Thread Number: 27839
Thinking about getting some Frog Eyes...
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 426414   4/2/2010 at 19:59 (5,108 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        

redcarpetdrew's profile picture
Found these on display at a nearby shop. 1957's and in minty shape! I'll show some pictures then will pose a question or two.

First some history. They were gently used then ended up on display at the Sears store in a very small rural town nearby. They sat on display for a long time then were aquired by the owner of the store I found them in. There is supposed to be NOTHING wrong with them at all and were working at time of static display.





Post# 426415 , Reply# 1   4/2/2010 at 20:00 (5,108 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        

redcarpetdrew's profile picture
The washer console is in great shape. Hell, the WHOLE washer is in great shape... A little touch up here and there but not much and not bad.

Post# 426416 , Reply# 2   4/2/2010 at 20:02 (5,108 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        
Money Shot!

redcarpetdrew's profile picture
The inside is fantastic. Look at that agitator! Has a waterfall lint filter.

Post# 426418 , Reply# 3   4/2/2010 at 20:03 (5,108 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        

redcarpetdrew's profile picture
Closeup of the console...

Post# 426419 , Reply# 4   4/2/2010 at 20:04 (5,108 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        
The dryer...

redcarpetdrew's profile picture
She's electric and is also in wonderful condition...

Post# 426420 , Reply# 5   4/2/2010 at 20:05 (5,108 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        
She has that 'shine'... A money shot!

redcarpetdrew's profile picture
The interior is clean and the drum has that healthy shine!

Post# 426422 , Reply# 6   4/2/2010 at 20:11 (5,108 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

What a fantastic find! I hope you are able to get them. The worst problem I had restoring my frog-eye was tracking down the correct tub-to-pump hose. Once I did that---- the rest was easy.

Post# 426423 , Reply# 7   4/2/2010 at 20:13 (5,108 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        
So, the questions...

redcarpetdrew's profile picture
The gentleman who has these is not pressed to sell them. He isn't worried either way. He has them more for the nostalgia then the possibility to sell. O.K. I can respect that. I'm trying to work out a price with him that may involve a partial trade of another appliance I have.

I really like them and desire to get them due to the styling, condition and that they are matching! Dan said (jokingly) that I'm a traitor to all things Maytag and Gordon thinks that He can convert me to the Kenmore side of the force... LOL!!!

So.... What do you all think of them and what do you think a fair price for them would be? I'm not out to screw the owner on money but don't wish to be taken, either...

RCD


Post# 426426 , Reply# 8   4/2/2010 at 20:16 (5,108 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

$300.00 for the pair.

Post# 426431 , Reply# 9   4/2/2010 at 20:51 (5,108 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture
Maybe you can trade him a center dial machine or something along those lines as part of the deal, or anything he can tape the same "American Made" statement onto.

I think Todd got a Kenmore pair several months back of similar vintage, and they were asking $200 or $250. Considering yours are such low mileage, they are probably worth the $300 stated above.


Post# 426432 , Reply# 10   4/2/2010 at 21:01 (5,108 days old) by bendix5 (Central Point, Oregon)        

bendix5's profile picture
Those are beautiful Andy. I remember different house holds having that style when I was a kid. They are in nice shape. Unusual. I like the copper colors around the controls. Do they light up behind the timer dial and the dials on the left. One aunt of mine had the frog eye green background with little levers for water temp and levels. She got them in 56 or so when her 29 Maytag wringer which was my grandmothers started shocking her. She always left the lid up so I would just stand there and watch it until she sent me off outside. It was sure different that watching my moms Bendix. We are enjoying the Mark 2. JoEllen finally got to watch a cycle run thru this past weekend. It is a great machine. Thanks again and hope you get these machines. Dano

Post# 426436 , Reply# 11   4/2/2010 at 21:38 (5,108 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)        

lebron's profile picture
Amazing pair. Good luck on aquiring them.

Post# 426449 , Reply# 12   4/2/2010 at 23:23 (5,108 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
Those are really nice machines! My mother had the same model washer. I think the console may light up at the timer, and at the water level/temp controls on this model, but cannot remember for sure.

