Thread Number: 72643  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
POD 9/29/17 - Kelvinator laundry 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 959816   9/29/2017 at 11:22 (2,397 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

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I believe the machines in this (late 60's - early 70's?) ad are rebadged Norge machines?  The ad states "18 pounds" and "Kelvinator also make a compact 10 lb capacity washer & dryer".  



Post# 959827 , Reply# 1   9/29/2017 at 12:23 (2,397 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

Previous to these machines, Kelvinator did have Norge make a few sets for them in the late 60's to add to their line to compete with the larger capacity machines, but these were Franklin made machines and were some of the worse machines ever made after WCI took over. The washer really did hold a tremendous load of clothes, about on par with a Frigidaire 1-18 or close to it, but they were very flimsy and had a tendency to walk to the end of their water hoses when spinning. The cabinet of the machine seemed about as thin as a beer can too. The dryer was very undersized for the load the washer would hold and many had a problem with the motor overheating and shutting off long before the load was dry. You had to then wait until the motor cooled down enough to restart the dryer. The smaller version they discuss was the mechanism they used in the skinny mini after taking over Frigidaire. They later designed the large capacity machines slightly differently and decreased the capacity somewhat, but they were never much to begin with. The newer design dryer was even worse than the one pictured here. Quite a switch from the Kelvinator up to the late 60's.



This post was last edited 09/29/2017 at 13:55
Post# 959856 , Reply# 2   9/29/2017 at 18:21 (2,397 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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As with everything gobbled up by WCI:  SHUDDER!  Along with Frigidaire, Kelvinator went from having a super-cool, utterly unique wash system to...this.

 

Sadz.😢
Post# 959961 , Reply# 3   9/30/2017 at 19:37 (2,396 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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They never got much better from WCI. I had this machine in the late 80's, left in a townhouse I bought in 87. I'm surprised one is still showing up now, almost want to go have a look, just for fun.





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Post# 959968 , Reply# 4   9/30/2017 at 20:36 (2,396 days old) by agiflow2 ()        

They LOOK like nice machines, but that washing action is dismal to put it lightly. The GE, Maytag and Whirlpool he mentioned will wash circles ( no pun intended) around that tinfoil wanna be a real washer.

Post# 959975 , Reply# 5   9/30/2017 at 22:49 (2,396 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

It is also what the Frigidaire machine turned into also.....pitiful

Post# 959978 , Reply# 6   9/30/2017 at 23:01 (2,396 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)        

cheaply made but tough washers :) I have a 1989 wards version with 5-vane angel wing in my collection-rollover improves to real decent if basket held from indexing :)These washers actually do have several good points to go along with the bad: decent size clutch belt,powerful drain pump with good debris trap,tough all iron tranny,tub seal better than many,no basket or tub rust :) Distinct sound too:rrrRRRrrrRRR of tranny and water thrashing in the pump as it turns in reverse for agitate.


Post# 959979 , Reply# 7   9/30/2017 at 23:17 (2,396 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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Those Kelvinator washers were decent, but Maytag washers of the era were the best, and most reliable. I don't know how many Kelvinator washers are left from the 80's, but there are few left. Maytag machines were easier to service, and repair. Speed Queen washers of the 80's were just as good as the Maytags were.

Post# 959981 , Reply# 8   9/30/2017 at 23:41 (2,396 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)        
not quite...

 no speed queen washers ever had the quality of vintage maytags-I have a 1982 SQ "marathon"in DD use right now,and though I like that washer,it has some runs in the porcelain,an idler pulley that rattles,tub brake that rattles,and a few other gaffes that would not pass at the old maytag :)Wash performance of the old maytags has been debated though :)I have 1965 and 1975 maytags in my fleet.

Post# 959985 , Reply# 9   10/1/2017 at 00:39 (2,396 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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Speed queen washers had their quirks, but Maytag had a simple design that lasted, and lasted, and lasted forever.

Post# 960202 , Reply# 10   10/2/2017 at 10:25 (2,394 days old) by potatochips ( )        

Anyone notice the 1-18 dryers in the "Dryer quality control inspection" section of the video?

OR did anyone also notice the video hosts mention of "roll over" when the washer was "washing"? Anyone can clearly see the clothes were just moving around in a circle.

Post# 960207 , Reply# 11   10/2/2017 at 10:38 (2,394 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

The first versions of this Kelvinator washer were in the late 60's and were a different version than that of the the ones made later on in the mid to late 70's on. The first machines had an enormous tub of porcelain enamel, much bigger than the later ones and the suspension system was different also. They were very cheaply made and flimsy. The cabinet dented very easily. This never improved, but when WCI got Frigidiare they used the same suspension system that the 1-18 models and the skinny mini used for many of their washers. The Kelvinator was one of them. The suspension system was terrific that Frigidiare had designed and was used for many years after that for WCI machines. As far as Speed Queen being ANY comparison to the Maytag machines of the 60's thru the new millennium, you're dreaming.... There is just NO automatic washer that has EVER compared in durability.

Post# 960310 , Reply# 12   10/2/2017 at 22:00 (2,394 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
1967

 Was the last real Kelvinator made from the old ABC design.

Post# 1167399 , Reply# 13   12/24/2022 at 02:12 (486 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

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Yesterday’s POD was a similar product but the washer and dryer were pictured offset on the bottom right, the main center photo only shows the family and the gobs of laundry such a cheaply made set wouldn’t have gotten halfway through…

And Energy Saving? You’d be saving a TON of energy—the damn things would not WORK!!!!


— Dave


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