The pre-filter flo GE washer of 1954 was basically the same as those after the filter-flo machines of 1955 onward. Interesting that they too point out that their machine does not tangle or wad up clothing somewhat like Whirlpool of that vintage did. Apparently Frigidaire had quite a reputation of doing that already. These solid tub machines were adequate at washing, rinsing and spinning, but nothing extraordinary. Up to this model the top opening to load clothes was rather small and restrictive, in my opinion. They made the opening to load and unload larger and less restrictive around the time they introduced the filter flo feature. Filter flo became a good selling feature for GE.
A good friend of mine here found one of these cast-off on a curb a few years ago and it works fine. The Activator is a bit of a deco era looking agitator that looks really cool. The machine takes a while to get up to spin speed and when it does it is really moving. I don't know how fast it is ,however, I would say it is faster than an early Filter-Flo!