Last weekend I drove a truckload of vintage appliances down to Will (Classiccaprice) in Hampton, VA. The following is what ensued...
Dave
Dave
A bittersweet weekend of vintage appliances and friends.
- Thread starter volvoguy87
- Start date
What lurks in Will's garage?
His Great Aunt's 1977 Maytag N2LPS. It hasn't been used for a few decades and it was flooded by the storm surge from Hurricane Isabelle. We replaced the casters, installed a 1/2 inch bolt in place of the safety foot pedal connection, and cleaned the whole thing up.
Note my 1951 Westinghouse refrigerator that is now Will's. It will be moved inside once we can get it to run and get it cleaned up some more.
Note: This weekend was spent working on the appliances, not babying them. We did not dress up for the occasion and wore grubby work clothes.
Here I am filling the wringer with warm water for its maiden wash after coming out of retirement.
His Great Aunt's 1977 Maytag N2LPS. It hasn't been used for a few decades and it was flooded by the storm surge from Hurricane Isabelle. We replaced the casters, installed a 1/2 inch bolt in place of the safety foot pedal connection, and cleaned the whole thing up.
Note my 1951 Westinghouse refrigerator that is now Will's. It will be moved inside once we can get it to run and get it cleaned up some more.
Note: This weekend was spent working on the appliances, not babying them. We did not dress up for the occasion and wore grubby work clothes.
Here I am filling the wringer with warm water for its maiden wash after coming out of retirement.
Full.
Yay, no leaks!
Even though the hooked end of the drain hose is missing, this one does have a pump. Anyone have a spare screw-on hook?
Yay, no leaks!
Even though the hooked end of the drain hose is missing, this one does have a pump. Anyone have a spare screw-on hook?
What to wash...
What maiden load would be complete without Original Tide powder?
The corner of the dryer in the pic is a non-vintage Whirlpool. It is a regular capacity but with a center dial. When did Whirlpool make that?
What maiden load would be complete without Original Tide powder?
The corner of the dryer in the pic is a non-vintage Whirlpool. It is a regular capacity but with a center dial. When did Whirlpool make that?
Yup, it works!
WOW, What wash action!
WOW, What wash action!
We should have a cake to celebrate.
What kind of cake is best to celebrate coming out of retirement?
This kind!
What kind of cake is best to celebrate coming out of retirement?
This kind!
Loaded up and washing away.
This is SO quiet and sturdy. I thought my A208 was the bees knees of quality. I didn't think it was possible, but this might be even more sturdy.
This is SO quiet and sturdy. I thought my A208 was the bees knees of quality. I didn't think it was possible, but this might be even more sturdy.
And while things wash...
Here is the bitter part of an otherwise pretty sweet weekend. My 1980 A208 has a new home. I will miss it dearly. Maybe an A700S or A702S will take its place someday. Until then, I'll have to go to my grandparents' house and wash in their GE Filter Flo.
My A208 was bought for $10.00 from the scrap line behind the Savannah, GA Goodwill. It ran fine but I replaced the belts anyway. When I moved to Manassas, VA, I took it with me and it has lived a pathetic life in the garage ever since. Draining into a trash can and filling from a connection to a garden hose, cold water only. Even living this shameful life, it still ran circles around the GE Adora inside. To make it feel better, we installed a new injector at its new home in Hampton.
Farewell Friend, the best washer I have ever owned.
Here is the bitter part of an otherwise pretty sweet weekend. My 1980 A208 has a new home. I will miss it dearly. Maybe an A700S or A702S will take its place someday. Until then, I'll have to go to my grandparents' house and wash in their GE Filter Flo.
My A208 was bought for $10.00 from the scrap line behind the Savannah, GA Goodwill. It ran fine but I replaced the belts anyway. When I moved to Manassas, VA, I took it with me and it has lived a pathetic life in the garage ever since. Draining into a trash can and filling from a connection to a garden hose, cold water only. Even living this shameful life, it still ran circles around the GE Adora inside. To make it feel better, we installed a new injector at its new home in Hampton.
Farewell Friend, the best washer I have ever owned.
Money shot,
Turquoise = clean!
Turquoise = clean!
classiccaprice
Well-known member
tis the only washer you've ever owned 
Powerfin at its finest.
As long as it was in my house, the A208 never saw liquid detergent.
As long as it was in my house, the A208 never saw liquid detergent.
The other half.
I got my A208 with its matching DE308. I never had the dryer hooked up so I was never able to test it. We cleaned it inside and out and it came to life. We might replace the belt and blower but right now it's running rather well.
