A haven for missing POW's

[swestoyz]

Hey folks,

This afternoon, my little brother and I set out to go back to the appliance store that I had discovered the '59 Kelvinator in back on New Year's Eve. Previous attempts to get down there, and getting down there to find no one there put this place on the back burner for me. Since quite a few things have changed in my life recently, I now had an open opportunity to get back down there and visit with the owner about the rest of his 'stuff'.

The owner Brian is a very nice guy, but doesn't really care for the older stuff in the basement of his newly aquired applinace store/business. I had shot him an offer on the rest of the goodies he had on my first visit in January, but need more space to bring them home. He was gracious enough to extend the offers for future trips, and I couldn't wait to get back. Now, 4 months later, he still remembered the crazy kid who wanted these old appliances in his basement. He and his wife were gracious enough to let me take photos of his shop and all the cool things that they had. After loading the prizes, I discovered another goodie in the basement I had not noticed before. I will unveil it on a later post as further analysis is needed by all. So, I'll stop the chatting as it is late and I am beat. Enjoy the pics!

Ben

http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/[email protected]&dir=/COLLECTIONS/SWESTOYZ/

 

[appnut]

Ben!!!! Love all the signs, tvs, and the laundry appliances. Can't wait for you to go back and get more POWs out of the prison. Bob

 

[westytoploader]

Congrats Ben on the new acquisitions...thanks for posting! Those timed-fill Highlanders are very neat and seem harder to find than the rest; did yours come with the narrow-post Gyratator? That Westy dryer is in nice shape as well.

Can't wait to see what the other goodie is; does it have something to do with the machine in Picture 10?

--Austin

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Ben, great pictures and finds! You must go back and get that Maytag "the Dependable Automatics" sign for your collection! And that Westinghouse dryer is just beautiful! I believe that's a "How Dry I am" Dryer. Congrats on the Maytag washer as well. Oh that "ator" dryer hiding looks like its in nice shape too.

 

[bajaespuma]

You've just lived my dream: finding the old appliance store with all the vintage goodies just waiting for the picking. Congratualtions!

 

[gansky1]

Incredible find, Ben! Congrats on the fun things you brouht home, I can't wait to see what the 'mystery find' is!

 

[golittlesport]

That Maytag Highlander washer and Westy dryer make a real cute couple next to each other. What an exciting find! Congrats and thanks for posting the pictures.

 

[trainguy]

Congrats Ben !

Did the guy have a lead on a 906 set for you?

 

[Cybrvanr]

I'd LOVE to have those signs!!! I've got an old Zenith clock/sign, and an RCA one too. Those would be great to add to my collection!

 

[petek]

I'm always amazed at the lengths everyone goes to hunt down these machines. Is it a pretty dry climate in Iowa as well seeing as there's not much rust on the stuff for being in a basement all those years.

 

[filterflo]

Great finds Ben, what a fun looking place. Hope you get a lot of goodies to help restore your washers, and any new ones you may find in the future! Jimmy

 

[swestoyz]

Thanks, guys!

I appreciate your great feedback. This store was my first real find, besides the local Cedar Valley appliance stores that Cory and I frequent. This has motivated me to now scour across Eastern Iowa in hopes for more great tales!

The Signs - guys, the signs were awesome. I inquired about the Kelvinator sign, and the owner said he was waiting for me to ask about it. I was going to offer a good price, but wanted to see what he felt about it. He said as long as he keeps the business, he is keeping the signs, which I felt was perfectly fair, as they really do 'make' the place. I agree Robert - I'd love that Maytag sign - one of a kind!

Austin - yes, the Highlander does have the narrow-post Gyrator. The tub will possibly need to be replaced as it was rubbed to death, but I am looking forward to seeing what action the narrow-post provides!

Rich - yes, a dream of all to find a 906 set lurking in an old appliance store basement, in turquoise none-the-less! While a set was no where to be found, on a previous trip, I did pick up a top panel to a 902!

Pete - Iowa is a great place to find stuff like this. For the most part, if it has been in a basement for most of the previous century, rust really isn't an issue, unless there were water leaks, or flood damage. Old appliance stores in rural towns are still open after 50+ years, even if they are not currently being operated by the original families. Now is the time to inquire as more and more little stores close every year, and once those doors close, we'll never get to look in those basements! LOL

While I hope to soon hear, "How Dry I Am", tomorrow I'll post the quandary of the "ator" mystery find, featured on photo 10!

Ben

 

[mayken4now]

Great find Ben. Those machines are classics. It is fun to go into these old places of business (When you can find one) and explore.

Ben there is another posting on here about paying $500.00 for a A406 or something. Look near the bottom, there is someone in Iowa who wants to get rid of a matching coppertone A606 and DG606. Those are very nice machines. I think you deserve them LOL.

Steve

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice finds!Good thing they were stored in a nice dry basement.There's a storefront in a small town south of here that has some Philco signs,including one like you saw.

kennyGF