Dillonwayne

I could use some help identifying this machine. I have been looking for hours trying to find something even close with no luck. I haven't even seen this color! It is very heavy and from what I can tell is a premium machine. I seen it and had to pick it up. I have some singers but I hadn't seen any other type of machine catch my attention like this one did. Any information would be helpful. Thank you!

Dillonwayne

It has a serial number? I read a little and found that White bought this company at some point?

wesing

Lots of the Japanese machines were badged under multiple names. If you expand your search you may find a machine with a different name but the same features. I think you may find a Bel-Aire with that configuration.

Check this thread: Vintage Japanese 'Badged' Zig Zag and Straight Sew Sewing Machines
for lots of Japanese machines in different variations. Also if you do a general internet search, a lot of people refer to your machine as a “dashboard” machine because the knobs, lights, and buttons look like a 50’s car dashboard.

OurWorkbench

Welcome, Dillon. Unfortunately a serial number isn't going to be much help. I was under the impression that White did not actually make a lot of the machines from this time period. I believe they bought machines made in Japan and put their name on or other names were put on the same machine. It is all very confusing. I believe there may be a JA and/or JC number on the underside of the machine which could be cast into the machine or stamped on it. I'm going to guess that probably a JA13 or JA38 or maybe a JC4, but it could be many others. There is some speculation that the JA numbers belong to companies that assembled the machine and the JC numbers belong to the company that actually 'cast' the machinel

I think you will find a manual for a Deluxe Zig Zag #5 at http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine...g_Machines.htm I have never done business with them, but will frequently look at that page to see the different sewing machines that have many different names on them.

Wesing gave a good link about many different Japanese machines. There is another at Vintage Japanese 'Badged' sewing machine with fancy stitches

It seems like I have seen (on line) similarly colored machines. It seems like you can find machines that show up in different colors but the same machine. Some just have minor differences.

It is generally considered that these dashboard machines are quite the workhorses.

Have fun with you nice looking machine.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)

sewbizgirl

Oh I love it! A true 'dashboard' machine! What a treasure, working or not, just to look at.

Dillonwayne

Thank you for the help guys. I havent decided on if I wanted to keep it or sell it. Based on the pictures what would you guys pay for a machine like this? Because the people in these forums I would say are the experts of these sewing machines. Or at least the closest thing to an expert. I just would like to have a value so I know where to go from here... Put it in a cabinet or maybe as a piece for inside the house like a painting? Again thank you guys so much for the feedback.

wesing

I forgot about the fancy stitches companion thread! I see a pretty close match on post #158 of that thread - it’s badged Dressmaker.

Unfortunately, these machines don’t have a lot of value to most people. The biggest determinant of value will be the condition of the machine (mechanical and cosmetic). Some people might like the “cool factor” of yours because it has all the knobs, etc. You might get more or less depending on your location. The color of yours might get more attention than most. It would be about finding the person that wants a machine like that.

If it sews, you might decide to keep it. These old girls are very durable and reliable.