Thread Number: 88019  /  Tag: Other Home Products or Autos
One extinct feature you would revive?
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Post# 1126020   8/17/2021 at 15:27 (954 days old) by Maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)        

Other than longevity/value for money, what ONE feature per item category would you you bring back?


Refrigerators....Easy to clean, odorproof porcelain interiors!



Your turn!

Lawrence/Maytagbear







Post# 1126023 , Reply# 1   8/17/2021 at 15:40 (954 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture

Electro-mechanical timer and controls for washers, dryers, stoves and dishwashers.

 

Eddie


Post# 1126024 , Reply# 2   8/17/2021 at 15:40 (954 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
The Manual Clean Washing Machine Lint Filter…



— Dave


Post# 1126027 , Reply# 3   8/17/2021 at 16:02 (954 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)        

mrboilwash's profile picture
Infinitely variable temperature control for washers.

Post# 1126039 , Reply# 4   8/17/2021 at 17:15 (954 days old) by parunner58 (Davenport, FL)        

parunner58's profile picture
A free standing range with two ovens, where the second one is eye level. I grew up with one and we used the smaller upper oven a lot.

Post# 1126041 , Reply# 5   8/17/2021 at 17:18 (954 days old) by parunner58 (Davenport, FL)        

parunner58's profile picture
Being greedy here. With the variety of foods I cook, I would not mind if the deep well came back. It would be a nice option.

Post# 1126044 , Reply# 6   8/17/2021 at 17:31 (954 days old) by spiralator60 (Los Angeles)        

On a washer, dryer, and dishwasher, a lighted dial (electro-mechanical) or digital indicator that shows exactly where in a cycle the machine is when it is running. The digital indicator should list more than just the minutes remaining in the selected cycle.

Post# 1126055 , Reply# 7   8/17/2021 at 18:28 (954 days old) by agiflow ()        

Bring back panel lights for stove cooktops,washers and dryers and heavy porcelain enameled coatings.

Post# 1126060 , Reply# 8   8/17/2021 at 18:49 (954 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Calypso.


Post# 1126062 , Reply# 9   8/17/2021 at 18:52 (954 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
A little off topic but mid to late 60’s cars.

Post# 1126063 , Reply# 10   8/17/2021 at 18:59 (954 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture

Real steel and chrome bumpers that can withstand a minor accident without requiring two weeks in the body shop and thousands of dollars to repair.

 

And now I’ll get greedy too, put the damn headlight dimmer switch back on the left side of the floorboard where it belongs.

 

Eddie


Post# 1126066 , Reply# 11   8/17/2021 at 19:14 (954 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

repairguy's profile picture
Customer service

Post# 1126068 , Reply# 12   8/17/2021 at 19:18 (954 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        
Reply #10

maytag85's profile picture
The dimmer switch on the floor is quite useful since all you do to activate and deactivate the high beams is by pressing your left foot on the dimmer switch. It’s simple features like that, that are really useful since you don’t have to take your eyes off the road or play the guessing game where or how to activate and deactivate the high beams.

Post# 1126070 , Reply# 13   8/17/2021 at 19:46 (954 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        

qsd-dan's profile picture

Better R&D. Far too many new appliance designs are riddled with problems that should have been sorted out long before hitting the market.

 

Respect and loyalty to the customer and their own workforce. Both are viewed and treated as the enemy today.


Post# 1126077 , Reply# 14   8/17/2021 at 20:55 (954 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Flourescent lights

And a appliance outlet as standard equipment on all ranges sold.Color lighted controls for surface unit switches



Post# 1126079 , Reply# 15   8/17/2021 at 21:11 (954 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

Ranges - agree on panel light (even if LED)

Washer - lint filter

Dryer - panel light


Post# 1126094 , Reply# 16   8/18/2021 at 01:13 (954 days old) by mieleforever (SOUTH AFRICA)        

Real push button switches and controls instead of a touch screen oh yeah and analog speed dials.



Post# 1126101 , Reply# 17   8/18/2021 at 03:39 (954 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        
Regarding headlight dimmer switches...

askolover's profile picture

question...what did you do when you needed to clutch (on a manual) and dim the lights too?  I remember our 70's cars having the switch on the floor, but they were all automatics.  Since I've been driving it's been on the turn signal (or automatic on my recent Cadillacs, Lincolns, Mercedes, and Volvo).

 

 


Post# 1126119 , Reply# 18   8/18/2021 at 09:13 (954 days old) by polkanut (Wausau, WI )        

polkanut's profile picture

The GE Filter-Flo lint pan!  One of the best designs ever IMO.  And the suds-saver option.


Post# 1126130 , Reply# 19   8/18/2021 at 11:02 (953 days old) by kenwashesmonday (Carlstadt, NJ)        

Refrigerators -- The butter conditioner.

Post# 1126154 , Reply# 20   8/18/2021 at 14:27 (953 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
filter-flo technology

for better lint removal.

Post# 1126156 , Reply# 21   8/18/2021 at 14:32 (953 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
Bring back the filter-flo

lint pan, potscrubber, whirlpool power clean and clean touch laundry pairs.

Post# 1126160 , Reply# 22   8/18/2021 at 16:46 (953 days old) by luxflairguy (Wilmington NC)        

broiler pans!

Post# 1126161 , Reply# 23   8/18/2021 at 16:55 (953 days old) by UltraWash (Charlotte, North Carolina )        

Catalyst, variable water levels, and electromechanical controls.

Post# 1126163 , Reply# 24   8/18/2021 at 17:45 (953 days old) by Dermacie (my forever home (Glenshaw, PA))        

dermacie's profile picture
Mine would be Sud-Savers

Post# 1126172 , Reply# 25   8/18/2021 at 18:48 (953 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        

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true wash rinse temp for washers including hot wash warm rinse warm wash warm rinse

Post# 1126189 , Reply# 26   8/18/2021 at 20:19 (953 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

For refrigerators, wanted to mention the reach in beverage door/shelf that some older TOL side by sides (and possibly some top freezers) used to have. I think GE Profile Arctica was the last to have it.

This has somewhat been replaced by door-in-door setup though, where you push a button on the door and a separate, but large door opens, revealing the door racks shelves inside. Doesn't have the same function as a surface for filling cups or glasses though.


