“… Yes… we’re obsessed… but in positive way…”
This video is INSANE! This couple, Robert and Fred, have collected $40,000 worth of vintage appliances — a total of 400 appliances — including vintage Mixmasters, Hoover vacuums, Constellations, toasters. And, they have like 26 washers and dryers in their 1,200 basement alone. They now never use a washing machine made after 1965. These are our kind of people! Thanks to reader Amanda for the tip! Click on through to watch –>
- Are you interested in vintage appliances? Be sure to check out this story I wrote about 9 Online Resources for Parts, Service an Advice to Fix Old Stoves and Other Vintage Appliances. It incorporates tips from readers received over the past several year.
- Also see: 26 Places to Buy Restored Vintage Stoves.
Jay says
Great video. I have Auto washer org saved to my favorites. Also check out the alternate site on vacuums. Fun!
Chris says
Wow! This is just to glorious and marvelous for words! I love each and every appliance and the fact that they ALL work and they use them is incredible to me!! What a find! I would love to know more about how they find them and what they do to keep them in tip top working shape. Loooove that dishwasher that you can see into while it’s washing!!
Great article!!
ChrisH says
Robert thanks for the link to your website, I’ll be checking it out. I like people with harmless obsessions. I have 35 vintage bicycles, but I’m almost normal compared to you 🙂
Thomas Brown says
It is such a thrill to see one of my dearest friends…Fred….featured on one of my favorite websites!
RAnderson says
Thanks for the warm welcome Pam! I have to say that the Mid- Century Modest Manifesto here is one of the most sensible (and good for the earth!) things that I’ve read in a long time! We agree so much, that we’ve got TWO mid ’50s ranchers, both under 1000 sq ft: one that we live in, and one that our son rents from us. They’re the kind of houses we grew up in back in the 50s, and we feel so at home in our little tract house. Like the ’50s lady, we’re sort of in love with the period, and almost everything we have, from appliances to hi-fi to cars to furniture, are of that era. We don’t do the clothes thing though! lol. So sincerest thanks for making a place where the era can be preserved and appreciated! And if anyone has ANY questions at all about buying, owning and maintaining vintage stoves, fridges, dishwashers, laundry machines, or small appliances, please do come to Robert’s website, we just love to share and help all who enjoy them. And owning vintage is more practical than you think! It’s a group of good and helpful people, just like here! RogerA in NY
Linda G. says
All I can say is WOW!!!
RAnderson says
Been following (lurking) here at retrorenovation for several years, but this is the first post that has prompted me to actually write and join in (love it here!)… aren’t they great? I’m into old appliances too (though I don’t have the cool collection that Robert and Fred do – drat!) And I’m a member over at automaticwasher.net also, and I do recommend it highly for anyone interested in the old vintage (and the best!) appliances. My tendencies run mostly to old stoves and ranges, and I have a knotty pine kitchen too, along with a few vintage dishwashers, and have ben rapidly getting into the washer end of things! Like ’50 and ’60s houses and cars, appliances from that era were so much better made, with love and pride really, than those of today. The folks at AWO are great and so helpful too… ya’ll come! And I’ll be over here more now too…
RogerA in NY
pam kueber says
Welcome out of lurking status, RA!
hannah says
Thank goodness there’s someone out there that ‘hoards’ vintage more then myself! 😉
What an amazing collection and expert display of all those lovely appliances. The color combinations are amazing – and all the detail on the knobs of the washers is just a joy to see.
That is one clean pad. Thanks for sharing this.
Dave says
I’m a member of Robert’s group (yes, there are many of us). It’s an odd but wonderful hobby. I restore and use vintage appliances as well. I want the best performance, durability, and energy efficiency in all my appliances. (I am a professional historic preservationist for the same reasons). It’s amazing how many different ways of doing household chores have been developed over the years and how many of them have fallen from favor. It seems a shame to throw away all that technology in favor of the newest thing.
Variety is the spice of life,
Dave
nina462 says
I was just wondering, how do I meet a guy like this, who also enjoys vintage items. Thanks Dave for letting me know there are many out there –
Diane G says
I love this!
And it makes me feel even more comfortable with my obsession with vintage china – at least there aren’t mechanical repairs with that…