|
Thread Number: 29809
The elusive 1975 Kenmores are on their way home |
[Down to Last] |  |
Post# 453104 7/30/2010 at 16:28 (5,012 days old) by KenmoreGuy64  (Charlotte, NC) |
||
I think there are a few of us here on the site who have a special penchant for these mid-70's Kenmores with the center dials and the brushed aluminum looking control panel tops. These models immediately preceeded the 1976 Kenmore black-panel "wet look" models that were so incredibly popular for more than 10 years. To the best of my knowledge, there were only three 1974 and two 1975 29-inch models, and around 4 24-inch variants between the two years that features this style of control panel. The 1974 and 1975 lines were sold concurrently, and between the five models, they offered a 300 series in standard capacity, and a 50, 60, 70 and 80 series in large capacity. These were some of the first real ground-breaking 18lb. large capacity machines. There had been others from 1967-1973, but they were never high-volume major sellers like many other models, not until the 74s and 75s came out anyway.
I had seen ONE 1975 model 50/500 in my travels in the 90s when I was heavily involved in rebuilding and sales, and it was on a used appliance store's floor, in avocado. When Andy/RedCarpetDrew found a white one last year, I nearly flipped with glee. That machine got legs and walked away when Andy's back was turned, but thanks to Jon1077 who saw the Craigslist Portland ad, I got this gorgeous set. If they are as nice as they look, these may very well take up at least temporary residence in my laundry room inside the house. For a 500 series washer, this is feature packed. They came from the factory with self-cleaning filter (not a 500 series usual), bleach and fabric softener dispensers, pre-wash cycle, large capacity, full porcelain top and lid (I hate the painted Kenmore tops because they RUST) and an off-balance relay. The only thing that might be even marginally not enough on this machine is the 3 water levels. Depending on where medium fills, I may find it a bit too low and high a bit too much, but I am already used to dealing with that. I think the large cap. models should have had 4-levels or infinite, but I'm digressing.... The machines are pictured in our California plant, and will soon be transferred to Charlotte the next time we have a stock transfer truck. It took several weeks to find a shipper to move them for a reasonable price from Portland to CA, then when the shipper picked them up, he took over 10 days to deliver. But, now they are one further step toward Charlotte where they will join a 1974 60-series machine and a 1975 70. Too cool.... 
| ||
|
|
Post# 453105 , Reply# 1 7/30/2010 at 16:29 (5,012 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
Money shot | ||
|
Post# 453106 , Reply# 2 7/30/2010 at 16:30 (5,012 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 453107 , Reply# 3 7/30/2010 at 16:31 (5,012 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 453108 , Reply# 4 7/30/2010 at 16:32 (5,012 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 453109 , Reply# 5 7/30/2010 at 16:38 (5,012 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
I hope I'm not jinxing things by displaying these pics before the machines get here. But, I am really looking forward to getting them. I have my work cut-out for me this fall when I can get back into the garage without dehydrating and/or melting (it was 101 degrees on Sunday when we got home from Florida), as I have a beautiful 1964 Lady K and the 1968 Kenmore 900 (from Andy) that I must work on. Both need bearings, so these 75s will be a fun departure and hopefully they won't need major work.