Post# 1126196 , Reply# 27   8/18/2021 at 21:06 (953 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
even if i already posted

pierreandreply4's profile picture
how i miss washers with matching dryers like these wish they where still made of brough back they need to think of those that do not need fancy gadgets or electronics they where also simple washers unlike todays models where everything is electronics

  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 2         View Full Size
Post# 1126201 , Reply# 28   8/18/2021 at 22:53 (953 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

I really like the look of those newer Maytags with the center dial, really retro. I've never seen that set with the (gold?) trim on the panel and dials and that trim at the bottom of the cabinet. Are those Centennials? They sure look good!

Post# 1126206 , Reply# 29   8/18/2021 at 23:37 (953 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

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Yes this was the beginning of the centennial line for maytag. These particular models were one year only and were designated 100 year anniversary. I believe they were 2007 if I remember correctly. The centennial designation started with these whirlpool built direct drives and continued into the VMW machines.

Post# 1126223 , Reply# 30   8/19/2021 at 10:24 (952 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
repairguy

pierreandreply4's profile picture
even do chance are slim and do not went to get into a debate with this i think a member here should start a change.org petition to bring back old school washers into production like speed queen did with the tc5 model in there line but thats just my own toughs speaking

Post# 1126237 , Reply# 31   8/19/2021 at 14:01 (952 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

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We can wish all we want but the days of the traditional top loader are behind us never to return again. I have enough to last me and my extended family for the rest of my life. Lol!

Post# 1126245 , Reply# 32   8/19/2021 at 15:20 (952 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

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The days of the traditional TL may be gone forever, but why can’t they once again build a traditional FL, with electro-mechanical timer and analog dial controls for water temp and water level?  

 

The Westinghouse FL’s used much less water than a TL, but still enough to actually clean and rinse thoroughly, without all the temperamental spin problems of the new electronic, computer board TL’s now sold.

 

I’d buy a machine like the old time Westinghouse or the Frigidaire FL’s  from the  late 90’s and early 2000’s, these were great machines.

 

Eddie


Post# 1126261 , Reply# 33   8/19/2021 at 17:15 (952 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

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Eddie it’s a cost thing. They can mass produce the circuit boards overseas and make them perform exactly how the engineers want them to. It’s always about the dollar.

I’m not a front loader person but I do agree that those years of the Frigidaire front loader were pretty good. There’s one that I keep going for a customer and it’s quick and effective for sure. That mechanical timer is awesome. If folks had better washing habits I believe there would still be a lot of these around because they were definitely popular in their time.


Post# 1126264 , Reply# 34   8/19/2021 at 17:35 (952 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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The only way to make appliances like they did back in the 50’s and 60’s but without charging a arm and a leg for them is to have fully automated stamping presses for various components like GM had in the film from 1959 called Up From Clay A Car Is Born.

It’s not necessarily the cost of materials but more so the labor it takes to put those all porcelain appliances together on a assembly line.


Post# 1126311 , Reply# 35   8/19/2021 at 23:44 (952 days old) by dnastrau (Lords Valley, PA)        
Headlight dimmer on the floor with a manual transmission

For reply #17...

The dimmer switch on older manual transmission American cars was still on the floor, to the left of the clutch pedal. If you needed to dim the lights and depress the clutch, you likely had to do one at a time.

My dad's 1982 Ford F100 pickup was the last manual transmission vehicle that I have driven that also had a floor mounted dimmer switch.

Andrew S.


Post# 1126312 , Reply# 36   8/20/2021 at 00:00 (952 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        
Re: reply #35

ea56's profile picture

Yes, I remember driving a stick with the dimmer switch on the left, thats how I learned to drive.  Sometimes you needed to do both clutch and dim the lights at the same time, but that was seldom.  I still prefer having the dimmer on the floor, probably because thats the way I learned to drive.  All the cars were that way in ‘66.

 

Eddie


Post# 1126349 , Reply# 37   8/20/2021 at 08:47 (952 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Clutch and dimming ... The headlights dimmer switch wasn't held down continuously to dim the lights, unless perhaps ones older than my time required it? Press-release = bright, press-release = dim.  Dimmer switch first, then do what's necessary with the clutch.


Post# 1126354 , Reply# 38   8/20/2021 at 09:37 (952 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        
Re: Reply#37

ea56's profile picture

Exactly Glenn, you explained it much better than I did. It’s been almost 40 years now since I drove a car with the dimmer switch on the floorboard, didn’t think of the exact sequence for clutching and dimming at almost the same time, all I know is that it was never a problem.  And I drove on mountain roads where I frequently had to be shifting and dimming due to oncoming cars and changes in the steepness of the grade.  Easy peasy.

 

Eddie

 

 


Post# 1126357 , Reply# 39   8/20/2021 at 09:56 (951 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        
Doesn’t THIS take you back?!

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Let’s once again see Incandescent Lamps become the norm, even in a vintage lamp at the antique store which will probably never get made again maybe while something like this plays:



— Dave


CLICK HERE TO GO TO DaveAMKrayoGuy's LINK


  View Full Size
Post# 1126375 , Reply# 40   8/20/2021 at 11:12 (951 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)        
Most have talked about washing machines

iheartmaytag's profile picture
Which I agree with many of the wants. Would gladly wash with a 1980s Filter Flo again.

I would like to have the Hobart/Kitchenaid dishwasher back. With a powerful, short wash.


Post# 1126381 , Reply# 41   8/20/2021 at 12:15 (951 days old) by lakewebsterkid (Dayton, Ohio)        
What would I bring back?

QUALITY PARTS

Post# 1126387 , Reply# 42   8/20/2021 at 12:59 (951 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
I would love to see a more differentiated design for appliances. Nowadays everything looks alike. It would be nice to recognise appliances again from a large distance instead of putting on your reading glasses to read the label on it.

Post# 1126402 , Reply# 43   8/20/2021 at 14:10 (951 days old) by kevin313 (Detroit, Michigan)        

kevin313's profile picture
How about just making things that can be repaired? So many things - especially small appliances - are not intended to be repaired but thrown away. More junk, more plastic, in our landfills and water.

People used to earn a living by repairing all kinds of things: shoes, TV/radios, small appliances, yard equipment, clothing, etc. Now we are all about consuming as much as we can.


