The ad said 1960 Sears electric dryer...

But it turned out to be a 1964 Lady Kenmore dryer!

When I first saw the ad I wondered to myself - could this really be yet another high-heat Lady K out there waiting to be rescued? Wonderful push buttons and all?

I made the call and heard the disappointing news - it had already been picked up this past weekend. Deciding that I didn't mind feeling more pain, I asked the kind woman if she happen to still have the number to the fellow that picked it up. She spent a few minutes going through the trash after I explained the collecting bit, and she came up with the fellow's name and telephone number. Before I got off the phone I asked her, "are you sure it was a 1960? Did it have a dial, or was it all buttons?" Joyce was sure it was a 1960, but it had a dial and insisted the matching washer was long gone. Should I make the 2nd call? Why not.

Talked to the 2nd party - Robert - and he was gracious enough to allow me to stop by to see what it was. I asked him if it indicated a model - and after a few hits and misses I was able to get him to spout out "Lady Kenmore". I asked for the model number - "110. ... 64 ... 902" RATS - not the 60 I had hoped for, but something never-the-less. Robert assured me though that he had the owner's manual... so I took the bite.

It wasn't fun getting it out of the basement where it had only lived for a few days, but after it was cleaned up, I decided it was somewhat worth it. The original transformer for the bulb was bad, and it was missing the starter. After replacing those, I discovered the bulb was weak. Replaced the drum light (bulb was missing too), and it seems to run fine, but would need some work. Unless the matching washer drops in my lap anytime soon, this one will probably be up for adoption by anyone here that is interested.

I decided to tell the story since it does provide proof that this stuff is still out there. It is up to you to decide how far you want to take it. I could have just hung up the phone when she said it was gone - but going the extra mile is where you find the goods. Hopefully this inspires someone else out there to dig a little deeper - this stuff is out there yet to be saved.

I'll share a few photos I snapped this evening while giving her a quickie.

Ben


Forum Topics & Rules Manuals & Literature	New users Click-here to sign-up

Post# 247043 11/7/2007 at 21:44 (6,007 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes But it turned out to be a 1964 Lady Kenmore dryer! When I first saw the ad I wondered to myself - could this really be yet another high-heat Lady K out there waiting to be rescued? Wonderful push buttons and all? I made the call and heard the disappointing news - it had already been picked up this past weekend. Deciding that I didn't mind feeling more pain, I asked the kind woman if she happen to still have the number to the fellow that picked it up. She spent a few minutes going through the trash after I explained the collecting bit, and she came up with the fellow's name and telephone number. Before I got off the phone I asked her, "are you sure it was a 1960? Did it have a dial, or was it all buttons?" Joyce was sure it was a 1960, but it had a dial and insisted the matching washer was long gone. Should I make the 2nd call? Why not. Talked to the 2nd party - Robert - and he was gracious enough to allow me to stop by to see what it was. I asked him if it indicated a model - and after a few hits and misses I was able to get him to spout out "Lady Kenmore". I asked for the model number - "110. ... 64 ... 902" RATS - not the 60 I had hoped for, but something never-the-less. Robert assured me though that he had the owner's manual... so I took the bite. It wasn't fun getting it out of the basement where it had only lived for a few days, but after it was cleaned up, I decided it was somewhat worth it. The original transformer for the bulb was bad, and it was missing the starter. After replacing those, I discovered the bulb was weak. Replaced the drum light (bulb was missing too), and it seems to run fine, but would need some work. Unless the matching washer drops in my lap anytime soon, this one will probably be up for adoption by anyone here that is interested. I decided to tell the story since it does provide proof that this stuff is still out there. It is up to you to decide how far you want to take it. I could have just hung up the phone when she said it was gone - but going the extra mile is where you find the goods. Hopefully this inspires someone else out there to dig a little deeper - this stuff is out there yet to be saved. I'll share a few photos I snapped this evening while giving her a quickie. Ben

Post# 247044 , Reply# 1 11/7/2007 at 21:44 (6,007 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes *As found condition* There is a sparkle under that muck!

Post# 247045 , Reply# 2 11/7/2007 at 21:45 (6,007 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes Door open

Post# 247046 , Reply# 3 11/7/2007 at 21:46 (6,007 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes Look what was packed inside - a range cord! Oh yeah, an owner's manual too.

Post# 247047 , Reply# 4 11/7/2007 at 21:47 (6,007 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes Lint filter seal is pretty beat - optional fragrance dispenser too.

