I shot the seller an email.  I should have yesterday, but I figured someone else would have been all over this one.

I have the same washer paired with a DE606 dryer.  Both are 1971 models.  Bought the set for $60 from a young guy who didn't think his baseball uniforms were getting clean enough, and he thought the dryer was too slow.  He got a frontloader, but I don't remember the brand.

Is anyone rescuing these beauties?

First off, a huge thanks to Fred for posting, and for Cory twisting my arm a few nights ago! 

If you would have asked me 10 years ago if I would jump in the Tahoe at 4:00 PM, drive to St. Paul, haul an A806 and dryer out of a basement, and drive home to be in bed by midnight, I would have told you that you're crazy.  Heck, I would have said the same 5 years ago, as these were still somewhat growing on trees here in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area.  Cory and I would see at least 1 806 washer a month behind our local Maytag dealer in 2004/2005, often times with the matching dryer sitting next to it.  Now, I'm lucky to find 1 a year, if that.  It’s as though they all disappeared after 2009.

A few weeks ago, a late 70's A806 popped up on the local CL.  I pushed it off a few days but my curiosity got the best of me.  I shot that seller a message and the set had been sold the night before.  Oh well, no big deal.

Two nights ago, Fred posts this CL ad.  I could tell the washer had been pampered, and it was a Suds Saver to boot.  I thought about it and concluded that someone else would probably jump at the opportunity.  When I saw that no one had shown interest, my curiosity got the best of me again, and I shot the seller a message yesterday while at work.  This time however, the washer was still available.

I arranged to be at the seller’s house at 7:30, so I ran home after work, unloaded the Tahoe, grabbed the dolly, and hit the pavement.  I got to the house, which was a stone’s throw from the NE corner of Como Park, a few minutes after 7:30.  The seller was the son and daughter-in-law of the original owner.  The seller mentioned how his mom took good care of the washer and dryer, and it showed.  They even had the hoses taken off to help with the basement extraction.  I noticed a really clean Hoover DAM off in the corner of the basement, so I threw that in the offer and cash was exchanged.

What makes the story somewhat special to me is that they had several offers from scrappers to buy the set, but they didn’t want to see these machines get crushed.  While arranging the deal at work, I was quizzed as to what I was going to do with the set, and they were relieved that they were going to be saved.  I had been kicking myself for getting rid of the dozens of A806 washers that have come through the basement over the years, so it felt good to finally have one back in the stable.

So, looking back, did I really need to drive to St. Paul to buy a Maytag?  Probably not.  But like a cat or a dog at the pound, for some odd reason, this set picked me.

Some extras.  The washer and dryer were made in August and September of 1972.  The seller also found the owners manuals and sales brochure, and included those in the sale as well.  It appears she paid 325 for the washer, in 1974.  Maybe they were on the sales floor for a year or so?

Timer dials.  Now, this is a pretty odd dryer, especially for Maytag.  I don't believe Maytag had ever used the cycling thermostat to 'auto dry' on any other dryer, prior to the 407/408.  Very Frigidaire-like.  I may put this dryer timer in an 806 dryer to compare the Electronic Control in an HOH, vs. the Cycling Thermostat Auto Dry.

Ben

AWESOME story Ben, awesome story!!!   This may sound silly, but it tugged on my heart strings as I was reading.

I'm very happy you were able to save this pair and CONGRATS on having a vintage 806 in the stable again!

While it doesn't happen often, you do occasionally hear about a seller who does truly care about the future of an appliance they are selling.  

Like the time I drove 400 miles to San Francisco to rescue a 1952 Westinghouse slant front dryer.   The older German woman selling it wanted to make sure the lightly used dryer would survive and be cared for.  It was part of her family since new, plus her father worked for Westinghouse in the 50's and 60's.   I've experienced a few other sellers like this as well.

So bravo Ben, bravo!

Kevin

Nice save, Ben!

Phil, you bring up a good point about timers in 806 washers.  For the longest time I was under the impression that all Maytag suds savers had Mallory timers, while non-suds machines were a toss up between Mallory and Kingston.  Well, that theory was proved to be incorrect, as the timer in this washer is in fact a Kingston.  Which is a shame too, because I have a ton of spare Mallory escapement/motors on hand, but only a few Kingston timer motors.

Ben

You mean like someone who's struggling with the one he's got? :) 

 

You still on the outs with that 806, Sandy?