Post# 1126420 , Reply# 44   8/20/2021 at 16:45 (951 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
Bench seat on cars—that’s right a BENCH FRONT seat! Ditto for trucks and SUV’s…



— Dave


Post# 1126421 , Reply# 45   8/20/2021 at 16:53 (951 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        
Bench seat on cars

qsd-dan's profile picture

Loved my bench seat vehicles. I guess they got a bad rap and disappeared because they weren't considered "sporty" by car enthusiasts.

 

Soft suspensions got the same treatment and I miss those, too.


Post# 1126422 , Reply# 46   8/20/2021 at 16:56 (951 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture

I miss bench seats and soft suspensions too.  I liked the feel of driving and riding in a true “Detroiter”.  I also prefer column shift for the transmission too.

 

Eddie 


Post# 1126427 , Reply# 47   8/20/2021 at 17:12 (951 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
I feel like my spine is going to come apart one of these days since I can literally feel every single bump in the road in my mother’s 2006 Honda Accord and the 2004 Honda Odyssey is a bit softer on bumps but has a wollowy ride since the shocks are worn out after 174,000 miles of being driven on roads that looked like they haven’t been touched since the 70’s and 80’s.

Only conclusion I could come up with is unibody construction isn’t as solid as body on frame construction and sure not everyone will agree with me but I just find that unibody cars don’t soak up bumps as well since they tend to pitch when hitting certain bumps and tend to throw you back in the seat as well.


Post# 1126436 , Reply# 48   8/20/2021 at 19:10 (951 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        
Bench Seats

pulltostart's profile picture

The last car my parents bought was a 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Anniversary Edition, with leather bench seats.  She would never discuss a new car because she didn't want anything to do with bucket seats.  Why - because, according to her, there was no place for her purse.

 

lawrence


Post# 1126446 , Reply# 49   8/20/2021 at 21:04 (951 days old) by wilkinsservis (Melbourne Australia)        
It always seemed in the old advertisements ...

wilkinsservis's profile picture
Wearing heels and a nice frock to do laundry!

Post# 1126460 , Reply# 50   8/21/2021 at 00:47 (951 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

I found those Maytag 100th Anniversary set on AJMadison.com

CLICK HERE TO GO TO fan-of-fans's LINK


Post# 1126467 , Reply# 51   8/21/2021 at 03:17 (951 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        
What's Appropriate/Inappropriate Bahavior:

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
The days when we were weren't so hurried and rushed at the expense of being rude and ill-mannered, and maybe recognizing the names of things and calling them by their proper names, according to the label, not some generalization....

Yes, work at where I work at or even shop there, you'll see some examples, I can't properly describe...

Good grammar, too...



-- Dave


Post# 1126576 , Reply# 52   8/22/2021 at 08:56 (950 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        
So Patient/So Impatient

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
Yes when we had patience, not impatience…

But does any range top nowadays have even one Temperature Sensor-ed Burner?

That is one creature that needs a comeback…

That and while I sometimes appreciate and use the fifth burner on my stove, the grates that spread out entirely over the top of my stove make the wide, uniformed surface under it hard to clean…

So a conventional stove top without those burner caps would also be welcome in being much easier to clean!



— Dave


Post# 1126645 , Reply# 53   8/23/2021 at 10:37 (948 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture

I sometimes drive a 50 Plymouth with a three speed manual transmission (they didn't come with automatics back then). I've never run into a problem shifting my foot from clutch to dimmer switch and back. Normally when one is tooling along, the need to dim the lights (as for oncoming traffic on a two lane road) happens when the clutch is not needed. Same for my '67 Chevy Van with a three speed tranny. Not a problem.

 


Post# 1126650 , Reply# 54   8/23/2021 at 12:11 (948 days old) by kenwashesmonday (Carlstadt, NJ)        

Not only was the dimmer switch on the floor convenient, having one eliminates the need for all the relays and nonsense in the headlight dimming circuit found in a modern car.

Post# 1126652 , Reply# 55   8/23/2021 at 13:08 (948 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        
As long as we've driven this discussion way off course .

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Rich, didn't Plymouth at least offer Fluid Drive transmission (AKA "semi-automatic" in layman's terms) in 1950?  I know Dodge did.  I think I've only driven a Fluid Drive once, and that was a friend's 1950 Dodge pickup.  I'm sure it was a super rare option on their trucks back then.



CLICK HERE TO GO TO RP2813's LINK

Post# 1126658 , Reply# 56   8/23/2021 at 13:27 (948 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture

Ralph I don’t believe the Fluid Drive was offered in the 1950 Plymouth.  It wasn’t until ‘53 that Plymouth offered Hy-Drive a version of Fluid Drive as a forerunner to Torque-Flight in ‘55, the first fully automatic transmission offered for Plymouth.

 

Fluid drive was originally offered in Chrysler’s and I believe also in DeSoto’s ‘39, then in ‘40 Dodges too.  I’ve never personally driven a Fluid Drive, but rode in many owned by family members in the 50’s.  When I took Drivers Education in the 9th grade the textbook contained info on how to drive a Fluid Drive equipped car as there were many still in service in ‘65.  I think Fluid Drive was really a very ingenious idea, I would love to get the opportunity to drive a car with Fluid Drive one day.  Fluid Drive was also used in some USA tanks during WWII, and Hydramatic was used in the other tanks.

 

Eddie




This post was last edited 08/23/2021 at 13:47
Post# 1126671 , Reply# 57   8/23/2021 at 18:49 (948 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Re; Floor mounted headlight dimmer switch

NOoooooooooooo! Picture it: Troy Michigan, January 1986 on I-75 at night. My ex was driving his 1978 Pontiac Phoenix home from work. We had recently put a new engine in it. The Buick 231 V6 spun a bearing ad threw a piston rod. We found a low mlileage Olds 260 V8 and swapped it out. While not quick, it ran great and was smooth and quiet. The dimmer switch suddenly shorted out from salty water from snow or ice. All the wiring burned up under the dash and into the main harness behind the firewall. So his brother the mechanic yanked that Olds V8 out and scrapped the car.

Post# 1126674 , Reply# 58   8/23/2021 at 19:56 (948 days old) by gizmo (Victoria, Australia)        
Fluid drive

Is the Fluid Drive a manual gear change with a torque converter instead of a clutch?

I used to have a 1974 Citroen GS 1220 with convertisseur transmission - a 3 speed manual with torque converter and an automatic clutch. It was fabulous to drive. When you pressed on the gear lever, it would electrically declutch the tiny wet clutch inside the torque converter, to make gear changes easier. When you released the gear lever, it would re-engage the clutch. You still had to release the accelerator pedal to change gears. When stopping, you would brake to a stop, change to first gear, the torque converter would slip to allow you to sit still with engine idling, just like a fully auto car. (clutch still engaged.) When you pressed the accelerator, the car drove just like an auto, till you had to release the accelerator and change to second gear. It was a lovely smooth car to drive, and despite having only a 1.2 litre, air cooled flat 4 engine, it could eat six-cylinder Holdens at the traffic light Grand Prix. I haven't owned that car since the 1980s but I'd love to own one now. My sister liked my car so much she bought one the same, though hers was a manual gear change 4 speed and was in much better condition than my car.

The video below (gizmo's link) shows the model I had, with the convertisseur transmission. The video is in French, you can select auto-generated English subtitles but they are very bad translations. Explanation of the convertisseur auto begins at 9.00 minutes. My car was right hand drive, so it had conventional round dials on the dashboard, not the amazing display in the French car.

The boot (trunk) you can see about 12:30 can hold a Hoover front load washing machine - just! - I speak from experience... it was a tight squeeze.

 

This  link is to a technical explanation of the convertisseur transmission: www.citroenet.org.uk/passenger-ca...

 

This link is a better video of driving a GS convertisseur:




CLICK HERE TO GO TO gizmo's LINK

Post# 1126676 , Reply# 59   8/23/2021 at 20:40 (948 days old) by appnut (TX)        
Reply #48

appnut's profile picture
I cannot find the matching dryer to the 100 year Centennial MTW5807TQ washer. Thank you for your assistance.

Post# 1126679 , Reply# 60   8/23/2021 at 21:05 (948 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))        
what would I revive?

whirlykenmore78's profile picture
Suds Savers for TL AWs. This way they could be used without wasting tons of hot water.

Made in the USA. Not just assembled here.

Quality by more MFRs than just SQ.
WK78



Post# 1126691 , Reply# 61   8/23/2021 at 22:45 (948 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

repairguy's profile picture
I brought a set of these home but apparently never did a post on them as I intended. Here is the gas version.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO Repairguy's LINK


Post# 1126694 , Reply# 62   8/24/2021 at 00:29 (948 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Melvin, thank you.

Post# 1126764 , Reply# 63   8/25/2021 at 01:45 (947 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture

Correct: Plymouth did not offer Fluid Drive in 1950. Not sure when it was finally offered, but '53 sounds about right.

 

And, initially, Chrysler offered a semi-automatic transmission back in 1939, on their TOL Airstream models I think. It used a fluid clutch but wasn't particularly efficient, I think. But it did make starting out in the higher gear possible; I think Carl Breer said it made driving in stop and go city traffic easier.

 

My '64 Plymouth Valiant has a Torque-Flight 904 transmission. It's a great unit; you can bump start it in 2nd gear. Which I have had to do on a number of occasions. Fortunately I usually parked at the top of a hill in SF during those days (late 70's) so it was easy enough. Finally I started getting better batteries. And remembered to turn off the headlights before I parked for work. I forget the technical reason why it was possible to bump start that tranny, maybe something to do with a pump.

 

 


Post# 1126789 , Reply# 64   8/25/2021 at 09:22 (947 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        
Rich,

ea56's profile picture
You could also push start an early 50’s Chevy with Powerglide by putting the selector in either low or drive and turning on the ignition, and either getting a push form another car or rolling down an incline like you did with your ‘64 Valiant and when it got to 15-20 mph it would start. I believe I’ve also read the same thing about FoMoCo cars with Ford O Matic transmissions in the 50’s and up to the very early 60’s.

Eddie


Post# 1126790 , Reply# 65   8/25/2021 at 09:28 (947 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
I would want the light and clean vintage scents that we're put into detergents and softeners in the 1950s thru the 1970s to be used modern detergent and softeners. Not the heavy overpowering floral scents that they use today.

Post# 1126791 , Reply# 66   8/25/2021 at 09:30 (947 days old) by kenwashesmonday (Carlstadt, NJ)        

Most automatic transmission made before 1967 have rear pumps and can be push started. That goes for GM, Ford, Chrysler, and Borg Warner (AMC & Studebaker).

Post# 1126817 , Reply# 67   8/25/2021 at 15:38 (946 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
Bench Seats

blackstone's profile picture
Our 2005 Buick LeSabre has bench seats. Probably the last model to have them. ‘05 was the last LeSabre.

Post# 1126870 , Reply# 68   8/26/2021 at 07:53 (946 days old) by angus (Fairfield, CT.)        

I would also look to revive the original scents of the detergents, softeners, etc. from the 50's - 70's. Today's fragrances are just too much and I still don't understand why we need 15 versions of Tide, Gain, etc... I understand the unscented stuff for those with allergies, but I am a little tired of smelling other people's laundry from 20 paces away.

Also, the same goes for bath soaps like original Safeguard, Zest (before it reverted to being just another soap), Lifebuoy and Lux and let's not forget Sweetheart Lime Deodorant Soap. All great products that were "discontinued".


Post# 1126880 , Reply# 69   8/26/2021 at 10:41 (945 days old) by appliguy (Oakton Va.)        
RE # 56

appliguy's profile picture

PowerFlyte was first offered on Plymouth's in 1954. PATRICK COFFEY


Post# 1126883 , Reply# 70   8/26/2021 at 12:04 (945 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
You are correct Patrick. When I looked up when Plymouth first offered a Fluid Drive type of transmission I only focused on the info about Hy-Drive. I didn't notice that Power Flyte was offered mid model year in March ‘54. I only recalled that my grandma bought a new Plymouth Belvedere on ‘55 with the Torque Flyte automatic transmission lever on the dash. She traded her ‘46 Dodge with Fluid Drive for the ‘55 Plymouth with Torque Flyte and Power Steering. I mistakenly thought that this was Plymouth’s first fully automatic transmission. As a 4 year old I was intrigued by the dash mounted transmission lever.