Post# 426457 , Reply# 13   4/3/2010 at 00:05 (5,108 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

Does anyone have any pictures of the "Frog eye" line over the years? That is what brought me here years ago. Robert was kind enough to answer my email on the topic, but either my memory is fading or I've never seen one as I recall it.

As a kid we had a washer, not sure of the brand, that had a back lit black dial with a gold knob in the center, very frog eye looking off to the right side. The temperature controls where back lit also in red, yellow and I think green translucent plastic. The tub had two lights, a regular bulb and a germicidal bulb, and it was a suds saver model and one of the hoses was a sort of army green. It had to be from either '53, '54 or at the latest '55. My uncle worked with Jimmy Hoffa, (my Mom was a secretary for him too...) and I heard tell it "fell off a truck" somewhere and my folks got a good deal on it.

I'd love to see a picture to confirm my memories...


Post# 426462 , Reply# 14   4/3/2010 at 00:19 (5,108 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Veryr nice Andy. Neighbor across the street had the dryer 9in gas) and one of my mom's college best friends (daughter of my "grandparents") had the washer--was my first encounter with AD detergent. Anyway, there are no lights on the timer or auxilliary dials. I think Jetcone ended up with a similar set a couple of years ago.

Post# 426463 , Reply# 15   4/3/2010 at 00:20 (5,108 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Andy, Ih ope you can reach an agreeable deal for these. they are in beautiful condition. Keepers.

Post# 426469 , Reply# 16   4/3/2010 at 00:41 (5,108 days old) by imperialmarkxii ()        
BEAUTIFUL!!!

My Aunt in San Diego had this washer when I was around seven years old.

Was that style available in 60,70,& 80, etc. series back then, or was even heard of then???

Also, it seems I remember it having the "pregnant" Roto-Swirl agitator; but maybe not

COMMENTS ANYONE??? Thanks,

-Russell


Post# 426480 , Reply# 17   4/3/2010 at 02:01 (5,108 days old) by whirlcool (Just North Of Houston, Texas)        

When I was a little kid my parents had this dryer. My Mom used to say it lasted forever without any problems at all. What I remember is that when you opened the door to unload the clothes, the dryer light had a blue rather than white cast to the light.

Post# 426490 , Reply# 18   4/3/2010 at 04:41 (5,108 days old) by alr2903 (TN)        

Notice the four rolls of holes in the bottom of the washbasket, our Robert once said that is a good thing. They are very nice. alr2903

Post# 426492 , Reply# 19   4/3/2010 at 04:47 (5,108 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
Nice set, Andrew!
I agree, $300.00 is a fair price, not knowing anything mechanically about them.


Post# 426510 , Reply# 20   4/3/2010 at 09:33 (5,107 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        

pulltostart's profile picture
Very nice! Good luck with your negotiations.

Lawrence


Post# 426524 , Reply# 21   4/3/2010 at 10:59 (5,107 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
my very most favorite

twintubdexter's profile picture
Of the hundreds of trade-ins I cleaned up for the sales floor I probably saw more of these way-cool Kenmore's than anything else. Sears must have sold a ton of them. Usually, provided the spin tube bearings were still tight, the only thing the washer needed was a pump. And most of the dryers just needed a major de-linting...and/or the gas models needed a new glo-coil. I always wanted to find a pair of these...perhaps one day.

Post# 426531 , Reply# 22   4/3/2010 at 11:38 (5,107 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Hi Andy

mickeyd's profile picture
As old as they are, they look very modern and new, even futuristic, in the first shot with the startling white and silver.

"Look at that agitator!" Indeed! so humble and unassuming, yet, she turns the best tricks in town. The beautiful bronze in the panel is very reminiscent of that on the 56 Frigidaire. I love it when stuff like that happens.


Andy, it all depends on how much you want it, and how much you have available for sacrifice, and your relationship with the seller. People don't like to say how much they paid. I am no exception, but you asked and I'll answer you.

