1959 Lady Kenmore Automatic Washer

[motoxdude]

Hey folks.. I'm new. I was so fascinated with my 1959 Lady Kenmore that I tried to find more info about it. Anything you can share? I'm dbrown6682 At AOL.com if you can help! Gosh this stuff was well made! I cried when my '81 GE washer finally died after multiple issues. I had the matching dryer and had no luck finding a match, so I set about finding something temporary until I found something. Only thing available in my small town was this old Kenmore.. I paid $20 taking a chance and it mostly WORKS! Now I'm hooked! I have since found a used pair of Kenmore 70 Series and those are my primary machines, but I cannot part with this baby! I want a matching dryer now!

 

[bellalaundry]

Beautiful

machine you have, I'd be hooked too!

Guy

 

[peterh770]

That is one of the most stunning Kenmores ever made...

 

[stainfighter]

faint!...$20 chance

that's like winning a lottery. What luck, congratulations!

 

[qsd-dan]

Can't tell you much about the washer expect that it's belt driven (you may to replace that while it’s still somewhat available). Keep an eye out for a service manual and parts on ebay for any future repairs. She's a real rare beauty!

 

[frigilux]

I grew up with a 1960 Model 80, which is very similar to your washer; Then, in the early '90s, I was living across the street from an appliance dealer and saw a '59 Lady Kenmore pair (yellow) in the discard pile out back. Upon further inspection, the washer had never been used! I wheeled them home and hooked up the washer---had to install the hoses and everything---and it worked perfectly. I had it for about a year, then sold the pair, along with a perfectly-functioning late '70s Frigidaire 1-18.

1) You mentioned almost everything works. What isn't working? The rapid-advance motor on mine was dodgy, so the beautiful, rhythmic clicking/clacking you hear when a cycle is selected was slow and screechy.

2) For the life of me, I can't remember: Does water recirculate back into the tub during the wash/rinse portions of the cycle? If so, does it come from the left-front or right-front side of the tub? Our 1960 had a manual-clean lint filter and recirculation was accomplished via a neat waterfall from the right-front corner of the tub.

3) Have you figured out where to fill the rinse conditioner reservoir?

It's a beautiful washer! Hope you get many fun loads of laundry done with it. I love how the ultraviolet light makes the suds 'pop' during the wash cycle.

 

[motoxdude]

Thanks Frigilux!

It works but leaks at the drain hose. Also: The drain/suds option has been bypassed so now it only dischagres like any other machine. I found the leak and will tend to it next time I put it in-service. As for the belt, I adjusted it and it's fine. The timer sometimes hangs on the first load (Yes, 1 hour of agitation on the wash cycle is a bit extreme, but I got some dirt out of clothes never removed before as a reward).. but on subsequent loads it frees-up, so I suspect a lube of the timer is in-order. The fabric softener dispenser works great! It often goes off-balance on spin and buzzes.. seems a bit more than I'm used to, but I'm not sure if this is normal. Other than that it's GORGEOUS!

 

[rickr]

Beautiful machine! Congratulations on finding this treasure, and welcome to the club.

 

[frigilux]

Motoxdude---Is there a recirculating waterfall back into the tub during the wash and rinse portions of the cycle? I know this machine has a self-cleaning lint filter, but I don't remember if it recirculated water back into the tub.

 

[swestoyz]

Woah Woah Waoh Danny! What a beauty there! As Peter said - this is probably one of the best looking Kenmore's ever-made.

Let us know if you have any other photos - we'd love to see them!

Ben

 

[irishwashguy]

check out thread 14840

It looks like there is a pink late 50's Lady Kenmore Dryer in Pink in Phx. ICongrads on your washer, they are really neat. Built tough! Welcome!

 

[brun]

14859

The off balance could be do to a worn snubber, or a loose snubber spring. The latter happened to me. Check the bolts to make sure they have not backed off. Good Luck! It is a beauty.

 

[chaskelljr2]

"motoxdude":

I concur with Peter also. Of all of the Lady Kenmores that I have seen over the years and decades, the 1957-60 machines were the most beautiful ones ever made (could it be due to those "all porcelain" cabinets) with the 1966-67 Keyboard in second place.

Once you get that beauty restored, you should be treated to great washes for a long time to come yet. And at $25.00, I think you pretty much hit the lottery.

Those things were built like tanks too. That's how come they last as long as they do.

Keep us up to date as to how are you coming along with your 1959 Lady. She's a stunner.

--Charles--

 

[gansky1]

Oh, that's a very nice find. Have you tried the rinse-aid dispenser? Those all porcelain, curved cabinet Kenmores are some of the most beautiful. With some diligence, you'll probably come across the matching dryer - the washers are usually harder to find.

This is a 1960 model Lady Kenmore dryer I brought home recently from Kansas. These beautiful appliances are still out there - don't stop looking!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Boy are the 1959 and 1960 push button models pretty! Love the Blue, Pink and Yellow push buttons and curved all porcelain cabinets.

 

[motoxdude]

Re: Frigilux's question about recirculating filtration

Yes, water comes from the front left and cascades back into the drum... just like my old GE but without the filter basket mounted atop the agitator.

 

[volvoguy87]

Wonderful

Beautiful machine. I have no personal experience with a belt-drive WP/KM and I am oh so envious. It would probably be a good idea to get some spare parts while they are still somewhat available and affordable though, like a spare belt.

Many happy washings to you,
Dave

 

[frigilux]

Thanks for the info, motoxdude!

I kinda thought there was recirculation, but wasn't positive. Now that you've confirmed it, I know I wasn't confusing memories about different machines from my past.

Interestingly, other Kenmores I've seen from that era had the recirculating waterfall on the right side of the tub, but the '59 Lady was different.