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Thread Number: 33202
Pictures from the warehouse visit today |
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Post# 499858 2/27/2011 at 15:32 (4,807 days old) by KenmoreGuy64  (Charlotte, NC) |
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I went to the warehouse today to tidy up my storage area a little bit. Per insistance from Kevin, I took along my camera. I have two storage areas, this one typically houses the newer machines, however I have some that I put here temporarily that belong in the other room. Right now though this space has Kenmores in it from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
Here are some interesting shots: First is my recently acquired Coppertone 1963 Lady K with suds option. She's got an issue with the fill control hose, but was a beaut. Just needs some cleaning, which as we all know is the fun part. 
This post was last edited 02/27/2011 at 18:11 | ||
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Post# 499859 , Reply# 1 2/27/2011 at 15:33 (4,807 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Post# 499860 , Reply# 2 2/27/2011 at 15:35 (4,807 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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1963 Kenmore 600 dryer | ||
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Post# 499861 , Reply# 3 2/27/2011 at 15:37 (4,807 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Behind the 63s is a surprising 1972 Kenmore 700. I was told it was in rough shape, but I have always loved this model, and since it's my favorite color, it found a home. Nowhere near as rough as I thought, but it has some leaves roosting in it right now. I think it needs a timer, but we'll see when I get in there sometime this summer.
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Post# 499862 , Reply# 4 2/27/2011 at 15:38 (4,807 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Post# 499863 , Reply# 5 2/27/2011 at 15:41 (4,807 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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The 1974 twins. One I've had since 1990, the other I got a few weeks back with some great help from a member in Pittsburgh. It's going to drive me nuts about these two machines - one is a model 110.72460110, the other is a 110.72461100. I so far have not been able to figure out what is different about them other than one has the cabinet mounted cone filter and the other a tub-mount filter, though both are self-cleaning.
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Post# 499865 , Reply# 6 2/27/2011 at 15:43 (4,807 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Post# 499866 , Reply# 7 2/27/2011 at 15:48 (4,807 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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One last picture for now - Here's an intersting shot for you. In this photo, the first five machines from left to right are all the same model, and I have two others of these! I'm shaking my head....
Here is Toast, Almond, and White. This was Kenmore's best seller in the 1983-1986 time period, and if its presence in my collection is any indication, I think the sales statistics are right! Gordon 
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Post# 499885 , Reply# 8 2/27/2011 at 17:18 (4,807 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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Post# 499905 , Reply# 9 2/27/2011 at 18:11 (4,807 days old) by peteski50 (New York) |
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warehouse visit  | ||
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Post# 499916 , Reply# 10 2/27/2011 at 18:46 (4,807 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL) |
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Post# 499919 , Reply# 11 2/27/2011 at 19:02 (4,807 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Hey Lawrence!
I like Toast too. I almost bought a matching Toast dryer a couple weeks ago but it was cold, it was 30-some miles away, and I just didn't think I needed to be buying a machine that I really DON'T NEED just because of its color. Today I would have.... I have two Toast washers (same model) and a Platinum pair from the same period. The Platinum is neat, but feels 'cold'. One or two of those five in that picture of quintuplets is going to get reborn this summer, at least that's my plan, but I think it may be one of the white ones first. Most of the machines in these pictures have come from my source in Arizona - so they are nearly or completely unrusted. They all have dust and dirt in places that we often see light surface rust from local machines, so the AZ units should be fun to bring back. I am anxious to ascertain the condition of their outer tubs - if they are also unrusted, it will be a dandy day when I work on them. Look for the Toast washer to come back to life sometime soon! Gordon | ||
| Post# 499932 , Reply# 12 2/27/2011 at 20:19 (4,807 days old) by cornutt (Huntsville, AL USA) | ||
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Dryer in reply #6... The green one... I don't think I've ever seen a Kenmore with that radio-dial-style timer display. What year is that? | ||
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Post# 499934 , Reply# 13 2/27/2011 at 20:42 (4,807 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Green dryer -
I am pretty sure that's a 1970 model. I didn't check the model number, but it's not newer than a 1971. I am not enthused about that panel. The "radio dial" comparison is a great one though... I saw a matching washer, also in green, in 1981 when my Dad and I installed a basket drive in our 1974 Kenmore. The Sears parts store where I got the part had a service center in back, and they showed us how to install it on a machine they had in for service. Oddly, there are two of our 74 model here in this thread. The two Kenmores I remember in the service dept. were the green "window washer" as I called it, and a coppertone 1963 Lady K like the one in the beginning of this thread. | ||
| Post# 499945 , Reply# 15 2/27/2011 at 21:35 (4,806 days old) by miele_ge (Danbury, Connecticut) | ||
Gordon... that washer in your profile picture is very much l Grandma worked for the local Sears store in the credit department. Not sure if that machine is the exact model she had but it is very close. I think the lid had a black background with operating instructions on it in white and the dial may have had more graphics. When she came to live with us after grampa died in '69, the machine came with her and replaced an older Maytag. Where is it in the model line up (BOL, MOL, TOL) and do you know what year it was from? We had it until the mid 70's when it was replaced by a BOL Kennmore - only 2 water temps (hot and warm) and one cycle. I argued passionatly about the benefits of the next machine up but I was only 10 or so so I lost - LOL. Was thrilled when that machine died and was replaced with a GE MOL Filter Flo (with the black console and red laser line) in the early 90's - that was a great machine - had the extra clean cycle with the extra rinse. Mom had that machine until we moved her laundry from the basement to the first floor and installed a stacking GE front loading set which she is using now.