Have a great weekend everyone! Gordon | ||
|
Post# 453110 , Reply# 6 7/30/2010 at 16:40 (5,012 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 453112 , Reply# 7 7/30/2010 at 16:41 (5,012 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
| Post# 453113 , Reply# 8 7/30/2010 at 16:41 (5,012 days old) by washernoob () | ||
|
WOW! Those are gorgeous! Look perfect and like brand new. | ||
|
Post# 453114 , Reply# 9 7/30/2010 at 16:42 (5,012 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
| Post# 453115 , Reply# 10 7/30/2010 at 16:47 (5,012 days old) by lebron (Minnesota) | ||
 | ||
| Post# 453117 , Reply# 11 7/30/2010 at 17:09 (5,012 days old) by supremewhirlpol () | ||
|
Oh wow!! That's the lowest I've seen the tub chassis in a BD machine before. Are these the rare 18LB models you were talking about several months ago? How many different 18LB WP/KN models are there? | ||
|
Post# 453126 , Reply# 13 7/30/2010 at 17:57 (5,012 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
Erik -
There were two models with a set of two knobs on one side of the panel - one was a 24-inch machine, the other was the 1974 80 series. I have never seen one of those in person so it may have had two on either side, but I was looking on Sears' site researching model numbers for 1974 models and found it. Melvin - This 18lb. version is the first and original, dimensionally. It has the second of three spintube lengths. All mid-1981 and previous 18lb. machines have this baseplate height. The first generation used long agitator shafts and huge agitators including a rare over-sized Super Roto-Swirl and a giant WP Surgilator. This is Gen-2, then the third was dimensionally the same, but had the short centerpost. Most of those were DA equipped in Kenmores and winged models in the WPs. The 'new' baseplate came out in later 1981 and was about 3/4 of an inch less deep in the cabinet, and accomodated a narrower and shallower tub, but only marginally so. Gordon | ||
|
Post# 453153 , Reply# 14 7/30/2010 at 19:44 (5,012 days old) by suds14 (Pittsburgh) |
||
|
Nice machines Gordon. Hope to see more pictures when you get them home. David | ||
| Post# 453176 , Reply# 15 7/30/2010 at 21:15 (5,011 days old) by supremewhirlpol () | ||
|
Gordon, Do you have any of these jumbo-sized agitators that fit the bigger machines? Any pictures? Do they have the same arrangement of splines in the center for the shaft? | ||
|
Post# 453180 , Reply# 16 7/30/2010 at 21:26 (5,011 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
Melvin -
I have one 18lb. Roto-Swirl that I found in NOS inventory last year at a parts house. It's been discontinued by Whirlpool for a number of years. This agitator fits a regular splined agitator shaft, as did a variant of the Super-Surgilator that was equally as tall, BUT the transmission shaft itself is several inches longer than a "normal" one. So, to fit this agitator into a washer requires the odd-ball transmission. I have one or two of those, just have never put them in a machine. I still marvel at times at this Roto-Swirl - check out the ramp on that thing! It's a beast.... Gordon 
| ||
| Post# 453185 , Reply# 17 7/30/2010 at 21:46 (5,011 days old) by supremewhirlpol () | ||
|
Yes, That's a big agitator. I see you have all three there. The big swirl, the small swirl, and the bakelite swirl with that special fitting. Very nice!! Thanks Gordon! | ||
|
Post# 453256 , Reply# 18 7/31/2010 at 05:29 (5,011 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
||
 | ||
|
Post# 453309 , Reply# 19 7/31/2010 at 10:15 (5,011 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land) |
||
YAY Gordon! | ||
|
Post# 456167 , Reply# 20 8/11/2010 at 10:36 (5,000 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 456383 , Reply# 21 8/12/2010 at 02:06 (4,999 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
That white '75 70 series is the exact machine I bought with my mom. We got it for its "Quiet Pak" system, and it did live up to its name in that regard. Even quieter during agitation than its Maytag contemporaries. The Penta-Swirl agitator added to the quietness. Much as I wanted to get a Maytag, they were far too expensive with a stripped down model of much smaller capacity costing the same or more as the 70 series. For 25 years of service, Mom got her money's worth out of the Kenmore.
As for only three water levels on the pair you're getting, don't expect a whole lot of range from them. While my mom's machine had infinite water level, the lowest setting still filled the tub almost half way. Beware of any spray stain removers. They'll also remove the paint from the dial face and (70 series) simulated wood panels. | ||
|
Post# 456445 , Reply# 23 8/12/2010 at 09:43 (4,999 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
||
Gordon,
Was starting to wonder what was happening with those machines. I'm so glad they are on their way. You will not be dissapointed with them in the slightest bit! They should make excellent daily drivers.
I'm like you Gordon in that I remember seeing several of these Kenmores over the years and I always admired this control panel design. I like the simplicity of the agitator also. Just no frills but great style and features. Please keep me updated on their arrival to your home. You have every reason to be excited because they are quite beautiful! Jon | ||
| Post# 457012 , Reply# 24 8/14/2010 at 23:28 (4,996 days old) by cphifer5115 (Jackson, TN) | ||
yes those machines are very nice i hope you post videos of them on youtube after you get them. yeah the gold agitator is huge never knew they ever made one that size. my mom's first automatic kenmore had the black one that you all call bakelite (not sure what that means and if some one could explane it to me i would appreciate it) then in 1970 she got a gold one that was the size of the white one in the picture above.
| ||
| Post# 457042 , Reply# 25 8/15/2010 at 08:45 (4,996 days old) by stainfighter (Columbia, SC) | ||
elusive 75's... | ||
| Forum Index: |
| Other Forums: |
|
|
|
|
|
Comes to the Rescue!
