Heads Up Kenmore BD in TX!!!!!

I love the later black front machines. I know the focus here is often on the cooler, 60s machines, however I was more aware of washers, and able to use them and better yet, own one for myself, starting in the 80s.

This machine is from the last full-line of belt drives, which were first issued as 1983 models. They remained in production until fall of 1986. The model i.d. tag was first placed in the lid-well with this generation. There were three special models introduced in 1984 for Toyota incentives, and one 1985 Lady K, but '83 was the last full, inclusive line. Back then the full line started with the 60 series (in belt drives) as the lower machines were already direct drive. There was one 60, four 70 series models, three 80s, and the Lady K, not including the special edition electronic machine.

The machine here is the second of the 70 series. That can be determined by the lack of automatic temp settings which were optionally set by the timer, and by the dyna-guard lid vs. porcelain. This is an early model that has the plastic lid props, as compared to the trusty steel hinges. An engineering change was made in 1985 to revert back to the 50s style hinges. The plastic ones were not very sturdy.

It looks to me, though appearances can be deceiving, that this machine is the 'toast' color. Back then in addition to white, there was Almond, Golden Wheat, Toast, and Platinum. Some of the earliest 83s were available in Avocado and Coffee as well, but they were dropped a year later or so. I recently saw a Platinum set out west for sale, but for the most part those two colors have been scarce.

I bought one of the last new belt drives, which was made in August, 1986. I didn't know it at the time, but I'm so glad looking back that I did that. Its the first 70 series. The 60 series had been dropped in 1984, so it was the lowest priced machine I could get. In storage I have an almond, third in line 1986 70, and I rebuilt an entry-level 80 series as one of the last machines I worked on in 1995. I've been using it for 11 years. It would be kinda cool if I had room to accumulate one of each of the last models. I don't want to drive to Dallas to get this beast, but I may have to ponder this a bit!


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Post# 276378 4/22/2008 at 21:33 (5,845 days old) by speed_queen75 ()
Checkrate/Likes This beauty is in almond, and is belt drive, with the dual action agitator, appears to be 1985 or early 1986, notice that the tag for the model and serial number in on the tub opening. I hope someone one here can give it a good home. CLICK HERE TO GO TO speed_queen75's LINK on eBay

Post# 276418 , Reply# 1 4/23/2008 at 03:28 (5,845 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)
Checkrate/Likes *Cool find!* I love the later black front machines. I know the focus here is often on the cooler, 60s machines, however I was more aware of washers, and able to use them and better yet, own one for myself, starting in the 80s. This machine is from the last full-line of belt drives, which were first issued as 1983 models. They remained in production until fall of 1986. The model i.d. tag was first placed in the lid-well with this generation. There were three special models introduced in 1984 for Toyota incentives, and one 1985 Lady K, but '83 was the last full, inclusive line. Back then the full line started with the 60 series (in belt drives) as the lower machines were already direct drive. There was one 60, four 70 series models, three 80s, and the Lady K, not including the special edition electronic machine. The machine here is the second of the 70 series. That can be determined by the lack of automatic temp settings which were optionally set by the timer, and by the dyna-guard lid vs. porcelain. This is an early model that has the plastic lid props, as compared to the trusty steel hinges. An engineering change was made in 1985 to revert back to the 50s style hinges. The plastic ones were not very sturdy. It looks to me, though appearances can be deceiving, that this machine is the 'toast' color. Back then in addition to white, there was Almond, Golden Wheat, Toast, and Platinum. Some of the earliest 83s were available in Avocado and Coffee as well, but they were dropped a year later or so. I recently saw a Platinum set out west for sale, but for the most part those two colors have been scarce. I bought one of the last new belt drives, which was made in August, 1986. I didn't know it at the time, but I'm so glad looking back that I did that. Its the first 70 series. The 60 series had been dropped in 1984, so it was the lowest priced machine I could get. In storage I have an almond, third in line 1986 70, and I rebuilt an entry-level 80 series as one of the last machines I worked on in 1995. I've been using it for 11 years. It would be kinda cool if I had room to accumulate one of each of the last models. I don't want to drive to Dallas to get this beast, but I may have to ponder this a bit!