An unexpected Whirlpool find!

[swestoyz]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone!  The panel really is pretty cool and I don't believe I've seen this exact one pop up in my tenure at AW.  However, Eddie has a very similar '61, but the control panel lens is different, and I don't believe the timer panel is back-lit.  But, his machine has a tub light and an ozone bulb.  If Rick is reading this - were those original or did you add them when you restored the machine?

 

I have several 78 and later transmissions laying around, so if I were to restore this one it wouldn't be an issue getting it up and running again.  Maybe I should stick to only two Kenmores and one Whirlpool.

 

Here's a shot of Eddie's 61 for comparison:

Loading…

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[moparguy]

Wow, awesome looking washers! I love it with the light in it! Congratulations on a wonderful find!

 

[hippiedoll]

OH WOW!!!

what a cool find!!! and to think, you could of missed out on that, if you didn't ask about any washers!!! to me, it sounds like it was MEANT to be!!!

i can't believe how good of condition it looks to be in!! and yes, the lights (original & added) look really cool on this whirlpool!!!

man, i am happy for you. VERY COOL!!!!

)

 

[golittlesport]

Beautiful machine!

Especially with the fluorescent light added! Does it have a suds saver?

 

[chestermikeuk]

"Whirlpool Supreme"

Another classic find Ben, and even better with the new Lighted Controls, a very classic design!!

 

[goatfarmer]

Gee, Ben, what next? PCH showing up at your front door with an oversize check?

 

Great find!

 

[revvinkevin]

WOW!

 

 

Hey Ben, CONGRATS on saving the rare find, that's really awesome!

 

On another note, at this moment I have the matching dryer to the washer Eddie has/had.

  

Too bad they're on opposite coasts!

 

Kevin

 

[philr]

Kevin, what's the year of your dryer? The shape of the logo on the lens looks similar to the one on my 1965 Inglis single speed washer and dryer set. 

 

[hippiedoll]

very cool kevin.....

a windowed dryer door on that vintage whirlpool dryer!!!
me likes!!

;o)

 

[swestoyz]

I bet Kevin's dryer is a 61/62 vintage as well. It's pretty cool to see the control panel hovering on a pedestal. Too cool!

The washer DOES have a suds return contact built into the timer, but the cycle isn't marked on the control panel. Made it easy to test the agitate function.

Ben

 

[frigilux]

I can only second everyone's opinion: Great find, Ben! Bonus points for adding the console light, too.

 

[toploader55]

Beautiful Ben.

Love the way the dial lights up.

Yes the Money Shot is identical to my Whirlpool.

I hope it doesn't need much work. Mine needs some substantial work. Maybe this winter.

Wow Kev. I didn't realize you have the matching dryer. How cool is that. And a Glass Door to boot !!!

They are beautiful machines. Too bad they don't style them like that anymore.

Everything now is so monochromatic so to speak. Just like most cars. Can't tell the brands apart.

 

[swestoyz]

Hey there Eddie - thanks for the kind words.  Any chance you could grab the model number of your Whirlpool, or even maybe a picture of the model tag?  I'm curious to see what the model number of your washer is compared to this one.

 

If I keep this Whirlpool (and I'm leaning towards that decision and kicking out a 3rd Kenmore project), it will need a total tear-down and rebuild as well. 

 

But, if it's got lights, it's worth it. 

 

[rickr]

.

Great save Ben! I did not expect to see such a classic, when I clicked on this thread. (I guessed it would be another 83 WP with the angel wings)

This 61 Whirlpool was my first classic machine,(2003) and I did not really rebuild the machine. I just cleaned it up, touched up the cabinet, replaced the hoses, and added the console light, and tub and ozone lamps. The machine came from South Carolina, BTW. Then to Fort Wayne, then to MA. So it has been around. I always thought this style of WP was a beautiful machine! Here it is in my basement in 2003.

Congrats on a great save! Thats a keeper!:>

 

[peteski50]

Whirlpool!

This is a real awsome find
Best Of Luck with this Gem!
Peter

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Congratulations!

Uncommon to see a Light-Up that's not TOL...!

 

When did Whirlpool start using that Little-Box design, for their Washer & Dryer consoles, anyway? What a Super Find!

 

 

 

-- Dave

 

<h1 id="itemTitle" class="it-ttl"> </h1>
<h1 id="itemTitle" class="it-ttl"> </h1>

 

[polkanut]

Bummer it's not a Suds-Miser model though.  

  Nonetheless, nice save Ben.

 

[ovrphil]

I am stubbling into this thread after the universe was created.

It's a great find - not much more to say that hasn't been said.

But I will tell you Ben, you sure got lucky and although the whole machine appeals to me,
the panel and the lights are my favorite.

Today's machines may have lights, but these old machines have class.

 

[bendixmark]

Whirlpool Washer

The first washer I ever took home to repair was one just like that,it was September of 1975 and it was behind Martins TV and Appliance in the town next to mine,My father put it on our trailer behind our 74 Dodge Dart.He helped me fix the pump and I sold it for $25 and the rest is history...my career was born.