I once paid a grand for a mint working set of Blackstone 350's. The Dryer was new in the box, NIB. I had wanted a Blackstone washer for 40 years, but I had to buy the dryer too--sold as a set, firm. I offered that much because I wanted to make sure I would get them. Also, the seller had been extremely generous to me in the past, giving me 3 wonderful washers for free, two of which were dream machines, because they had minor flaws.

I have never regretted paying him a thousand dollars. Every deal is personal and individual. Ask how much he'd have to get to feel comfortable letting them go. Good Luck, Buddy!

And now you've got us all thinking about the treasures hiding in our rural town appliance stores, etc. Talk about the coolest Easter Egg Hunt Ever!!! WOW. Thanks


Post# 426532 , Reply# 23   4/3/2010 at 11:43 (5,107 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Beautiful! I hope you get a deal worked out. The lighted dials on these are the best!

Ben


Post# 426608 , Reply# 24   4/3/2010 at 19:24 (5,107 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)        
Go for it Andy

mayfan69's profile picture
Hi Andy

I hope you get these....they certainly are classic!

Cheers
Leon


Post# 426635 , Reply# 25   4/3/2010 at 21:46 (5,107 days old) by SactoTeddyBear ()        
Hey! Drew:

I've sent you an E-Mail on Friday Late Evening, or real early Saturday Morning, let me know about the contents on a reply E-Mail, when you get a chance to write back.

Peace and Kind Regards, Steve
SactoTeddyBear0503...


Post# 426721 , Reply# 26   4/4/2010 at 11:38 (5,106 days old) by MikeS ()        
Gotta Love The Frog-Eyes

My neighbor had a frog-eye Kenmore washer; it kept going and going with five kids and tons of wash every week. And we had a frog-eye Kenmore gas dryer my father bought (for $50) after I complained one too many times about having to hang up the wash. The dryer was installed in the garage, and I had to make my way from the washer in the utility area next to the kitchen, out the front door, and into the garage to dry the clothes. No matter; the Kenmore did the job well. Loved the various temperature settings and I learned to master the timer after just a few loads. A few years later, Mom found a discontinued Kenmore slant panel dryer for $120 at Sears, and it replaced old frog-eye. It was bigger and did a good job, but there was something about the old Kenmore that made it a real member of the family.
Good luck with your new finds, Drew!


Post# 426906 , Reply# 27   4/4/2010 at 23:34 (5,106 days old) by Supersuds (Knoxville, Tenn.)        

supersuds's profile picture
I remember my dad repairing our Frogeye dryer -- don't recall what was wrong with it -- and showing me the Packard Electric motor. It had the Packard script like the car company, but it was a General Motors subsidiary. I found out later that James Ward Packard had started Packard Electric before he got into the car business.



Post# 426919 , Reply# 28   4/5/2010 at 00:45 (5,106 days old) by kenmore81 ()        

I hope you do get these Drew. That is one nice set!

Post# 426969 , Reply# 29   4/5/2010 at 08:19 (5,105 days old) by bygted ()        

Those are cool - I have the same set - but my washer looks like it was pulled out of a swamp and needs a complete restoration. They do light up. They were considered the "low end" models for 56/57. At least I am pretty sure - I guess that someone will correct me if I am wrong.
They have beautiful styling - I really hope that you are able to get them !


Post# 427034 , Reply# 30   4/5/2010 at 16:05 (5,105 days old) by westingman123 ()        
wow

Andy, if you don't get these I'm afraid you'll regret it. I think I'd donate a body part for that set.



Post# 427077 , Reply# 31   4/5/2010 at 21:52 (5,105 days old) by BugsyJones ()        

Incredible machines!

I can't find anything cool like that around here!

~Tim


Post# 427085 , Reply# 32   4/5/2010 at 23:06 (5,105 days old) by A440 ()        

Very nice!
Best of luck.
Brent


Post# 427307 , Reply# 33   4/6/2010 at 21:44 (5,104 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        
All righty then...

redcarpetdrew's profile picture
Based on all the encouragement (You'll notice it took a lot of arm twisting...), I'll go ahead and begin serious negotiations with the seller. Thanks for the advice! Ribbit...

RCD



Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy