Unusual ~1940s sears kenmore washer

Looks to be in Seattle and possibly even working as it was all hooked up in someone’s basement. Never seen anything quite like it before!

https://www.facebook.com/share/191QtDYRVH/?mibextid=79PoIi

It's an early WP-built bolt-down toploader. The mechanism/tub isn't mounted to a hanging/oscillating support so the machine must be bolted to the floor.

What a phenomenal find--and free to boot. I remember Ross had one that he loved and kept in perfect working order. What fun with a 20 minute wash to please Uncle Bob. No Suds though--and GREEN dials, so cool! Do we have a man in Seattle?

delco1946 said:

Looks to be in Seattle and possibly even working as it was all hooked up in someone’s basement. Never seen anything quite like it before!

https://www.facebook.com/share/191QtDYRVH/?mibextid=79PoIi

Click to expand...

When I was a kid in the mid 60's we had a similar if not the same model as this sitting in our garage. I remember asking my mom why it was there and she said we couldn't use it because it tore the house apart! She did say it was bolted to the floor but tore it self out and took off.

Years later, I was at the Sears store and walked by the appliances, and there on the display floor was one of these all shiny and brand new! It was on display and had a sign near it saying something about the first Kenmore automatic. I was intrigued and looked it over, seems to me it was a late 40's model. I can't imagine that Sears had these reproduced as an advertising gimmick or had one restored??? I don't know if there were more in other stores. I just thought it was so cool. I can't remember the year but it was sometime in the late 80's or maybe the 90's.

To add to the story. Sometime later, I was at the same Sears store downstairs in what was locally referred to as the bargain basement. They sold surplus and catalogue and closeout items. There on the sales floor was the same 1940's Kenmore - brand new washing machine now being sold as surplus.

Incidentally, this Sears store was in South Seattle not far from where this current machine is located. Once again I am intrigued by this machine. I have no use or room for it but it seems it is repeatedly haunting me. You be the judge.

mickeyd said:

What a phenomenal find--and free to boot. I remember Ross had one that he loved and kept in perfect working order. What fun with a 20 minute wash to please Uncle Bob. No Suds though--and GREEN dials, so cool! Do we have a man in Seattle?

Click to expand...

The machine that Ross owned, I have. He always had issues with the drain pump going out on it. I will probably just replace the original pump with an aftermarket electric pump.

Wow. An 1948 model year, non suds "Jeep" Kenmore. I'm wondering if this is a later one (this model was made thru '52, with a revision of 83511/83521) as the "Kenmore Automatic" script isn't included on the chrome trim band, on the front.