I got my A208 with its matching DE308. I never had the dryer hooked up so I was never able to test it. We cleaned it inside and out and it came to life. We might replace the belt and blower but right now it's running rather well.
Open wide.
Never pampered, but frequently used. Hopefully, with lots more use in its future.
Never pampered, but frequently used. Hopefully, with lots more use in its future.
classiccaprice
Well-known member
I am very grateful that Dave got down to visit. We managed to find new casters (though not locking ones) for the wringer. I was paranoid to use the wringer, I didn't want to run it with the possibility of salt water in the oil. Thanks so much everyone for telling us how to check for it. Dave was a great help in getting it working.
Also the 1980 Maytag set is so much nicer than the latter Whirlpools that they replaced. Much better quality. The only thing is it drains so quick it makes every drain in the house gurgle and bubbles come up through the toilet!!! Remind me not to use it while washing!
Also the 1980 Maytag set is so much nicer than the latter Whirlpools that they replaced. Much better quality. The only thing is it drains so quick it makes every drain in the house gurgle and bubbles come up through the toilet!!! Remind me not to use it while washing!
Time to revisit the wringer!
While we've been exploring my former Maytags, the Wringer has dutifully washed its load and now it needs to be wrung.
Neither Will nor I had ever used a wringer before so we decided to use a push stick to avoid broken finger bones. The fly swatter was all we could find. Here is the result of Will's first attempt.
While we've been exploring my former Maytags, the Wringer has dutifully washed its load and now it needs to be wrung.
Neither Will nor I had ever used a wringer before so we decided to use a push stick to avoid broken finger bones. The fly swatter was all we could find. Here is the result of Will's first attempt.
Will getting the hang of it.
Pay no attention to that stove in the yard. More on that later.
Pay no attention to that stove in the yard. More on that later.
classiccaprice
Well-known member
You said you weren't going to post that one! Grr!
My first attempt was much better.
The blue car in the background is Will's '79 Caprice Classic
The blue car in the background is Will's '79 Caprice Classic
I am very pleased with myself.
I've got to get one of these (actually, I want an E2LPS).
I did not go to University of Virginia (I went to Mary Washington College) the UVA shirt is a good one for working on washers though.
Also, note the wheel on the Caprice. It is a vintage '79 15" wheel, not a 20
I've got to get one of these (actually, I want an E2LPS).
I did not go to University of Virginia (I went to Mary Washington College) the UVA shirt is a good one for working on washers though.
Also, note the wheel on the Caprice. It is a vintage '79 15" wheel, not a 20
I am very impressed with the wringer.
As soon as the smallest corner goes in, EVERYTHING gets pulled through. The water it removed was very impressive. I shudder to think of what the pressure between the rollers must be. With my eyesight, I have to watch very carefully so I don't get a finger too close.
As soon as the smallest corner goes in, EVERYTHING gets pulled through. The water it removed was very impressive. I shudder to think of what the pressure between the rollers must be. With my eyesight, I have to watch very carefully so I don't get a finger too close.
It's important to accessorize.
What's the perfect accessory to an N2LPS? An A208 of course!
What's the perfect accessory to an N2LPS? An A208 of course!
The wringer takes no prisoners.
The Kenmore stove in the background is not hooked up. It's gas, and there is no gas connection in the kitchen, but there is one in the garage (presently turned off).
The Kenmore stove in the background is not hooked up. It's gas, and there is no gas connection in the kitchen, but there is one in the garage (presently turned off).
classiccaprice
Well-known member
Please excuse the junk in the garage! For the record the Kenmore range has been disconnected.
Now that the wash is done, let's look in the kitchen.
Improvements in progress.
Improvements in progress.
The proud new owner after having cleaned up the stove some m
The kick-plate was repainted glossy black (hence the stove's appearance in the yard). Also, those furniture sliders are the best things since sliced bread!
The kick-plate was repainted glossy black (hence the stove's appearance in the yard). Also, those furniture sliders are the best things since sliced bread!
Frigidaire porcelain is the best!
I love this photo. The mixer is probably 15 years newer than the stove, but it has such nice lines that are so nicely reflected in the shine on the porcelain.
I love this photo. The mixer is probably 15 years newer than the stove, but it has such nice lines that are so nicely reflected in the shine on the porcelain.
Another artsy shot.
It just screams quality and beauty.
(Industrial designers, LEARN FROM THIS! and then make more.)
It just screams quality and beauty.
(Industrial designers, LEARN FROM THIS! and then make more.)
Before.
Ugh!
Ugh!
After.
Much better.
Much better.
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