Thanks for the correction.

Eddie


Post# 1126973 , Reply# 71   8/26/2021 at 23:42 (945 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture

Um, it's TorqueFlite, not TorqueFlyte.

 

My '64 also has the push buttons on the dash. It's the first automatic transmission equipped car I ever owned, and the steering column controls has always sort of disappointed me. And passengers often seem highly entertained by the push button control.

 

 


Post# 1126995 , Reply# 72   8/27/2021 at 12:08 (944 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
Rich you are correct about the “Flite”, but I looked up an advertisement for the ‘55 Plymouth and this new automatic transmission was actually called “Power Flite”. And yes the pushbuttons for Chrysler product auto transmission were entertaining. My Dad bought a new ‘56 Plymouth Fury convertible and this was the first year for the pushbuttons.

As a 5 year old I used to sit in this car when it was parked in the garage and play with the pushbuttons for the transmission,pretending that I was driving it. I LOVED cars when I was a little boy and knew the make, year and model of everyone that I saw, something my Dad coached me on.

Dad didn’t keep the ‘56 Fury for long, he traded it in the next year for a new ‘57 Oldsmobile 88 convertible.

I drove several cars with pushbutton transmissions during the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. The most unusual pushbutton transmission set up was on the Edsel which had the pushbuttons in the center of the steering wheel.


Eddie

external-preview.redd.it/JGxZJ-H... post was last edited: 8/27/2021-12:24]


Post# 1126997 , Reply# 73   8/27/2021 at 12:55 (944 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
Bench seats

ozzie908's profile picture
I love the idea of a bench seat but how did the driver get closer to the pedals if short in the leg dept? Did the whole seat slide back and forth?



Post# 1126999 , Reply# 74   8/27/2021 at 13:02 (944 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
Yes Ozzie the whole seat slide forward and backward. My Mom was only 4’9” and my Dad had to have blocks attached to the clutch and brake pedals so she could reach them on some of the cars we owned. She also always drove with a small pillow behind her back too.

Eddie


Post# 1127000 , Reply# 75   8/27/2021 at 13:06 (944 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@Eddie

ozzie908's profile picture
Gosh it must have been hard to find cars that she could manage being such a petite lady?

I remember my Mum refusing to drive my dads car as it had a column shift and she was used to a floor one so she never drove till he bought a new car !!

I dare say nowadays it would be a nightmare especially for my car as I over a foot shorter than my husband he has the seat down and back while I use up and forward.... So glad we have a car with auto seats that adjust to who ever has the car key...

Austin


Post# 1127002 , Reply# 76   8/27/2021 at 13:24 (944 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        
Ozzie

ea56's profile picture
My Mom taught herself to drive in the ‘29 Model A Ford that my parents bought for $50.00 when they returned from their honeymoon in May 1948. My Dad had owned a ‘39 LaSalle, but when they returned from their honeymoon they only had $14.00 left and he was in Law School. So he sold the LaSalle for $500. and they bought the used Model A and used the remainder for living expenses.

Mom was feisty as hell and she used to say she could drive anything with four wheels on it and she did. The only car that my parents owned that she really hated was the ‘47 Cadillac convertible that they bought used shortly after I was born on ‘51. Even though it had a Hydramatic transmission there was still no power steering in ‘47. She said it drove like a goddamned truck, her exact words. She had loved the car that he traded for the Cadillac, a ‘42 Chevrolet Special Deluxe 2 dr sedan that they bought after the ‘29 Model A Ford, it was real step up from the Model A.

Once he passed the Bar Exam in ‘52 and while Dad was still alive we had a new car every 6 months, he just couldn’t help himself. It was thrilling for me, because we were always riding around in a beautiful new car. You name it, we had one at one time or another. But after he died in ‘62 that was the end of the steady stream of new cars.

Both of my parents were fast, but excellent drivers. Car rides with them were always fun.

Eddie




This post was last edited 08/27/2021 at 13:40
Post# 1127003 , Reply# 77   8/27/2021 at 13:46 (944 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Eddie, my mom complained about our '51 Lincoln Cosmopolitan's steering too.  It was a bear to drive that thing over twisting mountain roads, even with automatic transmission.   By contrast, the '57 Lincoln Premiere was a dreamboat with power steering and air conditioning that blew out of vents in the ceiling at all four corners.  It had big fat clear plastic ducts that came up from behind the back seat to move air to the two rear outlets.

 

One interesting thing about the '57 was that it had not only the foot switch on the floor for the high beams, but it had another one to tune the radio while driving.  It would put the tuner into "scan" mode when driving outside of urban areas where reception was spotty at best.  I can remember the hum that would come from the speaker when my dad would use is left foot to scan for reception.  For years he wouldn't tell us how the radio was tuning itself.


Post# 1127044 , Reply# 78   8/27/2021 at 21:32 (944 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)        

countryguy's profile picture
My '78 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham had the headlight dimmer switch on the floor as well as a switch beside it for scanning radio stations.

Gary


Post# 1127049 , Reply# 79   8/27/2021 at 23:04 (944 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
Most of my earlier vehicles (pre-80's) had the floor mounted dimmers and they would rust in place usually on high. My sister had a '58 Fairlane convertible with a magic-bar scanner on the radio face. Didnt do much as there was 3 AM stations back then you could get here. Flicking the turn signal lever is so much better, I think.

Post# 1127110 , Reply# 80   8/28/2021 at 17:21 (943 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
I had a ‘55 Cadillac Coupe de Ville that had a Wonderbar tuner on the radio. The Wonderbar homed into the nearest strong radio signal every time it was pressed. It also had the optional Electric Eye Headlight dimmer. It was called Autoronic Eye, and it really worked very well.

I used to do a lot of night driving on two lane roads then and it never failed to dim the lights at just the right time and and soon as the oncoming car had passed the lights went right back to high beam. I spoiled me for the little time I owned this car.

I bought this Cadillac in 1974 when it was already 19 years old and had 180,000 miles on the odometer. This was during a gas shortage and I traded a paid for ‘69 Volkswagon for this Cad that I saw when I was driving down Hwy 101. I pulled of the hwy and bought the Cad for $995.00 and left that gas saving bug behind. I was impulsive and just had to have that Cadillac.

