Thread Number: 58741  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Vintage Australian adverts - fantastic resource!
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 813047   3/9/2015 at 13:06 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi all.

Stumbled across this excellent website over the weekend. Its part of the National Library of Australia and contains digitised magazines and newspapers, with a search function.

Obviously being in the UK, I have been searching out adverts for the many clones of machines that were sold in Australia, but which originated in the UK.

Some of the adverts I have stumbled across are fantastic and offer an insight into versions of models that we had in the UK, but which were sold in Australia under the guises of GEC and Wilkins-Servis. Obviously Hoover are there too.

I attach links below to some of these great adverts - happy browsing :-)

Paul
p.s no copyright infringement intended - too good a research tool not to tell you all about though. With thanks to the NLA.





Post# 813049 , Reply# 1   3/9/2015 at 13:09 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Hotpoint Liberators become GEC Liberators

...

CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813050 , Reply# 2   3/9/2015 at 13:10 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
English Electric Reversomatic ....



CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813052 , Reply# 3   3/9/2015 at 13:13 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
later machines sold as GEC

before the purple Liberators were introduced

CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813053 , Reply# 4   3/9/2015 at 13:16 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Hoover Matchboxes....

become the Spacemakers

CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813055 , Reply# 5   3/9/2015 at 13:18 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Full report on Hoover dishwashers

..

CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813056 , Reply# 6   3/9/2015 at 13:20 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
The Hoover 455

the Australia only Matchbox, that replaced the UK imported 3236H ...

CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813057 , Reply# 7   3/9/2015 at 13:23 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
GEC Reversomatic & dryer

..

CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813059 , Reply# 8   3/9/2015 at 13:25 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Wilkins Servis Mk3 Twin tub

..

CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813060 , Reply# 9   3/9/2015 at 13:26 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Wilkins Servis twin tub

In the UK we had white, whilst in Australia there was Pink, purple, orange, yellow .....

CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813063 , Reply# 10   3/9/2015 at 13:35 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Wilkins Servis - the 1975 Range

Hopefully someone will clear this up. When I saw this advert I was surprised to say the least.
Servis UK, until they began producing regular height machines, only ever produced one compact Supadry.

This advert appears to show TWO different Wilkins Servis compact Supadry's, with subtle differences in the fascia. Anyone know what the two versions were and the differences between them were?


CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813065 , Reply# 11   3/9/2015 at 13:38 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

That's all from me.

There are also a handful of Zodiac adverts and other Wilkins Servis toploader adverts, but I stupidly didn't save the links.

Thanks to the National Library of Australia for providing such an excellent resource.

Wish we had something similar over here.
Paul


Post# 813078 , Reply# 12   3/9/2015 at 14:22 (3,306 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
Aussie Ads

vacbear58's profile picture
That was a good piece of detective work Paul.

The earlier Hotpoints (supermatics and fridges) were branded under the Gala name although with some differences





I think though that the HP 1600 that turned up a few years back in Malta(?) was branded GEC too. I would not have thought the EE branding on the Reversomat would have done much for the sales.

Wilkins Servis - "In the UK we had white, whilst in Australia there was Pink, purple, orange, yellow " - no mention of what the orange was but the others were Mulberry Mist, Mod yellow & Wind Cherry (sounds like fabric softener!). Interesting too the polypropylene tub, I think here it was vitreous enamel until the end - and we have the rusted through tubs to prove it! Curious that the twinnies are available in colours but the automatics are not, I wonder why? And like you I wonder what the differences in the Supa-Drys was.

Hoover Spacemakers were fridges in the UK - another example of how Hoover re-cycled different product names across different products in different countries.

Excellent information, thanks Paul

Al


Post# 813081 , Reply# 13   3/9/2015 at 15:04 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi Al.
Just did a quick search for GALA and GALAMATIC came up, in the form of a rebadged Hotpoint 1400.
No sign of the Hotpoint 1600 - expected it to come under GEC, but appears that Australia had the EE Liberators, then the Reversomatic and then on to the purple Liberators, missing out the fabled 1600. anyone able to confirm?

I didn't expect English Electric to have been heavily marketed over there in the 60s, so was surprised when the Reversomatic turned up. Lots of refrigeration though.

I like the pink one best :-) Is that Mulberry?

Paul


Post# 813094 , Reply# 14   3/9/2015 at 15:43 (3,306 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Just one more....

The Philips 1980/81 Range, containing their Hoover Zodiac clone ...

CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813100 , Reply# 15   3/9/2015 at 16:13 (3,306 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)        
Great finds Paul.

mayfan69's profile picture
Hi Paul,

Great find! The last time i checked that website, there wasn't a lot on it, but obviously its been a work in progress.

