Oh guys, gotta look at this Kenmore....... wow!

This is my Mother's second washer, which replaced the '61 we had (my avatar pic).

I didn't know it then, but we were part of a trend setting crowd. 1974 was the first year in which Sears offered a full-line variety of large capacity washers (they previously called them 18lb. washers) which had matching dryers.

There were six models prior to 1974, yes, only six. The first was the infamous Kenmore 518 which debuted in 1967, was revised slightly in 1968, and again in 1970 or so. The 67 & 68 said '518' on the console, and they used the basic cosmetics of the 1963 Kenmore 600 / 70. The next five models consisted of two 1972 models, and three 1973 models. These all used the giant Roto-Swirl agitator until the surviving models were developed and 'fine tuned' a bit to have the shorter agitator shaft and the FIRST Penta-Vane agitators. One of these machine matched an existing 1972 Kenmore standard capacity dryer, but basically none of these six machines had matching dryers paired with them and weren't sold as such. Instead they were sold in the "odd-ball" section with the 24-inch models.

1974 came and Kenmore embarked on the large capacity craze, which took off about like the SUV craze did in the mid-90s. By 1976, most of Kenmore's focus was on Large Cap models and the older Standard machines were the step-children for small families.

This machine was part of a varied line-up in 1974. In addition to it, there was two 200 series basic machines, an odd 70-series using 1969 clear-dial styling, the primary 70-series which had the 'upper balcony' of controls as we saw in another thread just recently, an 80-series which had this type of console, then the Lady K. These all had their own matching 6.9 cu. ft. dryers, which were new that year in that size.

There was also a 29-inch 300 series standard washer with this panel style, and four 24-inch machines, again all with this panel. 1974 was embroiled in the oil crisis and the economy was bad, so washer sales weren't great or we'd see more of these today I think.

The 24-inch version of this washer is NEAT. It's the same basic machine, especially in appearance, but it has a soak selector knob, which allows the machine to proceed, or not, directly from pre-wash or pre-soak into the normal cycle, and has a mechanical solenoid operated detergent dispenser to allow detergent to enter during the normal cycle so the operator doesn't have to return to the machine if they've selected a soak and wash.

Such a cool washer!

Gordon


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

Post# 430334 4/21/2010 at 07:43 (5,117 days old) by randycmaynard ()
Checkrate/Likes Morgantown, WV or Northern, WV area from Craigslist. Haven't seen one like this since walking the washer aisles at the Sears Dept Store on N.Central here in Knoxville,TN..... this is wonderful! CLICK HERE TO GO TO randycmaynard's LINK on Pittsburgh Craigslist

Post# 430341 , Reply# 1 4/21/2010 at 08:57 (5,117 days old) by variflexpghpa (Pittsburgh, PA)
Checkrate/Likes *Revised Location* This washer is actually located in Pittsburgh, about 10 minutes from the downtown area. Local guys with storage space go get it

Post# 430377 , Reply# 2 4/21/2010 at 14:09 (5,117 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)
Checkrate/Likes *That's a 1974 Kenmore 60 series* This is my Mother's second washer, which replaced the '61 we had (my avatar pic). I didn't know it then, but we were part of a trend setting crowd. 1974 was the first year in which Sears offered a full-line variety of large capacity washers (they previously called them 18lb. washers) which had matching dryers. There were six models prior to 1974, yes, only six. The first was the infamous Kenmore 518 which debuted in 1967, was revised slightly in 1968, and again in 1970 or so. The 67 & 68 said '518' on the console, and they used the basic cosmetics of the 1963 Kenmore 600 / 70. The next five models consisted of two 1972 models, and three 1973 models. These all used the giant Roto-Swirl agitator until the surviving models were developed and 'fine tuned' a bit to have the shorter agitator shaft and the FIRST Penta-Vane agitators. One of these machine matched an existing 1972 Kenmore standard capacity dryer, but basically none of these six machines had matching dryers paired with them and weren't sold as such. Instead they were sold in the "odd-ball" section with the 24-inch models. 1974 came and Kenmore embarked on the large capacity craze, which took off about like the SUV craze did in the mid-90s. By 1976, most of Kenmore's focus was on Large Cap models and the older Standard machines were the step-children for small families. This machine was part of a varied line-up in 1974. In addition to it, there was two 200 series basic machines, an odd 70-series using 1969 clear-dial styling, the primary 70-series which had the 'upper balcony' of controls as we saw in another thread just recently, an 80-series which had this type of console, then the Lady K. These all had their own matching 6.9 cu. ft. dryers, which were new that year in that size. There was also a 29-inch 300 series standard washer with this panel style, and four 24-inch machines, again all with this panel. 1974 was embroiled in the oil crisis and the economy was bad, so washer sales weren't great or we'd see more of these today I think. The 24-inch version of this washer is NEAT. It's the same basic machine, especially in appearance, but it has a soak selector knob, which allows the machine to proceed, or not, directly from pre-wash or pre-soak into the normal cycle, and has a mechanical solenoid operated detergent dispenser to allow detergent to enter during the normal cycle so the operator doesn't have to return to the machine if they've selected a soak and wash. Such a cool washer! Gordon

