Kenmore Wringer Washing Machine Mystery

[Kenmoore]

Hi,
I have just been given this Kenmore Wringer Washing Machine and I am very confused. It is in MINT condition and appears never to have been used. How do I find out how old it is, because it appears to be Brand New and yet I thought they stopped making these years ago. Everything on it works perfectly, and even the wringers are in pliable great shape!
It is Series No. W11, and Model No. C960'14490 1.
Does anyone know where I can trace Kenmore Vintage Models? Or, how to find out anything at all about this model.
I've included a picture below.
Thank you,
Bev

 

[scott55405]

Bev, that is a very handsome machine. Have you done up a wash with it yet?

This is nothing like the Kenmore wringers that were sold in the United States. Those were made by Whirlpool (Inglis to you). Their trademark is the open-top "Visimatic" wringer. Those machines were last manufactured about 1970, although there are still a fair amount of them seen about.

We have a good Canadian friend here in the club, who told me that wringers were used and popular in Canada far longer than in the States, so it's possible that Sears offered them longer there. This machine seems somewhat similar in appearance to a Canadian Beatty this member once owned, and I'm hoping he'll have some insight. Meanwhile, enjoy this very nice machine!

I've attached a picture of an American Kenmore wringer from the early 1960s.

 

[eddy1210]

80's

Hi Bev, Scott is correct. Wringers were produced for alot longer here in Canada. I will include a picture of a Beatty wringer of mine which is mid 80's vintage. What type of agitator does yours have, the roto-swirl? This one has the "Easy" style spiralator. We know Maytag produced wringer washers until 1983, but I remember seeing Kenmore wringers offered in the Sears catalogues in the early 90's!

 

[programcomputer]

And they were manufactured by...

Speed Queen....

Speed Queen was the only manufacturer that I know of that was still in the 90's producing wringers, and still does make a wringer here in the states now being built by Amana or at least that's the brand that it's built for.

Their (Sears)built machine was VERY expensive, costing upwards of I beleive $349.95 or something in that area. I do not have my catalouges here at this point to verify this. I do remember one year them being listed on the smae page as the Commercial washers also sold thru the catalog...but later featured along with the "compact" auto washers..then never seen again.

It was your standard fare Speed Queen with little or no special features: straight vane agitator, pump model or gravity drain version...very sad considering the old Kenmore and "Lady Kenmore" "Visi-Matic" style machines from the 50's and 60's.

Heck after Sears stopped their catalog, I actually lost track of what Sears was offering the public, unitl I made that once yearly trip to see what they were doing...and by the time I would do this to buy something from there..late 1990's...the wrigers were long gone.

Im suprised that wringers lost touch with many. they cleaned well,washed as long as you like, dried your clothes bone dry..at least my Grandmothers Maytag Wrigner did..and saved massive quantities of water. JUst the manual labor and loss of time aspect did them in. People after the automatics wer on the scene...just diddn't care fro them anymore.

That's my two cents worth....

Chad

 

[Kenmoore]

Hi Guys! Actually, Scott, I haven't done up a load in it yet. I was keeping everything on it in like new condition until I found out what exactly I have here. I don't want to ruin it in any way, and have never used one of these before. It really appears never to have been used. Mint, Mint condition.

I don't know what type of agitator is in it, Ed. I don't know anything at all about these machines. I am hoping to find out more before I attempt to use it.

Thank you for your input(s). I really appreciate it. This machine facinates me and I am dying to know more about it. If I could only get my hands on an Operators Manual.

Take care All!

 

[laundramatt]

How to use wringer washers-

Hi Bev,

Congratulations on your wringer washer! I wish I lived closer to you, from my experience as a child I could show you all the tips to using a wringer washer. Anyway, here is a link that may help you. I hope you enjoy and get many good years of service from this washer! Matt

http://frugalliving.about.com/cs/laundry/a/030700.htm