days old) by simpsomatic (Melb, Aust-now Palm Springs,US)
Checkrate/Likes I cannot believe my eyes either, I am an ex aussie circa 50's, this Bendix wobbly agitator machine was made in Aussie under the name of "HEALING". They produced TV's, refridge and the "THOR" brand washing machines. The equivalent to the BENDIX you have found was the "HEALING THOR TRIMATIC". The picture of the day has shown the very model built in the 50's. Surgent wash was the advertisement. The TRI was to define that you could use the machine as an automatic, a semi-automatic (remember the Fridigaire from Aussie a few days ago) or you could simply use the machine as manual, wash, rinse or spin at your liesure. The company advertised the machine as an 18 minute wash. Left dial, Hot, Warm or Cold fill, manual...you had to wait to it filled up (solid bowl) then you selected "warm rinse wash" or cold rinse wash". This determined the temprature for the 10 minute overflow rinse after the desired time chosen for wash. Right knob was actually a knob with a back band. Turn the right dial and select 5 minute wash. Dial advanced to overflow rinse (no spin) water runs per selection for 10 minutes then the machine advanced directly into spin. Remember I said the dial had a secondary band, well thats where you chose the length of the spin. You could adjust the band from 2 to 8 minutes for final spin. Hence if you dialed 3 minutes your complete wash was done in 18 minutes and you cannot believe how clean it was. The comapny made machines in three categories, the automatic I have talked about, a completely semi automatic (timer on left side), right side dial - wash, rinse (timer did not function because of the flowing water for overflow rinse) and Spin. They also made an entry machine by the name of "La Ronde" an updated round version similiar to the "Thor" washers in U.S. Tower with dial on front - wash, spin and if you were wealthy enough back then you could get the model with a heater. Hot water in my town in the 50's was a luxury. I have a lot to tell you about what I remember about all the machines I grew up with....my name...Simpsomatic, machines made by Simpson, two levels, auto and semi automatic. Yes, like a lot of you I was chased out of laundry rooms and neighbors wash houses for playing with the dials, no-one had any idea I was facinated by the mechanics of the modern world not the dainties that they thought I was looking for. Go for it, someone needs to get this Bendix and add it to their collection or to mine, I am in Palm Springs, CA. If there is anyway someone can help me purchase this machine and get it here I probably will not care what it costs. I was recently at the wash-in in Tuscon and want to become a member of your group. The Australian washing machine list is extensive and I would like to share it with you all.

Post# 132997 , Reply# 1 6/3/2006 at 22:24 (6,536 days old) by dick_s. ()
Checkrate/Likes And I can't believe my eyes either! Is this WHO I think it is? Well, congrats-you finally took the plunge! Dick

Post# 133016 , Reply# 2 6/3/2006 at 23:20 (6,536 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ)
Checkrate/Likes *Woo-hoo!* Hi, Rodney! Good to "see" you again!! :-D --Nate

Post# 133059 , Reply# 3 6/4/2006 at 08:00 (6,535 days old) by westyslantfront ()
Checkrate/Likes Hi Rodney. Welcome to the club. I am sure you saw pictures of the Thor. Mechanic is coming this Tuesday to pick it up and bring it down the shop. It spins but it doesn't agitate. Roger, Nate, and Manny (mechanic) say this it is fixable. Again, WELCOME TO THE CLUB. Ross

Post# 133085 , Reply# 4 6/4/2006 at 13:37 (6,535 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)
Checkrate/Likes *welcome, dude* Aussie machines--and they're all new to me--are amazing; such flexibility, variety, and originality; so many washer fetishes combined; makes me really think that our puritanical rigidity affected even our washing designs. Three cheers for our wild, free brothers and sisters from Down Under--funny how the machines reflect the culture. All the Aussies here are wonderful, friendly, and funny. I'm kinda new so you probably already know Gizmo and the gang. I like the machines you do, and can't wait to learn more. Mikey

Post# 133213 , Reply# 5 6/5/2006 at 07:12 (6,534 days old) by mooney ()
Checkrate/Likes *Hi Simpsonmatic* I was a member of the group a few years ago but somehow my profile disappeared from the list. I have re-joined and written a bit about some of the machines I remember in the 60's. Great to know that someone else has fond memories of the older Simpson washing machines. When I was going to school in the 60's the brand names that I can remember seeing in the local department stores such as David Jones or Grace Bros were: Malleys Whirlpool, Simpson, Frigidaire, Kelvinator, Westinghouse, Wilkins Servis, Hoover, Lightburn, Turner, Bendix, Pope, Parnel, Thor, Easy. Many of these were manufactured in Australia.Sadly now there is only one manufacturer based in Australia but foreign owned (Electrolux) making the brands Simpson and Westinghouse but these do not resemble the old Simpson or Westinghouse. Greg

Post# 133253 , Reply# 6 6/5/2006 at 10:01 (6,534 days old) by simpsomatic (Melb, Aust-now Palm Springs,US)
Checkrate/Likes Greg, Don't forget....Naco, H.G. Palmer, Stampco and Astor.