BTW, we are going to be in Denver, NC in April visiting former neighbors. How far is that from you? | ||
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Post# 499966 , Reply# 16 2/27/2011 at 23:04 (4,806 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI) |
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My friends had the Sears Kenmore set w/ the "radio-style dial" in Post #6... (The timer dials had an A, B, C, D, E, F, G for each fabric/function, too!)
However, as the dryer was breaking down they went back 'n' forth to & from the laundromat that was next door to my friend's father's business (& my friend even dried his uniform once at my house) until I saw a Kenmore dryer box in front of the house years later... But when I went to this friend's house (after years of not seeing one-another) both the washer AND dryer seemed to have been replaced at once (and by what seemed to be what would make "a matched set") and I remember a cooler put on top of the washer, which I tried to move to open the lid to see what dispensers the washer might have had (the old one had Bleach, Fabric, Softener & even Detergent) before anyone freaked out!!!! LOL! So I definitely want to see just where that avocado green "Sears Kenmore 8 CYCLES Self-Cleaning Filter / A, B, C, D, E, F, G" and "Sears Kenmore SOFT HEAT Wrinkle Guard / Fabric Master", each boasted on each of the control panels, Washer & Dryer went!! -- Dave | ||
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Post# 500101 , Reply# 17 2/28/2011 at 15:25 (4,806 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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| Post# 500109 , Reply# 18 2/28/2011 at 16:15 (4,806 days old) by aldspinboy (Philadelphia, Pa) | ||
Hello Gordon WOW great kenmores I would have a great time at your place.
What is that Irish machine in picture Three ? The first machine was the one I grew up with Miss Miller machine,The other kids would play outside while I was wacthing her machine. She had a Large slash pantry room and the pair would just light up that room. I could not understand what the alphabet was...It was hard for me to understand at the time, and no numeric numbers had me gussing lol. That great almond color in the last picture post is my faverite color of all!!! Very Very nice collection of Kenmores !!! Thanks for posting. Darren k. | ||
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Post# 500113 , Reply# 19 2/28/2011 at 16:39 (4,806 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN) |
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I would agree that the "radio style" Kenmore machines were a 1970 model. My mother had a suds washer of that design. It was purchased off the floor of a small-town "catalog" store in the fall of 1971 (to replace a Maytag wringer) pretty much on the eve of my birth. Below is a fuzzy picture of that machine and the 1967 70-series dryer that are my the machines of my childhood.
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| Post# 500126 , Reply# 20 2/28/2011 at 17:26 (4,806 days old) by retromania (Anderson, South Carolina) | ||
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Love love love that 800 series!! | ||
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Post# 502144 , Reply# 21 3/7/2011 at 10:04 (4,799 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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I almost forgot!
