Did anyone have one of these keymatic controllers?

[andyr12345]

Did anyone ever have one of these Hoover Keymatic washing machines when growing up. We had one at one time, bought it second-hand in the 80's for around 80quid in a secondhand shop - I bet we thought the future had arrived! 
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQxE6voSV7pIhs-jbwI2kQu-KcTvJMUMc-4z7m_ICe8SilNQi08bg   

[Whitegoodshelp]

A3008 if I'm not mistaken?

[andyr12345]

6 minutes ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

A3008 if I'm not mistaken

did you ever repair them Andy ... or are you too young?  

I would love to own one these days just to have a go of it and see it/hear it in action - If I win the lottery big one day i'm going to buy one (if you still can pick one up these days)  - in fact if i won big on the lotto I would buy a garage somewhere and get me hands on a rake of old retro washing machines ... maybe even open it up as a museum  

[Whitegoodshelp]

I used to repair them, and the model before (A3243). I started as 16 year old in 1976. The previous model was the same shape (Matchbox series) but the original keymatic washing machines were like tanks with a sloping front. 

This A3008 was exactly the same as "normal" models except for the programme timer. If you lost one of the key cards you couldn't use it. There were no advantages to the keymatic models. As far as I know only Hoover ever did them. 

[Whitegoodshelp]

They were a great simple design. 

[JetSystem]

An absolute classsic, some of the collectors have a few examples of these.

[Whitegoodshelp]

They must be around 40 years old now. 

[andyr12345]

I've just been watching a couple of them in action on youtube - thats brought back memories , especially the clicking the card reader prongs made  

[JetSystem]

I tried to post a link to a few but it wouldn't let me :(.

The first Keymatic came out in 1964.

 

[Whitegoodshelp]

What problem did you have with the link? Should be able to use the chain icon to paste a link in.

[JetSystem]

Ah, got it now Andy, thanks!

This is the first Keymatic launched and Hoover's first automatic washing machine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m40HI12gbPI&t=59s

[Whitegoodshelp]

I remember them well. They were still around but in decline in 76 when I started. I didn't like them though - they scared me They were like tanks, very big and heavy, and extremely mechanical. Built with 50s and 60s style. Fortunately I hardly had to repair any but came across them occasionally. A very different era.