Post# 133605 , Reply# 7 6/6/2006 at 06:01 (6,533 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)
Checkrate/Likes *Hello Rodney and Greg...another Aussie here!* Hello Rodney and Greg, Good to see a couple more Aussies on here! While being a few years younger than you guys, i remember the brands you mention Greg as a kid! I was fascinated to read about the Simpson Fluid Drive your mother had, i think the exact model i'm trying to find: was it an all push button model? Nathan (Brisnat) and I have found some beauties and continue to do so. Look forward to chatting on the site. Here's a 1963 Simpson Fluid Drive i found. Regards Leon

Post# 133607 , Reply# 8 6/6/2006 at 06:02 (6,533 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)
Checkrate/Likes *Interior Shot!* Here's an interior shot..

Post# 133941 , Reply# 9 6/7/2006 at 01:42 (6,533 days old) by mooney ()
Checkrate/Likes *Hi Leon and Rodney* It brought back memories to see the pics of the 1963 Simpson two speed. I remember those machines. Is yours in working order? At around the same time Simpson was still making wringer washers and they had the same agitator with the blue lint filter. Simpson seemed to always use fashionable butterfly knobs in the 60's. I remember a friend of my mothers had a more upmarket model and every function on the control board was selected with a butterfly knob - no push buttons at all. There was also a semi automatic model called the Simpsomatic (tag of Rodney) which had butterfly knobs also. The time line model I spoke of earlier did have all push buttons and the control panel was a sea blue and with a back light. My mother bought it in 1972 and had it until about 1992 after which purchased a Maytag. The earliest Simpson automatic I remember was a single speed belonging to a friend of mine. It was probably made in the late 50's. The controls were flat on the back of the machine and vaguely resembled the pic of the Hotpoint that I have attached. I was so fascinated with it because we only had a Westinghouse wringer machine at the time. I have no idea what they must have thought of me with my desire to always watch the washing machine in progress. The picture of the day is a General Electric Filter Flow model that I remember seeing in shops in the 60's. I have an Australia Consumers Association report which includes this model. Yes I too look forward to chatting to you about vintage machines in Australia.

Post# 133962 , Reply# 10 6/7/2006 at 06:59 (6,532 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)
Checkrate/Likes *Is it in working order?* Hi Greg, Yes, the machine is still in working order. Nathan actually found the model above this one which is self-heat. Your mother's Simpson is one i'm desperately trying to find here, but so far, no luck. I assume it must have been expensive when she bought it? I know its so many years ago now, but do you know what happened to the machine after she bought the Maytag?? Cheers Leon

Post# 134128 , Reply# 11 6/7/2006 at 18:21 (6,532 days old) by mooney ()
Checkrate/Likes *Fluid Drive* Leon, I think David Jones (the store) took it away when they delivered the Maytag. Such a shame because washing machine repairmen always told my folks that they should get the machine repaired for as long as they could because it was such a well-made model. Do you actually know what Fluid Drive meant? By the way I have looked up my Choice magazine of 1963(got it at a Choice open day a few years ago) and it has your model of Simpson in a very detailed and comprehensive test. I will make some enquiries re the Simpson model you are after. cheers, Greg

Post# 134255 , Reply# 12 6/8/2006 at 00:31 (6,532 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)
Checkrate/Likes *Thanks Greg* Hey Greg, If David Jones took it away, it would have gone to the crusher...such a pity. Yes, i have had some repairmen say the same thing, that even though they were not especially easy to work on, they lasted a very long time. "Fluid Drive" meant the way the machine transmitted power from agitation to spin, using a Fluid Drive / Clutch mechanism attached to the motor which worked on centrifugal force as i understand. You would have no idea how grateful i would be if you happened to come across one of those machines, I have even worked out the cost of freight to ship one to Brisbane and am prepared to pay the freight. What did the Choice article say about the Simpson? Regards Leon

Post# 134261 , Reply# 13 6/8/2006 at 01:58 (6,532 days old) by mooney ()
Checkrate/Likes *Choice article* Leon, The Choice article gave the Simpson and the Hoover(Keymatic) the best rating (based on washing ability. The only downgrading on the Simpson was the lack of a safety switch on the lid - all the better for us eager washingmachinephiles!! I can email you a scanned copy of most of the article. The entire report on 12 machines covered 36 pages over two issues!! regards, Greg

Post# 134579 , Reply# 14 6/9/2006 at 02:33 (6,531 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)
Checkrate/Likes *Choice Article* Hi Greg, If you're able to, i would certainly appreciate a copy of the article: my email addy is ltattis@hotmail.com Leon

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