In the seventh picture, I mentioned that the white washer in the middle had a funny story to it. Actually, the washer with the walnut colored plastic control panel does too, but I'll start with the white one in the middle. When I get these Arizona washers, my contact out there sends me e-mails with pictures of each machine and the model/serial number. There were two in this batch that didn't have model numbers. I figured they had just fallen off. One of them is the middle white washer, but I knew it to be a 1970 or 1971 model, and was a little surprised to see the notched lid, as this was a 1972 iteration and there was a separate version of this washer in 1972 which had different console coloring, so I couldn't understand why KM kept the original in production. This was back in the fall - the machines made their way to my Phoenix warehouse connection quickly and then began their cross-country journey in January. When the machines arrived here, I opened each package to see what I got, like a kid at Christmas. I was not entirely enthused about the white 1970 because of the worn panel, etc but was curious about it. When I opened the lid, I was very surprised, needless to say. The 1970 model is actually a hybrid - the control panel of a 1970/71 and the rest is from a 1980 Kenmore 200 series BOL washer. Upon opening the lid I expected to have a gold Super Roto-Swirl greet me with a softener dispenser on top with a standard capacity tub. NOPE! Instead there was a large 18lb. basket with a Penta-Vane! After thinking about what models this washer started out as, I nailed it down to one specific model - the 1980 200 series due to it's lack of lint filter, the painted top and lid (not porcelain), and the plastic lid hinges which debuted that year. I am actually now hoping to bring this machine back to it's glory. The cabinet and top/lid are in phenominal condition. I have one of these that was only in service from 1980 to 1993, and it is all rusted and deteriorated from being on the east coast. This model offered an ivory colored plastic control panel, two cycles (normal and permanent press), timer set temps, no water level adjustment, and a white control knob. If anyone knows of a donor control panel and timer bezel that could go back onto this machine, I'd be ecstatic! More pics to follow tonight. Gordon | ||
| Post# 502148 , Reply# 23 3/7/2011 at 10:27 (4,799 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
An eye-opening story | ||
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Post# 502154 , Reply# 24 3/7/2011 at 11:13 (4,799 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Randy - that would be great - you are welcome to visit and I would enjoy meeting you.
MickeyD - The "Frankensteining" of Kenmore/Whirlpools (I have called it 'bastardization' before too) was fairly common, and probably is with direct-drive machines today as well. With so many interchangeable parts on widely produced machines, swaps such as this were very common. I even helped one time at a washer rebuilding shop, very much unlike me because I am a purist in both cars and washers, to convert an electronic Kenmore washer into a fancy timered model because the electronic power supply was bad. I like things to remain as-built, but this saved the rest of the washer from scrap. I will admit that I transplanted numerous porcelain enameled tops onto machines that came OEM with painted (aka rusted) tops. In fact, two of my daily drivers have them right now. Many times I've seen Whirlpool agitators in a Kenmore or vice versa, I've seen one black panel control mated to a different model, Whirlpool tops and lids with Kenmore control panels, the list goes on. For rebuilders, most kept parts and parts donor machines, and they were often fairly indiscriminant in what they married with what, so long as it worked. In this particular case, the wiring harness from the 1970 machine would have not connected at all with the smaller, lesser harness from the 1980 model (due to lack of the second speed, no off-balance relay, no dispenser solenoids, etc.), so underneath one can see where the two were mated together with bunches of electrical tape. Can't wait to un-do that. It will be interesting to see if the machine has had a two-speed motor mated in, or if the delicate cycle on that fairly well equipped 1970 ran in high-speed. That walnut-brown plastic panel machine to the left front from the white washer has been treated to some DNA swapping too - inside is a standard capacity Whirlpool Surgilator with a Kenmore Roto-Swirl cap, in a machine that is supposed to have a white Penta-Vane. The little agitator looks overwhelmed in there. Gordon | ||
| Post# 502162 , Reply# 25 3/7/2011 at 12:12 (4,799 days old) by elginkid (Cincinnati, OH) | ||
Dispenser Cup '72 70 Series
My 1972 70 series has matching dispenser cups inside as well, though mine are Harvest, instead of Coppertone.
Also, how long did they make the "radio-dial" Kenmores? I remember that we had an unmatched Kenmore set when I was growing up, and that the dryer was older. That style of dial is the only thing I remember about it. My parents weren't married till 1970, and they didn't have a house until the mid 70s, so I'm guessing the dryer was 74-79ish. Wes | ||
| Post# 502166 , Reply# 26 3/7/2011 at 12:29 (4,799 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
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Parts Forgot you were a car person, G. Was trying to recall the car people in the club because a few days aago I got a spectacular email of objects made from car parts, I'll send now and maybe you can figure out how to share it in the "Tub Turns" forum. You won't believe what this guy did. Of course, one can't help but think of the artisitc possibilities with washer parts.
Here, there's quite a bit of parts swapping and retro-fitting among the agitators, hoses, and filling systems. So much fun and satisfying when it works. The most dramatic are the 4 paddle Norge agitator installed in the faster agitating later model SQ Conventional, and morphing the filtering system in the Visimatic into a cascading, waterfall, fresh-water inlet for washing and underflow rinsing.
Scrolling up, I see we have twins, fraternal but not indentical, in the 63 LK'S. Congrats. Between the Bronze and Turq could not decide which one is prettier.
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| Post# 502228 , Reply# 27 3/7/2011 at 17:00 (4,799 days old) by retromania (Anderson, South Carolina) | ||
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Me too Gordon. I want to come see the collection some time. I'm two hours away in upstate SC. Andy | ||
| Post# 502229 , Reply# 28 3/7/2011 at 17:02 (4,799 days old) by retromania (Anderson, South Carolina) | ||
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Mickeyd: Do you have that Lady Kenmore in your profile photo? That is a beautiful machine! | ||
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Post# 502233 , Reply# 29 3/7/2011 at 17:22 (4,799 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Wes, I think the "radio-dial" Kenmores (such a perfect name) were made only a year or so. They are not the most attractive machines, so I don't think they sold on looks like some models in part did. They never seemed very plentiful, which means they either didn't sell well or they weren't available long, or in this case maybe a little of both! I don't think much with Kenmore laundry tanked on the market, not in a regular washer or dryer anyway, but some obviously sold better than others. This is not a high-end or BOL machine, so mid-line stuff usually sold quite well.
If you look at the washer next to the radio dryer, it has most of the same console, and I think that version is what sold more heavily, as they were from the same time period. There was a 1972 radio dial washer also. It was nearly TOL. It had the panel frame of my coppertone 1972 in this same thread, a full-width light, a vertical dial window and the same water level switch, a Variflex agitator, and the quiet pak belt. I have not seen many of those either. Gordon | ||
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Post# 502367 , Reply# 30 3/8/2011 at 08:47 (4,798 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Post# 502368 , Reply# 31 3/8/2011 at 08:50 (4,798 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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A pretty big tub though huh? Can you believe this model was originally sold without an adjustable water level? Kenmore only sold a couple big-tub models ever without at least two water levels.
The dust on the tub ring is not the usual detergent and scum build-up that I see, but Arizona desert sand. It has an oddly pleasing scent when it gets wet, and usually wipes right off. 
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Post# 502369 , Reply# 32 3/8/2011 at 08:53 (4,798 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Post# 502370 , Reply# 33 3/8/2011 at 09:03 (4,798 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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More of the 1974 60-series machines
This one has a shiny panel, I hope the water spots come off. This machine has a lot of features for a 60-series.
This was the second washer model that my Mom got. We had it from 1974 until 1983, when I sold it to a friend (so I could know what happened to it) when we moved to NC and got our 1983 Kenmore. 
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Post# 502371 , Reply# 34 3/8/2011 at 09:04 (4,798 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Tub shot | ||
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Post# 502372 , Reply# 35 3/8/2011 at 09:15 (4,798 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Post# 502373 , Reply# 36 3/8/2011 at 09:16 (4,798 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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| Post# 502547 , Reply# 38 3/8/2011 at 21:16 (4,798 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada) | ||
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Post# 502551 , Reply# 39 3/8/2011 at 21:35 (4,797 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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 Great pictures! I had the "middle washer in the seventh picture" as well, loved that machine. I bought it from a used appliance shop, as is, for $15 delivered in 1987. It wouldn't spin so after some exploratory poking around, I fixed the wigwag pin with a bent nail and it worked perfectly. My first restoration :-)
I always wanted that "radio dial" washer & dryer - some friends of ours had that set in their garage they were left behind in a new rental house purchase. I wanted them instead of our GE's in the worst way - only a handful of years old at the time, I was convinced we had to have them.
I have the white version of your Coffee washer and have grown to really love it. It's maybe not the prettiest Kenmore but it does grow on you after a while. Since I was a little kid, that timer dial always got my heart racing for some reason - and now I have one!
Thanks for sharing your stored-collection with us, brought back many Kenmore memories! 
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Post# 502555 , Reply# 40 3/8/2011 at 21:48 (4,797 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Randy -
Yes, those are definitely Penta-Vanes in the last handful of photos. These are the original version (1973-1981); the 1981-1986 version is white and has a couple minor modifications that are hardly noticeable. The Penta-Swirl also came in both colors. Although technically speaking any non-compact belt-drive agitator would fit in your machine (EXCEPT the original 1967-1972(ish) super-tall centerpost agitators which are too tall) I think most of them won't work unfortunately. The problem with your machine, I am presuming anyway, is that if it has an original transmission (as lightly used as it looks I would be surprised if not), the agitator shaft is not compatible with splined agitators like the Pentas and anything made of Polypropylene. You'll be limited to bakelite 'tators like the Surgilator, and the two Roto-Swirls. The easiest way to tell is to look at the drive block under your agitator - if it is metal, you can't use the plastic agitators. If it is plastic either in gray or creme color, then you can remove that and use any of the basic BD agitators. You'll need the proper caps and seals however that go with each agitator, in order to ensure your centerpost and bearings have the best chance of remaining dry. Gordon This post was last edited 03/08/2011 at 22:45 | ||
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Post# 502556 , Reply# 41 3/8/2011 at 21:50 (4,797 days old) by appnut (TX) |
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Radio-dial washer & dryer Wasn't that the set that was on the set of Knotts Landing in the Karen & Sid Fairgate laundry room? If I remember correctly, Scott, now in California, was really fascinated by that set. Actually I think the intent of that style of panel was to add an air of sophistication or avante garge style. These were MOL machines with higher-end features such as alphabet washing and solid state sensing dryer and lighted control panels. | ||
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Post# 502595 , Reply# 42 3/8/2011 at 23:03 (4,797 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Greg -
Glad you enjoyed the pictures! I had fun playing with the machines that day. I really like the 1972 Kenmore 700 and yours is absolutely FANTASTIC. What's its story? I know that Dave/Volvoguy87 has one too, his in gold, so we'll have a trifecta of colors if I get mine cleaned up and working. I noticed a missing hose the other day that might be a challenge. Kevin sent me one in Avocado that needs some TLC, so that should cover all the colors! The timer in the coppertone washer is a challenge to turn, so I may be sending it to Midwest for rebuild. YES INDEED, there is something about those knobs isn't there? I have no idea how to explain it, but you and I might have been the same age when they came out, but somehow they made me go nutty for new washers anytime I saw them on the Sears floor. I guess I should say "Nuttier than usual". The knob was available in all white (bol), white skirt with silver knob, black skirt with silver knob, all black (also for bol), and all silver. I like the all-silver the best. Our 1972 dryer had the white skirt and silver knob. They had some very handsome machines back then and I still call one or two of them on the top of my dream list. Again, that's a great looking washer you have! Gordon | ||
| Post# 502609 , Reply# 43 3/9/2011 at 00:18 (4,797 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.) | ||
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Knots Landing laundry room: Yep they were, the washer in Reply # 19 and the dryer on the left in Reply # 6 above were the matched set in the Fairgate's laundry room. They are a 1970 Model 70/700 series set. They were featured on Knot's Landing from Season 2 until the end of the show. Have a good one, James | ||
| Post# 502652 , Reply# 45 3/9/2011 at 06:24 (4,797 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA) | ||
Gansky,,, | ||
| Post# 503029 , Reply# 46 3/10/2011 at 16:49 (4,796 days old) by retromania (Anderson, South Carolina) | ||
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I remember that amber colored agitator. | ||
| Post# 503536 , Reply# 47 3/12/2011 at 14:27 (4,794 days old) by queeny77 (BERWYN, ILLINOIS) | ||
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Post# 503903 , Reply# 48 3/13/2011 at 19:19 (4,793 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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| Post# 503905 , Reply# 49 3/13/2011 at 19:31 (4,793 days old) by supremewhirlpol () | ||
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Gordon, Are you getting rid of these machines? | ||
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Post# 503987 , Reply# 50 3/14/2011 at 09:26 (4,792 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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| Post# 504049 , Reply# 51 3/14/2011 at 14:56 (4,792 days old) by wireman (Lansing, MI) | ||
Kinda funny...
Thanks for posting these! Pretty certain my Mom had the 1963 600. Were these the MOL? I DO recall the turquoise ovals on the panel.