Many of those 'Wilkins Servis' adverts i have in hardcopy: years ago i spent 3 months going through all the microfilm they had and slowly bought the old Women's Weekly magazines. I have a 'Coppertone' twin tub and eventually access to Avocado green and Mod Yellow twin tubs as well. From this same source, i'll also get access to a Galamatic twin tub!

What is the 'Hotpoint 1600' you made mention of?

Cheers
Leon


Post# 813112 , Reply# 16   3/9/2015 at 17:06 (3,306 days old) by triumphdolomite (Staffs(UK))        
English Electric Australia

Paul
The EE Rail Traction Division certainly had a plant in Australia making the same range of diesel engines as the UK and building locomotives, I think they also had the Power Generation Division for power station equipment so I wouldn't be too surprised if the Domestic Appliance division were based there too. Although I don't recall seeing any reference to this in the copies the EE house magazines, English Electric and It's People, that I have. Off the top of my head I think the location may have been called Rocklea.
Ian


Post# 813164 , Reply# 17   3/9/2015 at 23:26 (3,306 days old) by mattywashboy (Perth, Western Australia)        

mattywashboy's profile picture
Oh WOW!

This is an awesome website :-)

I can tell im going to spend quite a lot of time searching for as much as I can laundry related :-)

Already found a few gems . THose Philips machines look great. I'm curious about the twin tub, I remember seeing one on the side of the road a few years ago but didn't investigate it too much.


Post# 813179 , Reply# 18   3/10/2015 at 01:01 (3,306 days old) by mattywashboy (Perth, Western Australia)        

mattywashboy's profile picture
I didn't know there were machines here labelled as Hotpoint? It does say Hotpoint Galamatic. I love the look of this twin tub, quite different from other Hotpoints i'm more familiar with...

CLICK HERE TO GO TO mattywashboy's LINK


Post# 813180 , Reply# 19   3/10/2015 at 01:05 (3,306 days old) by mattywashboy (Perth, Western Australia)        

mattywashboy's profile picture
The infamous Lightburn 'paddle' twin tub.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO mattywashboy's LINK


Post# 813192 , Reply# 20   3/10/2015 at 04:52 (3,306 days old) by twinniefan (Sydney Australia)        
Philips range

twinniefan's profile picture

Hi Matt,

The Philips range were basically rebadged Hoovers the top loaders were clones of the Hoover 720 and 730 (I think), the F.L. is a rebadged Zodiac 12, however the t.t. was not a rebadged Hoovermatic it was very similar to a Hitachi or Samsung t.t.

One of my previous neighbours used to own one.

They were called the Gentle Care range and had the claim you could wash a towelette in any of them and it would not rip apart.

The wash action were described as "Spiral Tumble" action for the T.L.'S, "reversing pulsator" action for the t.t. and "Pendulum Tumble." for the F.L.

They were lovely looking machines.

Cheers.

Steve.


Post# 813202 , Reply# 21   3/10/2015 at 06:03 (3,306 days old) by mattywashboy (Perth, Western Australia)        

mattywashboy's profile picture
I thought I could see a similarity Steve :-)

Post# 813210 , Reply# 22   3/10/2015 at 07:14 (3,306 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Trove

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Fantastic thread Paul - well done, Ohh Supertwins in colour!!

What a resource to have at our fingertips, its projects like these that need to be funded, although was in a digitalisation debate with a curatorial team the other day and many are now going back to printing out pictures traditionally to keep as well. This is because we cannot be certain how long this type of digital output can last (apparently not forever) and say in a 100 years would we have the type of media player that could access and read / view them.....makes sense as we have already had to map from floppy discs external drives and earlier types...

Great searches on all washing machines, vacuum cleaners particularly Electrolux and powders etc...



CLICK HERE TO GO TO chestermikeuk's LINK


Post# 813217 , Reply# 23   3/10/2015 at 07:58 (3,306 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Love that slogan

jetcone's profile picture

it should go on a tee shirt 

"Up, flop. Up Flop"

And that Rinso ad the whole thing is so cool! Happy Suburban Aussie's taking delivery of new consumer durables delivered by Happy Uniformed Men !! 

 

OH what a world !!

 

 


Post# 813219 , Reply# 24   3/10/2015 at 08:20 (3,306 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
That's really a fun site, you could get lost for hours in that collection!

How did the Lightburn Paddle TT work? Does anyone have one? It looks unique (like their H-axis TT) but I think I'm leaning toward a Servis in purple, because, purple!


Post# 813263 , Reply# 25   3/10/2015 at 14:27 (3,305 days old) by Brisnat81 (Brisbane Australia)        

Hi Greg

I've got two paddle driven lightburns.