I once had 8 passengers plus myself in the huge old boat, 5 in the backseat and 4 of us in the front, back in my wild partying days.

After the novelty of the Cadillac wore off I traded it for a ‘74 Chevrolet Nova 2 dr. coupe, painted Lemon Yellow, which turned out to be very appropriate as if there was ever a lemon, that Nova was it!

Eddie




This post was last edited 08/28/2021 at 17:38
Post# 1127117 , Reply# 81   8/28/2021 at 19:39 (943 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Our '57 Lincoln had the dash-mounted electric eye for high beams, but it wasn't sophisticated enough to bump down to low beams when you were coming up behind another vehicle on a dark road.


Post# 1127149 , Reply# 82   8/29/2021 at 01:41 (943 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
.
From Wikipedia:
 
TorqueFlite (also seen as Torqueflite) is the trademarked name of Chrysler Corporation's automatic transmissions, starting with the three-speed unit introduced late in the 1956 model year as a successor to Chrysler's two-speed PowerFlite. In the 1990s, the TorqueFlite name was dropped in favor of alphanumeric designations, although the latest ZF-based transmissions with the eight-speed automatic has revived the name.
 
Oh, and the pushbutton transmission controls were phased out in 1965. So my '64 Valiant is one of the last iterations of that, I think.
 


Post# 1127196 , Reply# 83   8/29/2021 at 18:34 (942 days old) by ladyearth (Kentucky)        
wow too many to read all

BENCH SEATs def tired of losing things and tearing up my thin skinned up skinny hands and arms.
Def push button car radios/ With a Big ON / Off power knob..... not "the tiny can't read or feel well to find nearsighted me stuff. Hate MOST digital crap most of the time too.
I think we might still have a push in Button car radio. wish I could locate it w/ o spending hrs doing so
What about call a psychic to tell us where we put a....n objects or filed something.
and local temporary, honest guys that will work and not have to pick up and drive them back. also not "ogling their In love with" SMART PHONES.
heck I could go on
Oh what about honest people that repair stuff period like HVAC. Others the don't call you back period.
Only couple of guys locally did a fine job the rest Ah half but a furnace. coatuld have Co2 ed me still not right
Several month to see your dentist in this small hick town.
Local Radio station. "TRADIO"gone too and local big outdoor twice a week FLEA MKT gone too. Bunch of sceary cats in this town RAH
OH what about honest CL posters and ones that delete their ads when an item is sold I heard Facebook has the same problems as Im not a member and this "Catcha" check off stuff to see CL replies
I could say even more. LOL
Blessings all


Post# 1127438 , Reply# 84   9/1/2021 at 12:33 (939 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
"Seek & Scan"

car radio tuners are electronically integrated in the audi system and when equiped steering wheel buttons. Wunderbar tuners, Aeronutronic search (Ford), etc. no longer needed. Remember Delco Reverbs?
Now what I do miss are like the Marantz thumb wheel blue lit tuning dials.


Post# 1127450 , Reply# 85   9/1/2021 at 14:28 (939 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
I’ll second the car radio seek and scan, I’m so peeved the last car that had that feature was my 2003 Honda Civic, and I actually like my radio automatically finding the stations for me…

At least my wife’s 2018 Toyota Corolla does…



— Dave


Post# 1127514 , Reply# 86   9/2/2021 at 00:55 (939 days old) by MaytagNeptune (FireAlarmTechGuy4444 on YouTube. Interlochen MI)        
Reply #8

maytagneptune's profile picture
Totally! I also want the Fisher&Paykel Aquasmart and Intuitive back

Post# 1127581 , Reply# 87   9/2/2021 at 18:07 (938 days old) by Suds14 (Pittsburgh)        

Washer with suds saver, variable water level and a spray rinse after the wash cycle.

Post# 1128609 , Reply# 88   9/14/2021 at 00:27 (927 days old) by Junior8uup (In a house)        
Butter

I just found out about this feature this year on my grandparents 55' whirlpool refrigerator, the butter warmer in the door! Never have to try and scrape hard butter across toast in the morning. Sad thing is that it's the only thing on the fridge that doesn't work.


Post# 1128611 , Reply# 89   9/14/2021 at 00:49 (927 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
Panel lighting on washers and dryers that can go on or off independently or maybe on/off with the machines’ operation…

Ditto for ranges, that actually lights up the cooking surface…



— Dave


Post# 1131010 , Reply# 90   10/12/2021 at 09:13 (899 days old) by elginkid (Cincinnati, OH)        

elginkid's profile picture
I would bring back the design of the GE Spacemaker, with the pull-out shelves. I absolutely LOVE that feature.

Post# 1131051 , Reply# 91   10/13/2021 at 10:41 (897 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
My GE Profile fridge

has two pull out sealed glass shelves. It's enough.

Post# 1131088 , Reply# 92   10/14/2021 at 00:08 (897 days old) by warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        

I'd like to see those window a/c's that were around briefly in the late 70's, Mostly Kenmore.

They had a switch that would let set the unit to provide less cooling and more dehumification than 'normal'. Really good for those days in the low-80's with humidity in the 90's.


Post# 1131139 , Reply# 93   10/14/2021 at 18:41 (896 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Window A/Cs that Could Dehumidify Only

combo52's profile picture

Hi Jim, Whirlpool built A/Cs for Sears that could cool and dehumidify or dehumidify only and maintaine a fairly precise temperature and humidity that you selected from around 1960 into the early 70s, but I am not familiar with any A/Cs from the late 70s that could do anything like this.

 

Can you find an ad for such ?

 

We have several of these neat earlier A/Cs that cool or dehumidify only, they had a reversing valve and a 2nd condenser behind the evaporator to do this.

 

John L.


Post# 1132285 , Reply# 94   10/29/2021 at 17:09 (881 days old) by joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)        

joeekaitis's profile picture

 

Delay Start with Bake Time.

 

Delay Start is the time of day for the oven to turn on.  Bake Time was how long to bake and then shut off.  It could be used without Delay Start, i.e.: start baking for a specified length of time, then turn off.  Newer stoves will turn on at a preset time but not off.


Post# 1132289 , Reply# 95   10/29/2021 at 17:36 (881 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
When did timed bake with delay start

go away? My GE profile has it, and a temp. probe.