Post# 247048 , Reply# 5 11/7/2007 at 21:48 (6,007 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes Dial shot - pre electronic control

Post# 247049 , Reply# 6 11/7/2007 at 21:49 (6,007 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes After a date with some Turtle Wax Chrome polish and elbow grease - whata combination!

Post# 247050 , Reply# 7 11/7/2007 at 21:50 (6,007 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes Chrome forever

Post# 247052 , Reply# 8 11/7/2007 at 21:54 (6,007 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes The 1964 Lady Kenmore washers and dryers were quite a beautiful set. For those who have not seen what the 64 Lady K washer looks like - here is a link to one (courtesy of Robert's vintage fun stuff section). As soon as a replacement bulb arrives from Atlanta Lightbulbs - I'll post a pic. Thanks! CLICK HERE TO GO TO swestoyz's LINK

Post# 247053 , Reply# 9 11/7/2007 at 22:00 (6,007 days old) by eddy1210 (Burnaby BC Canada)
Checkrate/Likes *very cool* You sure have some beautiful machines Ben! Great searching!

Post# 247060 , Reply# 10 11/7/2007 at 22:21 (6,007 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )
Checkrate/Likes Persistance pays it appears. How are you coming along with the rest of the house?

Post# 247067 , Reply# 11 11/7/2007 at 22:53 (6,007 days old) by powerfin64 (Yakima, Washington)
Checkrate/Likes *GORGEOUS!* She is a keeper for sure. I have a 1965 model Lady K, Electonic sensor version. LOVE IT! awesome find! Rich

Post# 247068 , Reply# 12 11/7/2007 at 22:54 (6,007 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes Very nice dryer - it's going to look beautiful next to it's matching washer someday!

Post# 247128 , Reply# 13 11/8/2007 at 07:20 (6,007 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)
Checkrate/Likes *Catch of the day.........* Nice catch!

Post# 247134 , Reply# 14 11/8/2007 at 08:59 (6,007 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill Home of the RailwayTrials Merseyside,UK)
Checkrate/Likes *The Lady Kenmore...* Another great find Ben, just shows persistance pays off, your van must groan lately when you open the door with another find!!! The chrome detail is superb, just whats missing off the machines of today, that blue dial is my favourite colour, stunning. Cheers, Mike

Post# 247147 , Reply# 15 11/8/2007 at 10:36 (6,007 days old) by fa_f3_20 ()
Checkrate/Likes I did not realize that Whirlpool/Kenmore was still using that style of dryer drum that late. I thought they switched to the stationary-back style of drum in the early '60s. When was it?

Post# 247209 , Reply# 16 11/8/2007 at 16:48 (6,007 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)
Checkrate/Likes Nice save! Makes me want to start on my 64 Kenmore 70 series set. kennyGF

Post# 247227 , Reply# 17 11/8/2007 at 18:52 (6,007 days old) by rickr (.)
Checkrate/Likes Nice dryer Ben! You find the best stuff.... <:

Post# 247228 , Reply# 18 11/8/2007 at 18:52 (6,007 days old) by spinout (Phoenix)
Checkrate/Likes *About the dryer drum styles...* For those wondering, the larger capacity, fixed (stationary) back dryers were not introduced until the 1965 model year on the TOL's. The earlier style center pivot drums were used on various mid and BOL models through '67 or '68, IIRC. I currently have a '63 model 600-HS and and a '65 LK, both in gas. For certain items within the dryer's capacity, I actually prefer the older drum; this is especially true for drying multiple sheets, where they don't tend to ball up as much in the older style machine. This '64 LK is a great example. It's the half of the set my folks didn't purchase in '64--too bad it's not in turquoise. I [still] have a matching '64 LK washer awaiting assembly including many new parts I sourced from Sears while they were still available. Among other interesting things, I also have a mega capacity 8+ cu. ft. KM 700 porch dryer, which is my next restoration. Great score!

Post# 247242 , Reply# 19 11/8/2007 at 20:45 (6,006 days old) by decodriveboy (FL, US)
Checkrate/Likes *Love that dial* especially with the light blue accents!

Post# 247253 , Reply# 20 11/8/2007 at 22:20 (6,006 days old) by powerfin64 (Yakima, Washington)
Checkrate/Likes *one of the things* I really like about these old style Kenmores dryers( mine is 62,64,65) is they are a hot dryer(6000 watt element) and dry faster traditional dryers nowdays. Rich

Post# 247627 , Reply# 21 11/10/2007 at 20:12 (6,004 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)
Checkrate/Likes For what it's worth, my turquoise '65 RCA Whirlpool Supreme 80 dryer also has a moving, "center pivot" back to the drum. Just checked!