The gearbox is just like on a normal agitator machine but the arc is less than 90deg and the power is driven via a long chrome shaft a bit like what you'd find on a boat rudder.

They work quite well but servicing requires removal of the cabinet. The pumps were a very week component on these. They are pot metal and prone to disintegrating. Electrolux had a pump rebuilt kit for years that replaced most components with plastic ones (my haxis twinnie has a rebuilt pump)

I'd made a video years ago when YouTube was in its infancy. I'll see if I can find it

Cheers

Nathan


Post# 813320 , Reply# 26   3/10/2015 at 20:56 (3,305 days old) by mattywashboy (Perth, Western Australia)        

mattywashboy's profile picture
Searching through the Museum of Victoria's archives yields some good results too, lots of advertising material on Lightburns and even Naco's. See link below...

CLICK HERE TO GO TO mattywashboy's LINK


Post# 813431 , Reply# 27   3/11/2015 at 16:44 (3,304 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi Leon.

3 months going through microfilm!

A few years ago, myself and Rob went to the University of Worcester who are the custodians of the KAYS Catalogue collection. Three hours later, a few thousand photographs later and a very sore back from being craned over catalogue after catalogue.
Machines that we hadn't seen for years and a few new ones never seen before - I can well imagine the excitement felt as you stumbled across all the classic Australian machines, hidden in the microfilm.

It really is great seeing all these great adverts - have found a few more myself this evening!

Paul
p.s the image below is of the UK's fabled Hotpoint 1600 - introduced in 1969 and the fastest spinning automatic on the market at 1100rpm. Reason for it being mentioned earlier, was whether this machine was sold in Australia or not? I think general consensus seems to be that it wasn't. Able to confirm either way?


Post# 813433 , Reply# 28   3/11/2015 at 16:50 (3,304 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
The slant front Keymatic

Was it still sold under the guises of models 3224 and later 3226?

CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813434 , Reply# 29   3/11/2015 at 16:54 (3,304 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Wilkins-Servis

...

CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813436 , Reply# 30   3/11/2015 at 16:58 (3,304 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Wilkins-Servis again

...

CLICK HERE TO GO TO matchboxpaul's LINK


Post# 813437 , Reply# 31   3/11/2015 at 17:02 (3,304 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
That mystery SupaDry

Has anyone any knowledge of the two versions of Wilkins-Servis Supadry, which appear in the advert shown below.

Really was a surprise to see two different models, as the UK only ever had one compact offering of this design, at any one time ...


Post# 813438 , Reply# 32   3/11/2015 at 17:05 (3,304 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Here is the UK version, known as Mk75, with styling akin to the machine sat above the matching washing machine. The UK washer was Mk72 - did they retain the same 'Mk' numbers, when of sale in Australia?

Post# 813439 , Reply# 33   3/11/2015 at 17:08 (3,304 days old) by Vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
Keymatic

vacbear58's profile picture
Paul
The slant front Keymatic was sold in Australia, don't know about wide body or matchbox Keymatics
Al


Post# 813455 , Reply# 34   3/11/2015 at 18:56 (3,304 days old) by mielerod69 (Australia)        
Westinghouse Laundromat

mielerod69's profile picture
My favourite toploader. This model also had a heater.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO mielerod69's LINK


  View Full Size
Post# 813456 , Reply# 35   3/11/2015 at 18:58 (3,304 days old) by mielerod69 (Australia)        
Westinghouse Laundromat 1969

mielerod69's profile picture


CLICK HERE TO GO TO mielerod69's LINK


  View Full Size
Post# 813458 , Reply# 36   3/11/2015 at 19:01 (3,304 days old) by mielerod69 (Australia)        
Westinghouse dishwasher

mielerod69's profile picture
I believe this was made by Philips

CLICK HERE TO GO TO mielerod69's LINK


  View Full Size
Post# 813460 , Reply# 37   3/11/2015 at 19:10 (3,304 days old) by mielerod69 (Australia)        
Westinghouse Laundromat 1974

mielerod69's profile picture


CLICK HERE TO GO TO mielerod69's LINK


  View Full Size
Post# 813461 , Reply# 38   3/11/2015 at 19:11 (3,304 days old) by mielerod69 (Australia)        
Westinghouse Laundromat 1960

mielerod69's profile picture
This model also came with a heater. Interestingly it's not a slant front.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO mielerod69's LINK


  View Full Size
Post# 813488 , Reply# 39   3/11/2015 at 20:43 (3,304 days old) by arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)        
Don't forget Sexy Simpsons!



