A dream set - Matching Pink Maytags

Evening guys and gals ~

I thought I'd share a fun experience I had this weekend. I got a call yesterday from a fella inquiring about one of the wanted ads I have out locally for vintage automatic washers. I asked the old boy what he had, and said that he'd like to get rid of a washer and dryer that he had bought new back in 1960. My heart then skipped a beat - but he then hit me with a one-two punch - it was a matching PINK Maytag washer/dryer set! After the immediate cardiac arrest, I scribbled down his address, and set up a loose time to get to his place on Sunday. After checking out the address on Google Maps - it appeared that he lived across the street from my Grandma! The irony in this is a few Easter's ago, I had found a beaten up A806 on the curbside across the street from the very same house. I didn't know if it would be a low end Highlander, or a possible 142 or A700 as I didn't want too sound to picky over the phone.

After a quick call this afternoon, I walked across the street from Grandma's with the appliance dolly and met up with Paul. I walked in his garage and immediately spotted a harvest gold Kitchen-Aid KDS-18, and wanted to rush to the basement! After walking down the stairs, there low and behold was a mint set of Pink Maytags, that were purchased new in January of 1960, from an now defunct local appliance store. He said he and his wife moved into their house in February of 1960, and had started building their home in August of 1959. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. The washer is an April of 1959 P142S, and the dryer is a 741C. I couldn't believe how good of shape the machines where, but noticed off to the side a low end matching set of harvest gold mid-70's Maytags, and then realized that he and his wife had only used these machines for about 15 years or so. I asked if he still had the owner's manuals, and he did, but didn't know where to look. He said they had never been repaired, but his wife demanded a new set as the timer "didn't work." Thankfully, instead of hauling the old Pink set out back when shag was in, he just pushed them into a corner in his basement, and they collected dust for 30 years until today.

Once I got them unload back at the house, it seems that both work just fine mechanically, and both timers seem to work. Besides needing a new wash tub, the washer shouldn't be too much fuss, but I will hold out for an electric dryer and paint the panels if needed. Last year June seemed to be a Maytag month - and this year is definitely holding up to this! It is pretty hard to find a one-owner set of machines, as a story can now be told along with the beautiful set.

Enjoy the quick photos:

CLICK HERE TO GO TO swestoyz's LINK


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Post# 135191 6/11/2006 at 22:49 (6,528 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes Evening guys and gals ~ I thought I'd share a fun experience I had this weekend. I got a call yesterday from a fella inquiring about one of the wanted ads I have out locally for vintage automatic washers. I asked the old boy what he had, and said that he'd like to get rid of a washer and dryer that he had bought new back in 1960. My heart then skipped a beat - but he then hit me with a one-two punch - it was a matching PINK Maytag washer/dryer set! After the immediate cardiac arrest, I scribbled down his address, and set up a loose time to get to his place on Sunday. After checking out the address on Google Maps - it appeared that he lived across the street from my Grandma! The irony in this is a few Easter's ago, I had found a beaten up A806 on the curbside across the street from the very same house. I didn't know if it would be a low end Highlander, or a possible 142 or A700 as I didn't want too sound to picky over the phone. After a quick call this afternoon, I walked across the street from Grandma's with the appliance dolly and met up with Paul. I walked in his garage and immediately spotted a harvest gold Kitchen-Aid KDS-18, and wanted to rush to the basement! After walking down the stairs, there low and behold was a mint set of Pink Maytags, that were purchased new in January of 1960, from an now defunct local appliance store. He said he and his wife moved into their house in February of 1960, and had started building their home in August of 1959. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. The washer is an April of 1959 P142S, and the dryer is a 741C. I couldn't believe how good of shape the machines where, but noticed off to the side a low end matching set of harvest gold mid-70's Maytags, and then realized that he and his wife had only used these machines for about 15 years or so. I asked if he still had the owner's manuals, and he did, but didn't know where to look. He said they had never been repaired, but his wife demanded a new set as the timer "didn't work." Thankfully, instead of hauling the old Pink set out back when shag was in, he just pushed them into a corner in his basement, and they collected dust for 30 years until today. Once I got them unload back at the house, it seems that both work just fine mechanically, and both timers seem to work. Besides needing a new wash tub, the washer shouldn't be too much fuss, but I will hold out for an electric dryer and paint the panels if needed. Last year June seemed to be a Maytag month - and this year is definitely holding up to this! It is pretty hard to find a one-owner set of machines, as a story can now be told along with the beautiful set. Enjoy the quick photos: CLICK HERE TO GO TO swestoyz's LINK

Post# 135192 , Reply# 1 6/11/2006 at 22:59 (6,528 days old) by brettsomers ()
Checkrate/Likes why would the porcelain be so damaged? was the porcelain poor quality? or did the woman use it a super-lot?

Post# 135193 , Reply# 2 6/11/2006 at 23:09 (6,528 days old) by maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)
Checkrate/Likes *Oh, Ben--* What restorable beauties! I am politely asking--what's the deal with a gas dryer? Lawrence/Maytagbear

Post# 135194 , Reply# 3 6/11/2006 at 23:12 (6,528 days old) by appnut (TX)
Checkrate/Likes The tub issue--because she overloaded the machine constantly whereby very little turnover occurred and garments got dragged back & forth rubbing on the tub.

Post# 135198 , Reply# 4 6/11/2006 at 23:36 (6,528 days old) by dadoes (TX,�U.S. of A.)
Checkrate/Likes Wow! My friend Brenda wants a pink pair in the worst way. If these were for sale, she'd likely drive up there to fetch them herself!

Post# 135202 , Reply# 5 6/11/2006 at 23:42 (6,528 days old) by brettsomers ()
Checkrate/Likes This pair is to DIE for! though maybe not original, the new white basket with a TURQUOISE Powerfin will look SMASHING! i should point out, Maytag hadnt caught onto the sheer look yet, lol? the cabinet finishes look amazing!

Post# 135203 , Reply# 6 6/12/2006 at 00:00 (6,528 days old) by lightedcontrols ()
Checkrate/Likes *WOW!!!!!!!!* Ben, Those are GAWJUS!!!.... well, I'm speechless!!! Mark

Post# 135210 , Reply# 7 6/12/2006 at 00:46 (6,528 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm)
Checkrate/Likes *Purty Hot Stuff you Got* There. What?; you don't fancy the Gas Drying.

Post# 135218 , Reply# 8 6/12/2006 at 04:17 (6,528 days old) by mistervain ()
Checkrate/Likes That's a beautiful set, congratulations! Whatta find!!

Post# 135219 , Reply# 9 6/12/2006 at 04:20 (6,528 days old) by trainguy (Key West, FL)
Checkrate/Likes *Congrats!* Beautiful set - great find!

Post# 135229 , Reply# 12 6/12/2006 at 07:02 (6,528 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)
Checkrate/Likes WOW! What a great find. Those machines have my favorite console colors. Black pushbuttons and control knob, with a copper ring around the control knob.And a wonderful GAS HOH dryer! Awesome!

Post# 135231 , Reply# 13 6/12/2006 at 07:13 (6,528 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)
Checkrate/Likes Gorgeous! I love the look of the black pushbuttons against the pink. A truly classic Maytag pair.

Post# 135234 , Reply# 15 6/12/2006 at 07:25 (6,528 days old) by tlee618 ()
Checkrate/Likes Ben what an amazing story!! The set is just beautiful. Looking at your pictures with the consoles glowing takes ones breath away!! I am so happy for you!! Terry

Post# 135220 , Reply# 10 6/12/2006 at 04:50 (6,528 days old) by gregm ()
Checkrate/Likes *sweet* beautiful .............

Post# 135227 , Reply# 11 6/12/2006 at 06:49 (6,528 days old) by filterflo (Chicago Area)
Checkrate/Likes Wonderful finds, This must be Maytag month again. Im picking up a similar set, same models in white with an ELECTRIC dryer. I have the gas version of this dryer and Maytag gas dryers of this vintage can have serious burner issues. Mine would take fits and decide to stick open even after the dryer was shut off and would continue to leak gas even if the pilot light when out, and the gas was seeping from the main burner! Tried to repair it but never trusted using it again, it is just not worth the risk.......Still searching for a replacement burner for it. Hope to get my new Maytag set moved sometime this week.........

Post# 135232 , Reply# 14 6/12/2006 at 07:16 (6,528 days old) by bethann (Indianapolis)
Checkrate/Likes Congratulations Ben! I'm sure you know how I feel about this set!

Post# 135241 , Reply# 16 6/12/2006 at 08:19 (6,528 days old) by rickr (.)
Checkrate/Likes *Pretty in pink Maytags* Congratulations on finding these Ben! And to think that they were just across the street from your grandmothers,all these years, just waiting for you to rescue them. That in itself, is just way too cool! Rick

Post# 135243 , Reply# 17 6/12/2006 at 08:20 (6,528 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)
Checkrate/Likes Ben ... I am absolutely speechless!! Those are beautiful. I can't believe what you find!! Those were made the month and year I was born; how fun is that? CONGRATULATIONS on such a WONDERFUL find!! Geoff

Post# 135244 , Reply# 18 6/12/2006 at 08:20 (6,528 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)
Checkrate/Likes *Forgot ...* AND A SUDS SAVER TO BOOT!!!

Post# 135245 , Reply# 19 6/12/2006 at 08:35 (6,528 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
Checkrate/Likes Ben they are just breathtaking! What a score, great idea putting an ad into the newspaper, I've done that before with varying successes. They look like they are near mint and it shouldn't be too difficult to find a new white tub for that machine. Congrats again!

Post# 135247 , Reply# 20 6/12/2006 at 08:41 (6,528 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes It certainly pays to live close to Newton doesn't it, Ben? ;-) That is one beautiful set - not much work and it will shine like new again! I converted that gas 641c I picked up last year the day before the convention over to electrice - no trouble at all and it makes it much safer to use daily with no standing pilot. As an added bonus, you'll have the access door to use for small loads! Excellent find - congrats on the pink beauties!

Post# 135268 , Reply# 21 6/12/2006 at 12:28 (6,528 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes Wow Ben, These are just beautiful. Congratulations. I missed out on what I think were a similar set a couple months ago. I learned you have to drop everything when you think it's something you might want. I felt like I was there when I read your great story of finding these. Have fun with these! Patrick

Post# 135271 , Reply# 22 6/12/2006 at 12:35 (6,528 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes Hey Guys (and gals ;-), Thanks so much for the support on the set. I complete agree with Mark - they are just GAWJUS!! Even though I don't have much expirence with gas HOH dryers, I completely agree with Jimmy and Greg about the standing pilot/old gas parts. I feel bad as Cory and I had tossed out the DE105 months ago, but will keep my eyes peeled for a good swap dryer. I love your idea Greg as I never even thought of it till you reminded me of your dryer - nothing beats access to a small load - LOL! Yes, I have a feeling that she was too not wise in using the washer, as the tub is about shot. I was quite exicited though that the bakelite agitatior came right out - as we all know this can be a huge pain! So I will keep my eyes peeled for a highlander or another 700/702 to grab a tub from. Ever since I saw Rick's completed 142 set, I've always wanted one. I never knew it was actually going to happen. I cannot wait to start a resto on the washer, as I've decided to put the 700 conversion into a 900 on hold (I can't get the tub out!!). Thanks again for all the kind words and cheers! Ben BTW - Bethann, I think I need some clarification as to what you meant :-) ...ducks and runs...

Post# 135273 , Reply# 23 6/12/2006 at 13:00 (6,528 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)
Checkrate/Likes Awesome! Congrats. (A leaky main gas bunrer does not sound pleasant!)

Post# 135288 , Reply# 24 6/12/2006 at 14:35 (6,528 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)
Checkrate/Likes Nice score! Is this the dryer? I'm going to try that want ad idea.I know it works great with lawn tractors I collect... kennyGF

Post# 135314 , Reply# 25 6/12/2006 at 17:46 (6,527 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes Ben, you can use any Halo of Heat electric dryer for parts to convert your gassy pink HOH. I used the heater shroud from a DE806 for mine - the parts were pretty much interchangeable and fit the old cabinet just like they came out of the same era. The earlier electric models used two coils in the heater shroud and the later models only one, but it's still an easy switch. I cross-checked part numbers for motors, timers, switches and they were all the same from electric to gas models. The funny thing about those early, wide-cabinet HOH dryers is that they had the same drum as the later, narrower models - all that space around the drum was just wasted!

Post# 135379 , Reply# 26 6/13/2006 at 08:25 (6,527 days old) by hooverwheelaway ()
Checkrate/Likes *Pink!!!* Yay! Those are FaBuLoUs! Gotta love pank! ~Fred