70's Kenmore washer & 60's GE Dryer/ Baltimore

That washer is actually the third to the last belt-drive model that Sears issued. Most of the models sold in the stores into the fall of 1986 were actually 1983 designs. The only exception was the Lady K which had a 1985 model number.

There's a cool story behind the washer in this pic:

In 1984 there were two models issued that looked very similar, one as pictured and one with the agitator extension for a fabric softener dispenser. Both models have more wood-grain on them them the regular Kenmores of the day, and the color of the "grain" on the top of the console was much lighter. The lower model is a single-speed 3-cycle machine, the other was a four cycle (had a pre-wash) two speed job. That model may have had a bleach dispenser also. They were the only big tub machines using the Penta-Vane agitator and were the last.

The models were developed at the request of or in partnership with Toyota. The machines were included as sets (in lieu of rebates I think) for car buyers who met certain criteria. I guess the corolla buyers got the one-speed, and the Camry buyers got the fancier one (just my guess). I vaguely remember the ads, and they ran for a good while during the '84 model year.

In the 90s, I re-did a couple of those machines and serviced a couple more. One thing I liked about them vs. the other Kenmores of the same time is that they had porcelain tops and lids. I guess that was a request of Toyota for quality reasons. Many of the 1983-1986 line had that "dynaguard" top which scratched a lot compared to porcelain, and long-term would rust.

Cool pic - I'd like to have that machine.


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Post# 265758 2/19/2008 at 21:46 (5,909 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)
Checkrate/Likes Very nice looking pair of machines for $100. Both really good machines. Note the dryer has the lighted panel and door that opens by using the foot pedal. Washer has that fun waterfall lint filter and the penta-vane agitator. Fun, fun, fun!!! CLICK HERE TO GO TO jons1077's LINK on Baltimore Craigslist

Post# 265759 , Reply# 1 2/19/2008 at 21:47 (5,909 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)
Checkrate/Likes *doors open* looks really clean

Post# 265761 , Reply# 2 2/19/2008 at 21:47 (5,909 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)
Checkrate/Likes *inside washer* penta-vane and waterfall lint filter

Post# 265762 , Reply# 3 2/19/2008 at 21:48 (5,909 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)
Checkrate/Likes *inside dryer* this is a great dryer and really nice looking too! I think it's from 1967!

Post# 265913 , Reply# 4 2/20/2008 at 16:59 (5,908 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)
Checkrate/Likes *Interesting tid-bit maybe* That washer is actually the third to the last belt-drive model that Sears issued. Most of the models sold in the stores into the fall of 1986 were actually 1983 designs. The only exception was the Lady K which had a 1985 model number. There's a cool story behind the washer in this pic: In 1984 there were two models issued that looked very similar, one as pictured and one with the agitator extension for a fabric softener dispenser. Both models have more wood-grain on them them the regular Kenmores of the day, and the color of the "grain" on the top of the console was much lighter. The lower model is a single-speed 3-cycle machine, the other was a four cycle (had a pre-wash) two speed job. That model may have had a bleach dispenser also. They were the only big tub machines using the Penta-Vane agitator and were the last. The models were developed at the request of or in partnership with Toyota. The machines were included as sets (in lieu of rebates I think) for car buyers who met certain criteria. I guess the corolla buyers got the one-speed, and the Camry buyers got the fancier one (just my guess). I vaguely remember the ads, and they ran for a good while during the '84 model year. In the 90s, I re-did a couple of those machines and serviced a couple more. One thing I liked about them vs. the other Kenmores of the same time is that they had porcelain tops and lids. I guess that was a request of Toyota for quality reasons. Many of the 1983-1986 line had that "dynaguard" top which scratched a lot compared to porcelain, and long-term would rust. Cool pic - I'd like to have that machine.

Post# 265927 , Reply# 5 2/20/2008 at 18:15 (5,908 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)
Checkrate/Likes Any WP/KM machine with a waterfall filter gets my vote. I did not know they were still making the Penta Vane as late as the 80s. The last time I saw belt drive Kenmores at Sears, every one of them had the DA agitator. The only ones that might have had the Penta Vane were the low end models. Have a good one, James

Post# 265961 , Reply# 6 2/20/2008 at 23:13 (5,908 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)
Checkrate/Likes *more on the penta-vane* Yep - the penta-vanes were largely gone after 1983 or so when the lower end models went direct drive, but then the two Toyota models were introduced. I don't know why they used the penta-vane, maybe because since they were distributed through Toyota, Sears wanted the Dual-actions to stay within the confines of true Sears sales. That was a big selling feature for Sears back then. That's a guess on my part. The majority of the penta-vanes made were gold in color. I was surprised when I saw the first white ones and later learned that they were white only in the 80s.

Post# 266720 , Reply# 7 2/26/2008 at 12:08 (5,902 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)
Checkrate/Likes *I got 'em* All - I bought these machines. I am not particularly interested in keeping the dryer but went ahead and got it as I figured someone here would like it. It should be in Charlotte in a couple weeks (I am having a trucking company friend bring them to me). So, if you're interested, let me know! Regards everybody! Gordon