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Thread Number: 55382
An unexpected Whirlpool find! |
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Post# 777822 8/17/2014 at 16:39 (3,538 days old) by swestoyz  (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Yesterday I ran across something that I wasn't even looking for. I was helping a local charity out by picking up donated furniture, then delivering it to consumer's homes.
One of the pick up houses was a 1 owner 1963 ranch in Cedar Falls. The house was in amazing condition and had a great layout. There was an early 50's Magic Chef range in the kitchen, so I asked if there were any old washers in the basement. Normally we all hear no, but yesterday I heard a yes. I headed downstairs and saw this in the corner. 
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Post# 777823 , Reply# 1 8/17/2014 at 16:45 (3,538 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post# 777826 , Reply# 2 8/17/2014 at 16:49 (3,538 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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From what I can tell, it's a carry over Supreme panel, similar to a 1960 model, on a 1962 base. I found an ink date stamping of Apr 9th, 1962. So it could be anywhere in that 60-62 model run. Unfortunately this generation of Whirlpool is much more rare than Kenmores; you just never see them, or documentation.
It's in pretty decent shape, no major dings or chips in the porcelain. UPDATE: I just looked closer at the model tag, and realized I has not looked at the actual model number, just the stock number. It appears this is indeed a 1961 model. Too cool - first model year cabinet! 
This post was last edited 08/17/2014 at 18:14 | ||
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Post# 777828 , Reply# 3 8/17/2014 at 16:51 (3,538 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post# 777829 , Reply# 4 8/17/2014 at 16:53 (3,538 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Reason for the repair - the spin shaft is almost rusted to the center post bearings. Otherwise, everything else checks out good.
UPDATE: after looking at the model tag, I discovered this is a 1961 model year. First year for the transmission braces. 
This post was last edited 08/17/2014 at 18:16 | ||
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Post# 777830 , Reply# 5 8/17/2014 at 16:54 (3,538 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post# 777832 , Reply# 6 8/17/2014 at 17:00 (3,538 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Funny thing about this washer: the wiring diagram calls for a pilot light for the timer controls, and also a fluorescent light for the panel. However, this model was produced without a fluorescent light! I had to remedy this...
I went to Menards and grabbed an 11" kitchen under-cabinet lamp and some 3M commands strips. I tapped into the pilot light contact on the timer for power, and stuck the light on the back cover... 
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Post# 777833 , Reply# 7 8/17/2014 at 17:01 (3,538 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post# 777834 , Reply# 8 8/17/2014 at 17:02 (3,538 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post# 777835 , Reply# 9 8/17/2014 at 17:05 (3,538 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post# 777837 , Reply# 10 8/17/2014 at 17:11 (3,538 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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Congrats! What A Find!
Two more beauties saved from a horrible fate!
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Post# 777846 , Reply# 11 8/17/2014 at 18:03 (3,538 days old) by bigalsf (Salt Lake City) |
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1961 Whirlpool Great find Ben! I grew up with the model from 1963 which was very similar, except it had the smaller control box, but with the same features & cycles. This brings back many fond memories! :) The machine looks like it's in pretty good shape. Have fun with it! Hope it makes the "keep" list! | ||
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Post# 777847 , Reply# 12 8/17/2014 at 18:55 (3,538 days old) by hydralique (Los Angeles) |
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What a Beauty . . . That's a wonderful find, as noted the Whirly is much rarer than the Kenmores. I think you'll have to keep it to have something from the "other side" of the Whirlpool-Kenmore family tree, now that the panel lights up the Lady Ks should be willing to accept it as an equal. | ||
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Post# 777852 , Reply# 13 8/17/2014 at 19:24 (3,538 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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1961 RCA Whirlpool Supreme
Great find Ben, yes WP only sold a fraction of the washers during this time period that they built for Sears, Sears had much lower prices for a similar washer, as much as $100 less which was real money in those days, so you do indeed have a rare model. Sales of higher end machines [ and all washers ] was also very weak during 1959-1962 as we were still coming out of the Eisenhower induced recession, in the next few years staring about 1963 the economy really took off.
Your machine looks very orignal except for a newer water pump, bad thing it needs main bearings spin tube and seals badly. Also the WP built washers before 1964 still had the non HD transmissions, so unless it is to get almost use in the future I would install a later model transmission when rebuilding. John L. | ||
| Post# 777887 , Reply# 14 8/17/2014 at 23:53 (3,538 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada) | ||
Congratulations! | ||
| Post# 777916 , Reply# 15 8/18/2014 at 07:18 (3,538 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA) | ||
Agitator Cap! | ||
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Post# 777928 , Reply# 17 8/18/2014 at 09:01 (3,537 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut) |
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Aferim and OMG! | ||
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Post# 777962 , Reply# 18 8/18/2014 at 12:24 (3,537 days old) by turquoisedude (.) |
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Post# 777964 , Reply# 19 8/18/2014 at 12:28 (3,537 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Thanks for the kind words, everyone! The panel really is pretty cool and I don't believe I've seen this exact one pop up in my tenure at AW. However, Eddie has a very similar '61, but the control panel lens is different, and I don't believe the timer panel is back-lit. But, his machine has a tub light and an ozone bulb. If Rick is reading this - were those original or did you add them when you restored the machine?
I have several 78 and later transmissions laying around, so if I were to restore this one it wouldn't be an issue getting it up and running again. Maybe I should stick to only two Kenmores and one Whirlpool.
Here's a shot of Eddie's 61 for comparison: CLICK HERE TO GO TO swestoyz's LINK 
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| Post# 777967 , Reply# 20 8/18/2014 at 12:44 (3,537 days old) by moparguy (Virginia) | ||
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Wow, awesome looking washers! I love it with the light in it! Congratulations on a wonderful find! | ||
| Post# 777977 , Reply# 21 8/18/2014 at 14:21 (3,537 days old) by hippiedoll ( arizona ) | ||
OH WOW!!!
what a cool find!!! and to think, you could of missed out on that, if you didn't ask about any washers!!! to me, it sounds like it was MEANT to be!!!
i can't believe how good of condition it looks to be in!! and yes, the lights (original & added) look really cool on this whirlpool!!! man, i am happy for you. VERY COOL!!!! :o) | ||
| Post# 777978 , Reply# 22 8/18/2014 at 14:33 (3,537 days old) by golittlesport (California) | ||
Beautiful machine! | ||
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Post# 777988 , Reply# 23 8/18/2014 at 15:01 (3,537 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK) |
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"Whirlpool Supreme" | ||
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Post# 778007 , Reply# 24 8/18/2014 at 16:03 (3,537 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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Post# 778012 , Reply# 25 8/18/2014 at 16:14 (3,537 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land) |
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WOW!
Hey Ben, CONGRATS on saving the rare find, that's really awesome!
On another note, at this moment I have the matching dryer to the washer Eddie has/had.
Too bad they're on opposite coasts!
Kevin
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| Post# 778017 , Reply# 26 8/18/2014 at 16:30 (3,537 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada) | ||
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Kevin, what's the year of your dryer? The shape of the logo on the lens looks similar to the one on my 1965 Inglis single speed washer and dryer set. | ||
| Post# 778025 , Reply# 27 8/18/2014 at 16:58 (3,537 days old) by hippiedoll ( arizona ) | ||
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very cool kevin..... | ||
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Post# 778063 , Reply# 28 8/18/2014 at 20:35 (3,537 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post# 778074 , Reply# 29 8/18/2014 at 21:05 (3,537 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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| Post# 778136 , Reply# 30 8/19/2014 at 04:48 (3,537 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod) | ||
Beautiful Ben.
Love the way the dial lights up.
Yes the Money Shot is identical to my Whirlpool. I hope it doesn't need much work. Mine needs some substantial work. Maybe this winter. Wow Kev. I didn't realize you have the matching dryer. How cool is that. And a Glass Door to boot !!! They are beautiful machines. Too bad they don't style them like that anymore. Everything now is so monochromatic so to speak. Just like most cars. Can't tell the brands apart. | ||
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Post# 778161 , Reply# 31 8/19/2014 at 08:36 (3,536 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Hey there Eddie - thanks for the kind words. Any chance you could grab the model number of your Whirlpool, or even maybe a picture of the model tag? I'm curious to see what the model number of your washer is compared to this one.
If I keep this Whirlpool (and I'm leaning towards that decision and kicking out a 3rd Kenmore project), it will need a total tear-down and rebuild as well.
But, if it's got lights, it's worth it. | ||
| Post# 778166 , Reply# 32 8/19/2014 at 09:39 (3,536 days old) by rickr (.) | ||
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Great save Ben! I did not expect to see such a classic, when I clicked on this thread. (I guessed it would be another 83 WP with the angel wings)
This 61 Whirlpool was my first classic machine,(2003) and I did not really rebuild the machine. I just cleaned it up, touched up the cabinet, replaced the hoses, and added the console light, and tub and ozone lamps. The machine came from South Carolina, BTW. Then to Fort Wayne, then to MA. So it has been around. I always thought this style of WP was a beautiful machine! Here it is in my basement in 2003. Congrats on a great save! Thats a keeper!:> 
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Post# 778169 , Reply# 33 8/19/2014 at 09:52 (3,536 days old) by peteski50 (New York) |
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Whirlpool! | ||
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Post# 778173 , Reply# 34 8/19/2014 at 10:04 (3,536 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI) |
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Congratulations! | ||
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Post# 778190 , Reply# 35 8/19/2014 at 12:02 (3,536 days old) by polkanut (Wausau, WI ) |
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Post# 794759 , Reply# 36 11/18/2014 at 18:30 (3,445 days old) by ovrphil (N.Atlanta / Georgia ) |
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I am stubbling into this thread after the universe was created.
It's a great find - not much more to say that hasn't been said. But I will tell you Ben, you sure got lucky and although the whole machine appeals to me, the panel and the lights are my favorite. Today's machines may have lights, but these old machines have class. | ||
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Comes to the Rescue!
Nonetheless, nice save Ben.;){kind=link}
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