Post# 813489 , Reply# 40   3/11/2015 at 20:44 (3,304 days old) by arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)        
Simpson Range 1977



Post# 813491 , Reply# 41   3/11/2015 at 20:46 (3,304 days old) by arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)        



Post# 813508 , Reply# 42   3/11/2015 at 21:51 (3,304 days old) by mielerod69 (Australia)        
Price of the washing machines

mielerod69's profile picture
Interesting that in 1977 a Simpson cost $489. Using the RBA inflation calculator, this would cost $2,555 in 2014, sorry doesn't go to 2015 yet. Back then machines lasted a long time and were built properly, not the plastic junk they make today. So a Speed Queen at $2,295 is not a bad buy for a quality machine that will outlast probably 3 to 4 Simpson washing machines today!

Post# 813511 , Reply# 43   3/11/2015 at 21:58 (3,304 days old) by mielerod69 (Australia)        
Talk about opening a can of worms!

mielerod69's profile picture
I was googling for the Hoover 585 and found this link. The zoom feature is pretty cool so you can get a better idea of the control panel.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO mielerod69's LINK


Post# 813526 , Reply# 44   3/11/2015 at 22:52 (3,304 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Thanks for the link to those washer pics - the zoom feature is amazingly cool!

This GE is a machine to make a washerboy melt! Ugh. I want one.


  View Full Size
Post# 813531 , Reply# 45   3/11/2015 at 23:55 (3,304 days old) by mielerod69 (Australia)        
GE

mielerod69's profile picture
Hi gansky1,

My Godmother had this model when I was little and I remember standing on a stool and watching it go through the cycle. It also had a mini basket.


Post# 813544 , Reply# 46   3/12/2015 at 01:10 (3,304 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)        
GE, Hoover 585 and Hotpoint 1600

mayfan69's profile picture
Hi Gan and Rod,

Nathan has one of those GE's and its in great condition!

As for the 585, a dream machine for sure: the closet i have got is the 565.

Paul: I don't think that Hotpoint was ever sold here, not from what i can see. The other UK Hotpoint's we got were the top loader's rebaded as 'Leonard' and 'Kelvinator'.

Cheers
Leon


Post# 813551 , Reply# 47   3/12/2015 at 03:34 (3,304 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
Keymatic In Australia

vacbear58's profile picture
Just to back up what I said up the thread about the Keymatic

The implication is that the earlier 3224 model had also been on sale - this ad is from 1965





Its great to hear from Australians who are coming forward with such interesting stuff


Post# 813552 , Reply# 48   3/12/2015 at 03:42 (3,304 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
Rinso

vacbear58's profile picture
Although focussing on Simpson, there is a shot of quite a few models from 1960. I recognise a Wilkins Servis Superheat, an Empress (looks like it is branded as Hotpoint too), Hoovermatic and I would sweat there is a Thor in the lower left hand side as the camera zooms in on the Simpson. Its not very clear but there may be a Malleys Whirlpool in the back row as well.






Post# 813555 , Reply# 49   3/12/2015 at 05:26 (3,304 days old) by twinniefan (Sydney Australia)        
Hotpoint in Australia

twinniefan's profile picture
Hi Guys,
As best as I can remember Hotpoint didn't do washers here in Australia, they were known however for a range of small kitchen and heating appliances, most famous item I think was the Hotpoint Combination Grill, which was basically an upright grilling machine which had a drip tray underneath for fat and oils to drip out, they also made some electric jugs, the old drop down door toasters and a few electric radiant heaters.
Now I know I am showing my age here, but their commercials, especially for the above mentioned combination grill were done by an actress called Gwen Plumb.
Leonard was a clone brand for Kelvinator in both washers and fridges, and Kelvinator/Leonard did some ads featuring the British comedian Dick Emery.
I know there is one of these old Kelvinator fridge ads on Youtube with Mr. Emery.
Boy this thread is really bringing back some memories, i especially liked the Westinghouse ad Mielerod posted with the daschund dog in it, he reminds me of my first ever dog, a beautiful daschund called Jaime.
Also in that ad noticed the original liquid Aura and the original Napisan box and Softly.


Post# 813557 , Reply# 50   3/12/2015 at 05:40 (3,304 days old) by twinniefan (Sydney Australia)        
Apologies

twinniefan's profile picture
I must apologise and correct myself, I just did a quick search and discovered the Hotpoint Combination Grill, was in fact named the Hotpoint Vertical Grill.
Sorry for any confusion.


Post# 813566 , Reply# 51   3/12/2015 at 08:15 (3,304 days old) by gizmo (Victoria, Australia)        

we had both Keymatic 3224 and 3226, but no matchbox Keymatics.

never seen the Hotpoint 1100rpm front loader with controls on top, though I have seen and owned a purple door Hotpoint, badged here as GEC.



Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy