Thread Number: 11966
WE WENT VINTAGE!!!
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Post# 212110   5/25/2007 at 02:28 (6,153 days old) by liamwa ()        

I'm so excited, we bought a rebuild Maytag center dial A806 today, and it has a backlit control panel. So let me tell you all the story. Our awful 1999 Frigidaire washer finally died yesterday, so time for a new machine. I had pretty much resined myself to getting some sort of Whirlpool DD, So today my Dad and I went into Victoria to look for it. We went to several different places but nobody had any new DDs in stock, they would have to order one for us. We just couldn't wait for that though as we needed a washer right away. Anyway the last place we tried was a new and used appliance store called West Coast Wholesale Appliance, and there it was right inside the door. It was as if it was calling out to me "buy me, take me home." My dad took some convincing as we recently had a bad experience with a used TV. However the salesman explained that all there used machines go through a comprhancive rebuild process, and that he would recommend a vintage Maytag over any new machine that they sell and that it was warranted for one year. I think what finally pushed Dad over the edge was that I offered to buy the machine, and so I did $350. The big old Tag is now installed in our laundry closet at home. My Mum just loves the vintage styling, and we all love how quiet and powerful it is. The machine is in great cosmetic shape with just a couple scratches here and there, and the control panel is just beautiful. I can't believe it, I have a vintage washer and I couldn't be happier! Pictures to come soon!

Liam

PS
I want to thank you all for getting me so interested in vintage washers. This is the best site on the web.





Post# 212112 , Reply# 1   5/25/2007 at 03:23 (6,152 days old) by liamwa ()        
Some Pictures

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Post# 212113 , Reply# 2   5/25/2007 at 03:24 (6,152 days old) by liamwa ()        
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Post# 212114 , Reply# 3   5/25/2007 at 03:25 (6,152 days old) by liamwa ()        
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Post# 212115 , Reply# 4   5/25/2007 at 03:26 (6,152 days old) by liamwa ()        
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Post# 212116 , Reply# 5   5/25/2007 at 03:45 (6,152 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
Lovely!

Post# 212117 , Reply# 6   5/25/2007 at 04:05 (6,152 days old) by sudsman ()        
OHHH

Thats one of the GOOOOD ones !

Post# 212119 , Reply# 7   5/25/2007 at 04:08 (6,152 days old) by liamwa ()        

It sure is, my Dad calls it the retro washer.

Post# 212120 , Reply# 8   5/25/2007 at 05:14 (6,152 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)        

bajaespuma's profile picture
Congratulations on a wonderful achievement! Beautiful machine!

Post# 212134 , Reply# 9   5/25/2007 at 06:43 (6,152 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

Beautiful!You have found one of the best washers there ever was and it is so versatile it is timeless as far as features are concerned.

Be sure to give it a coat of a good automotive wax----I like Meguire's although I think any good wax will do the job. Don't forget to do inside the lid and around the tub opening, and the glass and chrome on the backsplash, timer dial, etc.!When you are through buffing it will look factory new! When you have a chance pick up a new set of belts and a poly-pump from your parts store and store them for the future. Cheap insurance!

I do not trust in Whirlpool wanting to keep the parts for the old machines like Maytag did and believe they will stop production of them.



Post# 212143 , Reply# 10   5/25/2007 at 07:37 (6,152 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        

mayken4now's profile picture
Very wonderful machine. Gyrafoam is correct, one the best machines you could have found.

Now, get Dad to get the matching dryer!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve


Post# 212153 , Reply# 11   5/25/2007 at 08:20 (6,152 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
Very Nice Liam, congratulations! This will be a fun washer to have.

Post# 212161 , Reply# 12   5/25/2007 at 08:48 (6,152 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Wow thats TOL

jetcone's profile picture
it has all the buttons and whistles, enjoy!!


Post# 212162 , Reply# 13   5/25/2007 at 08:50 (6,152 days old) by liamwa ()        

Well I gave it a good wipe down and got all that dried on detergent off the top. It looks great now, I think I'm going to wax it like Gyrafoam says. One question though the powerfin agitator just pulls right out, there's nothing holding it down, is this normal?

Thanks.
Liam


Post# 212166 , Reply# 14   5/25/2007 at 09:00 (6,152 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Great looking machine! I love the flexibility of the controls. You can choose all the options you want.

Post# 212167 , Reply# 15   5/25/2007 at 09:00 (6,152 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Totally normal

jetcone's profile picture
and you should pop it off once a month so that it never siezes on the shaft but NEVER put any lubricant on the shaft otherwise it might attack the rubber or the gyrtator might start floating off in wash ...horrors!


Post# 212168 , Reply# 16   5/25/2007 at 09:01 (6,152 days old) by liamwa ()        

Another question how old is this washer, late 70's? Also where does it fall in the line, TOL near TOL? Any info you have on it would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
Liam


Post# 212187 , Reply# 17   5/25/2007 at 11:04 (6,152 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho)        

806 - My favorite Maytag!! Along with the 1-18 from Frigidaire, IMHO this is one of the most nearly perfect TL machines made. Has all the candy, but still very straightforward and user friendly. And the cabinet and control panel design and appearence is still one of the best ever.

Post# 212189 , Reply# 18   5/25/2007 at 11:11 (6,152 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture
Liam, I'm pretty sure your machine is at least late 70's if not newer. The Maytag experts should be chiming in on this question for you. It's also pretty close to being top of the line. A beautiful find and I think your mom is going to have this machine for many years to come and consider it the best machine she's ever owned--if she doesn't already!

Post# 212218 , Reply# 19   5/25/2007 at 14:08 (6,152 days old) by volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)        
A806

volvoguy87's profile picture
It looks like you have an A806, no suds-saver. This is the TOL dial machine. There was also the A906 with just a row of buttons that was the TOL machine in Maytag's lineup at the time, but the A806 has the most features and most flexable settings. I would say the A806 is the highest-level machine for which replacement parts aren't a problem. The A806 was in production from about 1967 to 1979, though I could be off by a bit. They were changed a little over the years, and I'm willing to bet yours is a later one. Post the serial number and someone could tell you the time of its manufacture. Enjoy your Maytag, I have an A208 which, though close to BOL, I still love.

Wash, wash, wash, the Maytag way,
Dave


Post# 212221 , Reply# 20   5/25/2007 at 14:24 (6,152 days old) by liamwa ()        
Got all the info.

It's a Maytag A806, series 2, serial #696280YS. Any info is much appreciated. The machine is running great by the way.

Thanks.
Liam


Post# 212223 , Reply# 21   5/25/2007 at 14:34 (6,152 days old) by liamwa ()        

Just curious, does anyone know how much an A806 sold for new and what the equivalent cost would be today. It's built like a tank with a lot of high grade materials, seems like it would cost a fair bit to build.

Liam


Post# 212229 , Reply# 22   5/25/2007 at 15:44 (6,152 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

In its day it was a very expensive washing machine.
Other than a 906, I can't think of another American made washer with as high a price-tag. Worth every penny and then some!


Post# 212242 , Reply# 23   5/25/2007 at 17:17 (6,152 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)        
Great looking Machine!

mayfan69's profile picture
Congrats there Liam,

You have a great looking Maytag there!

I love these vintage ones so much i'm even prepared to ship one to Australia eventually!

Enjoy!
Leon


Post# 212243 , Reply# 24   5/25/2007 at 17:29 (6,152 days old) by trainguy (Key West, FL)        

trainguy's profile picture
YS = August 1976 (I think)

Post# 212248 , Reply# 25   5/25/2007 at 18:34 (6,152 days old) by trok_99 ()        
Price of the 806

In July 1975, My parents bought their third automatic and as my mom said,"finally a MAYTAG."

They paid $485.00 in 7/75 for the A606S one model lower than the A806S. My mom wanted the 806s but dad would not go for it as it was $510.00 The suds saver feature added about $25.00 to the base model.

As has been stated the 806 was around for a long time. Being series 2, your machine was produced during the 08 model production 1976-80.


Post# 212254 , Reply# 26   5/25/2007 at 19:20 (6,152 days old) by liamwa ()        
Westcoast Appliance

Here is a link to the appliance shop where I bought the Maytag. Great store if your in the Victoria area.

Liam


CLICK HERE TO GO TO liamwa's LINK


Post# 212256 , Reply# 27   5/25/2007 at 19:50 (6,152 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        

mickeyd's profile picture
beautiful machine, Liam

what other vintage machines did you see besides your new baby?


Post# 212257 , Reply# 28   5/25/2007 at 20:09 (6,152 days old) by liamwa ()        
"what other vintage machines did you see"

At the same shop, Westcoast Appliance they had a matched Maytag center dial set in white selling for $550 or there about. I don't think they had lighted controls though, but still very nice. Besides that they had a couple of the "newer" Maytags with the timer on the right. I think they had a few BD whirlpools, and lots of DDs from various years. The prices may seem high for used, but they are all rebuilt and covered for one year. This is a good store I highly recommend them.

Thanks for all the replies.
Liam


Post# 212259 , Reply# 29   5/25/2007 at 20:23 (6,152 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
What a nice looking washer - it's spotless! Thanks for the link to your store, they look like a very reputable company.

Post# 212271 , Reply# 30   5/25/2007 at 21:39 (6,152 days old) by scott55405 ()        

Liamwa, I hope you enjoy your new washer! That was a fine choice, and certainly more fun than pretty much any new toploader you would have purchased now. It should be a really good machine, and the fact that you got the almost TOL lighted control model makes it just that much better!

Post# 780155 , Reply# 31   8/29/2014 at 19:54 (3,499 days old) by maytaga806 (Howell, Michigan)        
Video..

Why did he delete the full cycle video off YouTube?


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