Post# 430383 , Reply# 3 4/21/2010 at 14:39 (5,117 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)
Checkrate/Likes Gordon, great interesting info; as always... Does anyone have a 518? I'd sure like to see some pics

Post# 430403 , Reply# 4 4/21/2010 at 15:21 (5,117 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes Memories.....I can't count how many times I was in Sears or should I say "Thrown Out Of" for walking up and down the isles of washers and dryers opening up and looking inside....in those days they had actual machines hooked up and running.....they need to do this again....It allowed you to see how well it performed before you bought it.......want to suprise a salesman?...take a screwdriver in with you and "OPEN" a machine you are considering purchasing.....first they will argue with you, just explain I need to see whats inside.....imagine the crowd you WILL draw as you attemp this....sometimes I do it for the hell of it!....although most will let you purchase, take home, decide you don't want it, and return for a complete refund, including delivery....get this in writing first....been there and done this several times...

Post# 430409 , Reply# 5 4/21/2010 at 15:49 (5,117 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)
Checkrate/Likes Jed - The only 518 I am aware of was owned by Austin. He turned it into the Frankenmore. That is well documented on Youtube, but beneath the top of the machine is an '82 Kenmore, which is different than the '68. Different agitator, slightly smaller basket, shorter agitator shaft, etc. Gordon

Post# 430461 , Reply# 6 4/21/2010 at 22:10 (5,116 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)
Checkrate/Likes That is one cool machine. I wonder if it is low mileage, as it is so pristine looking and still has the sticker pretty well intact. Gordon this one's calling your name. Have a good one, James

Post# 430475 , Reply# 7 4/22/2010 at 00:12 (5,116 days old) by alr2903 (TN)
Checkrate/Likes Gordon, We had the same washer/dryer, with that nice brushed chrome look. My Moms were avocado, and a clearance sale on the Showroom floor. They were excellent machines. I think she had the washer about 10yrs, the dryer lasted 25 years and still worked when Dad replaced it, she really only used it in the cold wintertime, she liked her clothesline. alr2903

Post# 430497 , Reply# 8 4/22/2010 at 03:05 (5,116 days old) by markk290 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Sud Saver* It looks like there is a long hose in the tub closest to the washer. Is it a sudsaver?

Post# 432753 , Reply# 9 5/3/2010 at 11:29 (5,105 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)
Checkrate/Likes Well, the ad's been taken down, but I'm guardedly excited to say that the washer has been snagged for me! A very gracious, and wonderfully nice member in the Pittsburgh area has become a friend of mine, and he picked up the Kenmore on Saturday. I have a Maytag for him, so we'll be trading machinery soon, with pics to follow. As to the machine being a suds model - it's not, just a weird angle in the picture I think. It's been 1983 since I saw this model in action - can't wait to see it again. Gordon This post was last edited 05/03/2010 at 13:09

Post# 432769 , Reply# 10 5/3/2010 at 12:49 (5,105 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)
Checkrate/Likes *Awesome!* Can't wait to see some more pics of this machine