Post# 1132292 , Reply# 96   10/29/2021 at 18:39 (881 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Time Controlled Oven Baking

combo52's profile picture

I have never seen an oven that can be programmed to turn on but not turn off at the time you select.

 

Examples Please, John 


Post# 1132293 , Reply# 97   10/29/2021 at 18:43 (881 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
Joe I just looked at the owners manual of your new Frigidaire stove and on page 24 there are instructions on how to set the amount of time you want the oven to be on and also for setting delayed start.

You would first set the amt of time you want the oven to be on and the temp, then the time you want it to turn on. Then once the oven turns on it will only remain on for the amt of time you programmed into the controls and then turn off.

HTH,
Eddie


Post# 1132297 , Reply# 98   10/29/2021 at 19:00 (881 days old) by joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)        
Bake Time was on the previous model . . .

joeekaitis's profile picture

 

. . . and Frigidaire apparently didn't update the owner's manual.  Here's the control panel.  There's no Bake Time icon though it's alluded to in the Keep Warm instructions.

 

 https://na2.electroluxmedia.com/XL/Electrolux/Electrolux%20Assets/Images/Product%20Photography/GCRI3058AF-CP_728.jpg?impolicy=dimensions&imwidth=1400

 

 

 


Post# 1132299 , Reply# 99   10/29/2021 at 19:10 (881 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
Sorry Joe, I wasn’t aware that they had changed the controls from what the manual give instructions for. Thats some kinda BS on a range that so expensive and otherwise advanced.

Maybe the keep warm function will allow for a quasi timed bake. It also could be that they are afraid that people would get food poisoning by allowing cooked foods to stay in a oven thats turned off. Maybe the Keep Warm function is their way of circumventing this problem.

Hope you can find a way to delay start and time bake. I always liked this feature on stoves that I’ve had with this feature.

Eddie


Post# 1132337 , Reply# 100   10/30/2021 at 10:38 (880 days old) by joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)        
Previous model (FFIF3054TD) control panel . . .

joeekaitis's profile picture

 

 . . . with Bake Time in all its touch pad glory.  Could be like early programmable slow cookers that would switch to Keep Warm for only 4 hours and then shut off.  Newer models stay on Keep Warm until you turn them off or pull the plug.

 


Post# 1132555 , Reply# 101   11/2/2021 at 21:17 (877 days old) by washdaddy (Baltimore)        
what to bring back that I think is missed.....

washers- bring back water levels that we regulate, temps that we control, detergents that clean but don't take several hours to do it. The return of Norge & G.M. built Frigidaires.

As far as cars go- bring back the floor dimmers and put the flow thru below the dash air vents back in as well as the front vent windows.


Post# 1136239 , Reply# 102   12/15/2021 at 11:26 (834 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
extinct washer feature

I'd like to see the filter-flo make a comeback.

Post# 1136256 , Reply# 103   12/15/2021 at 17:46 (834 days old) by kenwashesmonday (Carlstadt, NJ)        

GELaundry4ever wrote:
"I'd like to see the filter-flo make a comeback."

Sure, if you have free water, no septic tank, and an inexhaustible supply of well sealed rebuilt transmissions.


Post# 1136258 , Reply# 104   12/15/2021 at 17:57 (834 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
Upper and lower oven freestanding ranges…



— Dave


Post# 1136284 , Reply# 105   12/15/2021 at 23:25 (834 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

bradfordwhite's profile picture
panel lights and a triple dispenser like the Lady K washers pre-1986 had.

Post# 1136288 , Reply# 106   12/15/2021 at 23:42 (834 days old) by ghowell6 (Portland, OR)        
Automatic Wrinkle Control

I'd wish for automatic wrinkle control on clothes dryers. My old mid 90s WP/Kenmore gas dryer (as well as some early 2000 electric models I owned before) would automatically tumble clothes intermittently for 90 minutes after the cycle. The newer LG set I own now allows you to enable it- but, you have to press the option every time.

Post# 1136295 , Reply# 107   12/16/2021 at 01:41 (834 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
If there’s one thing I could bring back, it would be the Whirlpool belt drive washers. According to a inflation calculator, my 1963 RCA Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII would be $3,322 if it were to be sold new in 2021 but honestly that’s not that bad of a price considering that some LG sets cost around the same price for the whole set plus you’d get more value for your money since it wouldn’t break down as fast and overall would provide satisfactory washing and rinsing performance.

  View Full Size
Post# 1136314 , Reply# 108   12/16/2021 at 08:10 (834 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
WOW Sean!

That's a crazy inflation ratio!
A teacher on our local news last night said yoing new educators are starting out earning $10,000.00 less than she did 30 years ago. Thta's another thing that's effed up.
Of course there are better and worse teachers, just like in every profession or trade, but this country doesn't have the regard for them in places like Korea for example.
Many are leaving education behind and entering new careers.
Nursing is another very streesed field.


Post# 1136316 , Reply# 109   12/16/2021 at 08:27 (834 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        

qsd-dan's profile picture

A late 60's A806/D806 combo was about $870 out the door. Around $6900 in todays funny money. 


Post# 1136327 , Reply# 110   12/16/2021 at 12:36 (833 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        
Reply #109

maytag85's profile picture
$6900 may seem expensive for a washer and dryer set but if you don’t have to buy another one for decades, it definitely will be worth the investment plus you’d save a lot of money since you wouldn’t have to buy a new set every 5 to 6 years. If people really want to save money, you have to think long term instead of short term since buying disposable appliances costs more in the long run than if were to pay $6900 for a Maytag A806 set (if it were to be sold new in 2021) and would still be washing and rinsing 50 years later while people will have spent over $10K on disposable appliances that only last 5 to 6 years.

Post# 1136432 , Reply# 111   12/17/2021 at 07:21 (833 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Cost Of Great Washers and Dryers

combo52's profile picture

Wow It really shows what a bargain a New Speed Queen FL W&D is at only around $3000 for a pair with a standard 5 year warranty.

 

A new SQ FL washer is quite easily the longest lasting automatic washer EVER sold for home use in the US, It can easily last more than 25 years of normal home use *.

 

A 1963 WP TL washer only lasted 7-12 years by contrast and a 1960s MT A806 generally only lasted 15-25 years under similar use.

