Electra A2E04 'Matchbox' washing machine (distribute and short spin)

[David5495]

An interesting piece of Hoover history, solid machines built to last!

[matchbox3236h]

Yep - one of the slightly more unusual pieces of Hoover history and electricity board history too.

[matthewperry1982]

there was also Soft Rinse fabric conditioner too

[matthewperry1982]

you can only get Softlan in the USA, very similar to Lenor

[jaredini]

very similar to my mums old Hoover 1100, can't remember which model, but it was when all hoovers appliances had the silver and orange bits... lol. I did have a friend who had a Creda and then an Electra washer and they worked VERY similar to the pre merloni Hotpoints...

[matthewperry1982]

there was Softlan fabric softener too

[mjgriff74]

Was Fabric Softner even used in the days these machines were made? My mum's neighbour had the Hoover branded model of this machine. I remember well asking her about the powder draw.

[matchbox3236h]

yep fabric softner was around. my gran used it religiously in her electra A3E02. Cant remember whether it was lenor or comfort - i think it was lenor. but then it might have been comfort!

[tvcrazy08]

we had a trixie bendix, i think, which was like that (but more mondern) with auto softner but simerler spin (no short/long tho)

[electron1100]

Thye dont mess around on distribute Paul have a look at mine its the same

[glenfieldmathk1]

great spin, does it not spin at in stages 400, 800, 1200 then?

[matchbox3236h]

no - thats way more advanced than this machine. With the A2E04 its a simple 800rpm, in either the 20second burst for short and 4 minute for long.

[glenfieldmathk1]

Oh so the next model up did that style spin then??

[matchbox3236h]

nope. the A3E02 did 800 only too. different spin speeds only came in with the introduction of the electronic machines - the A3060 1100rpm machine and its electricity board exclusive spin off in the form of the A3E08

[deeveyboy]

Electra just do cheap copy's of big brand machne's like hoover and creda. Do u remember the creda debonair micron and when electra did a version of it?

[matchbox3236h]

Its not that they copy machines, but that the electricity board commisioned certain manufactureres to produce electra branded versions of their machines. As you say, there are Creda machines branded electra, as well as Philips and in recent years servis machines. There were also Zanussi exclusives for the leccy boards, but these retained the Zanussi name but were in to tone brown.

[deeveyboy]

Do u have any vids of the creda debonair micron or even the electra version? U know the one with the electronic time display from the mid to late 80's.

[matchbox3236h]

fraid not. dont have one in the collection just yet.

[deeveyboy]

They were great ,bring back a lot of memories. Hope youcan get one soon pal. :)

[matchbox3236h]

So do I!

Will let you know if one turns up.