We shared a two flat house wih my grandparents during the 60 and all the laundry was in the basement. Mom was quite proud of her new Kenmores, but she could not talk my Grandma into using them! She did NOT trust those new fangled automatics, and instead relied on the ol' wringer washer she'd brought from the farm on Beaver Island, MI and placed next to the modern interlopers. If she couldn't hang the clothes outside, she'd hang them in the basement to dry. I think that many (esp. rural) folks still saw dryers as an expensive extravagance; Mom didn't seem to use the dryer much and seemed to hang most of our clothes. One convenience she embraced WHOLEheartedly though was the TV dinner! Again, Grandma would rather make things from scratch! Thanks for bringing back some GREAT memories, Gordon! Duane | ||
| Post# 504112 , Reply# 52 3/14/2011 at 18:18 (4,792 days old) by retromania (Anderson, South Carolina) | ||
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wireman What's a 'two flat' house? Andy | ||
| Post# 504206 , Reply# 54 3/15/2011 at 06:25 (4,791 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA) | ||
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Kenmore Store | ||
| Post# 504208 , Reply# 55 3/15/2011 at 06:39 (4,791 days old) by retromania (Anderson, South Carolina) | ||
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I second that... I think Malcolm's right. And I'm going get to Charlotte to the that collection. It is remarkable Gordon! | ||
| Post# 504215 , Reply# 56 3/15/2011 at 08:14 (4,791 days old) by autowasherfreak () | ||
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Lovely Kenmores I would love to have a belt drive Kenmore! Especially that 800 in the first picture. | ||
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Post# 504365 , Reply# 57 3/15/2011 at 21:33 (4,791 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Malcolm's restoration busines idea
That's a really good idea Malcolm. I used to have such a business in the 1990s, which is where I got much of my working experience on these machines. It was strictly a hobby, I did it in my spare time out of my garage, and for the most part I loved every minute of it, at least early on. I eventually rebuilt (or mostly so) something like 55 or 56 WPs and Kenmores, 1967 to 1986 models.
I had intended to do this ever since my Dad and I put a basket drive in our '74 Kenmore in 1981. I felt it was too soon to dispose of the washer, nor did I want to let it go to scrap (I didn't know there were rebuild shops then) so I talked my parents into trying to fix it, AFTER Mom had bought a new, but as yet undelivered machine. We succeeded, I was ecstatic, and long story short, I decided that I would do the same work on other machines when I had my own house since both parents flat-out said "NO!" to the idea of doing this at home when I was 16. I enjoyed it from fall 1990 to about 1997. I worked out a deal with Sears in Charlotte for my washer buddy/mentor to pick-up all their haul-aways, and we saved countless hundreds of machines from the Sears compactor. Of those, my buddy and a colleague of his worked on them full time for many years, and I got to pick from what was left, especially when he was overloaded. That is where some of my machines that I have today came from, including the 1974 machine on the left of the twin pair in this post. I could go out to the garage on a Saturday morning and start on a machine, and stay out there ALL DAY until it was dark. Never ate anything, no phone, no socializing, just the radio (1960s oldies mostly which today remind me of washer work) the machine, and me. What a way to blow a whole day! In the mid 90s I moved across town, and stopped spending so much time with my friend (I feel bad about that to this day). I kept working on my own, and had enough business that word of mouth referrals sold every machine I could complete. It became less fun and more work, and finally the last machine I sold, which I worked on when I had bronchitis only to get a nagging referral off my back, sapped the last enthusiasm I had and I put all the rest of my machines in the infamous storage trailer and the rest was done history until I found AW.org in very early 2008. I would love to find homes for many of these machines now. I got many of them to save from the crusher or because it was too easy not to. However, I don't want to recreate the "work" that they were toward the end last time, and I am not sure many people here would be willing to wait for me to get them a machine ready on my schedule. Time will tell - I have a couple machines including both the coppertone machines in this post, the 63 and the 72, that I want to get running this spring and summer. I have the '64 Lady and the other '61 70 that I must do soon too. After those, if there is something in my collection that someone would like that I don't want to keep, I'd be all for it. I think this year is going to be a good year for washer work, at least I hope and that's how it feels, so we'll see. Gordon | ||
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Post# 507263 , Reply# 59 3/27/2011 at 12:56 (4,779 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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On Wireman's 63 600 and TV dinners
I haven't seen but one or two 63 600 washers, but have seen a number of the dryers, which were usually paired originally with the matching washer then with a later vintage Kenmore washer. The 1963 600 set took center stage in my fall 1962 catalog, in addition to the 62 800 on the next page. Not sure why, but most of what I've ever come across from this era of Kenmore is either a 70-series or an 800/Lady K. I have no idea why that would be unless that was a result of successful marketing of the upper end machines from Sears?
About TV dinners - funny, just last night I was thinking how an old fashioned Salisbury Steak dinner with a brownie in the back of the tray would taste great, lol. Do they even make them like that anymore? I haven't looked in years. Gordon | ||
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