 

And this is saying nothing about the huge costs savings and better cleaning performance of a new SQ FL washer that when compared to older TL machines will literally save back the cost of the FL washer in its 25 year + life span.

 

When you look at the big picture we live in very good times for major appliances if you make smart choices.

 

* Normal use is defined as washing around 10 loads a week for a family of four.

 

John L.


Post# 1136444 , Reply# 112   12/17/2021 at 10:56 (832 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Yes, the long term

cost is what you look at. It used to be a Mercedes was a bargain, but no more.
A lady I knew had one for every two Lincolns her husband had.


Post# 1136455 , Reply# 113   12/17/2021 at 12:02 (832 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

bradfordwhite's profile picture
This idea of something that will "last forever" is not really practical when it comes to technology stuff though.

Think about if the cars and washers and refrigerators that were made in 1970, for example, were so "good" they would last forever.

The tech then was not efficient compared to todays standards.

What if the horse and buggy's from a century ago were made to "last forever"? Would you still rely on it?

Given the amount of older Kitchenaid dishwashers and Maytag washers from years ago that can be found in the free sections... something that was once deemed as so reliable.

Then there is the fashion trends. Now I won't give the new ugly the time of day but it is apparently a style for some. There are lots of appliances and cars that were traded in or junked just simply because it wasn't trendy. That's how rich we are in the U.S.


Post# 1136456 , Reply# 114   12/17/2021 at 12:42 (832 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        
Reply #113

maytag85's profile picture
I don’t buy into if “something lasted forever, it wouldn’t be practical when it comes to technology”. I may be 22 which means I am part of Gen Z, but I don’t fall for any of that “technology” crap since it’s all style and no substance, and there’s no real user feedback since you can’t customize the controls like on a Maytag A806 for example and if you try to customize the settings on a newer machine it simply won’t let you or simply will throw a error while a Maytag A806 will gladly will accept any number of customizations you want to do to the wash and spin speeds along with the rinse temperatures.

You can only push technology so far before you end up with a piece of junk that doesn’t work or falls apart within a few years but it seems the previous generations before me keep on falling for the all style and no substance combined with little to no user feedback or flexibility.


Post# 1136467 , Reply# 115   12/17/2021 at 16:30 (832 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        

qsd-dan's profile picture

There are lots of appliances and cars that were traded in or junked just simply because it wasn't trendy. That's how rich we are in the U.S.

54% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. 55% do not pay their credit card bill(s) off in full every month. 64% do no have enough saved for retirement. Only 37% of home owners own their house free and clear.

That doesn't sound like a "rich" nation, more like a nation of idiot spenders and debtors chasing materialism and trends.


Post# 1136469 , Reply# 116   12/17/2021 at 17:01 (832 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        
Reply #115

maytag85's profile picture
I’ve been telling myself for years that if people don’t pay off their homes, cars, etc., it will cause another Great Depression since the same habits were around in the 1920’s since people bought things on credit and didn’t have much if any money saved up and when the stock market crashed, people literally lost everything since they didn’t have any money saved up in the bank nor could pay off the stuff they bought.

Post# 1136470 , Reply# 117   12/17/2021 at 17:10 (832 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        
Yes Dan

bradfordwhite's profile picture
Those percentages OF THE WHOLE are not as well off as others.

The U.S. is one of the WEALTHIEST countries on the planet.

Don't ever fall for a (republican) floated line of b.s. that "we can't afford it". "We" can't afford Universal Health care so you'll have to suffer.
"We" can't afford UBI so you'll have to stay poor and suffering.
NO ! b.s.!

How much $$ was pissed down the toilet on a useless border wall, for example?
We CAN afford it.

But let's stick to the subject of the post: Extinct appliance features we wish we had back


CLICK HERE TO GO TO bradfordwhite's LINK


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Post# 1136473 , Reply# 118   12/17/2021 at 17:40 (832 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        

qsd-dan's profile picture

I'm well aware of how wealth is distributed but those figures confirm my point. Lots of 80 percenters piss their money away like idiots, I see it all of the time.

 

Universal healthcare would take those upper percenters down a few big notches which is why it'll never happen. Money and corruption rule this planet. I don't like either but that's just the way it's.

 

Both sides of the isle spend money like it's going out of style so pointing fingers is just laughable. It's not their money, so why would they care?


Post# 1136482 , Reply# 119   12/17/2021 at 19:03 (832 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        
OK Dan

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If you want to continue discussing income inequality, lets create a post specifically about that. No problem.

Post# 1136483 , Reply# 120   12/17/2021 at 19:16 (832 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        
1973 Lady K dishwasher

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Incand. lighted selector switch plus the lighted temperature indicators.

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Post# 1136486 , Reply# 121   12/17/2021 at 19:35 (832 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

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I had the same Lady K but in gold. Cleaned everything fine with the roto-rack. Did not have an air dry, only 12 or 22 minutes. The cycle lights were cool switching, especially when the sani-temp was on blinking. Eventually the 2 bottom screws on the door wore holes in the porcelain. I definitely wish I could have that recreated.

Post# 1136519 , Reply# 122   12/18/2021 at 07:55 (832 days old) by kenwashesmonday (Carlstadt, NJ)        

bradfordwhite wrote:
"Think about if the cars and washers and refrigerators that were made in 1970, for example, were so "good" they would last forever."

I drove my last car daily until it was 50 years old. My current washing machine is 49 years old. My newest major appliance, my dishwasher, is 19 years old.

Why do I keep these things so long? Because they behave themselves, and there would be no financial gain in replacing them with plastic-fantastic-computerized-disposable new appliances. Same goes for the 35 year old gas-fired steam boiler in the house.


Post# 1136520 , Reply# 123   12/18/2021 at 08:22 (832 days old) by kd12 (Arkansas)        

For me, hands-down, it's the lighted control panel on washers and dryers.

Post# 1136538 , Reply# 124   12/18/2021 at 14:59 (831 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        
bloo-oop

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The sound of a LK electronic washer or dryer from the early 80s.

...and the colors of appliances: (non-shaded) Candy pink, robbins egg blue, sunny yellow, harvest gold, coffee, almond, platinum, bisque, seafoam green, and avocado.


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