An unexpected Whirlpool find!

[swestoyz]

Yesterday I ran across something that I wasn't even looking for. I was helping a local charity out by picking up donated furniture, then delivering it to consumer's homes.

One of the pick up houses was a 1 owner 1963 ranch in Cedar Falls. The house was in amazing condition and had a great layout. There was an early 50's Magic Chef range in the kitchen, so I asked if there were any old washers in the basement. Normally we all hear no, but yesterday I heard a yes.

I headed downstairs and saw this in the corner.

 

[swestoyz]

I was told that the Whirlpool, along with an early 50's GE fridge and deep freeze, were bound for the crusher later this week. Well, I couldn't let that happen.

Once I had finished the charity obligation, I went back and retrieved the Whirlpool.

 

[swestoyz]

From what I can tell, it's a carry over Supreme panel, similar to a 1960 model, on a 1962 base. I found an ink date stamping of Apr 9th, 1962. So it could be anywhere in that 60-62 model run. Unfortunately this generation of Whirlpool is much more rare than Kenmores; you just never see them, or documentation.

It's in pretty decent shape, no major dings or chips in the porcelain.

UPDATE: I just looked closer at the model tag, and realized I has not looked at the actual model number, just the stock number. It appears this is indeed a 1961 model. Too cool - first model year cabinet![this post was last edited: 8/17/2014-18:14]

 

[swestoyz]

Money shot. Now, it appears that someone was mid-repair with is old girl. The agitator block was removed, along with the snubber and top.

 

[swestoyz]

Reason for the repair - the spin shaft is almost rusted to the center post bearings. Otherwise, everything else checks out good.

UPDATE: after looking at the model tag, I discovered this is a 1961 model year. First year for the transmission braces. [this post was last edited: 8/17/2014-18:16]

 

[swestoyz]

Model tag. Can anyone pinpoint the year of mfg?

 

[swestoyz]

Funny thing about this washer: the wiring diagram calls for a pilot light for the timer controls, and also a fluorescent light for the panel. However, this model was produced without a fluorescent light! I had to remedy this...

I went to Menards and grabbed an 11" kitchen under-cabinet lamp and some 3M commands strips. I tapped into the pilot light contact on the timer for power, and stuck the light on the back cover...

 

[swestoyz]

Presto, we have lights! Just 50 years late.

 

[swestoyz]

Timer controls.

 

[swestoyz]

Panel light.

I'm not sure what the long term plans are for this beauty. I already have 2 belt drive restorations in the waiting (59 and 64 Lady Kenmores), so we shall see if this sticks around or not.

Ben

 

[launderess]

Congrats! What A Find!

Two more beauties saved from a horrible fate!

 

[bigalsf]

1961 Whirlpool

Great find Ben! I grew up with the model from 1963 which was very similar, except it had the smaller control box, but with the same features & cycles. This brings back many fond memories!

The machine looks like it's in pretty good shape. Have fun with it! Hope it makes the "keep" list!

 

[hydralique]

What a Beauty . . .

That's a wonderful find, as noted the Whirly is much rarer than the Kenmores. I think you'll have to keep it to have something from the "other side" of the Whirlpool-Kenmore family tree, now that the panel lights up the Lady Ks should be willing to accept it as an equal.

 

[combo52]

1961 RCA Whirlpool Supreme

Great find Ben, yes WP only sold a fraction of the washers during this time period that they built for Sears, Sears had much lower prices for a similar washer, as much as $100 less which was real money in those days, so you do indeed have a rare model. Sales of higher end machines [ and all washers ] was also very weak during 1959-1962 as we were still coming out of the Eisenhower induced recession, in the next few years staring about 1963 the economy really took off.
Your machine looks very orignal except for a newer water pump, bad thing it needs main bearings spin tube and seals badly. Also the WP built washers before 1964 still had the non HD transmissions, so unless it is to get almost use in the future I would install a later model transmission when rebuilding.

John L.

 

[philr]

Congratulations!

That's a really nice find Ben! And it has a really nice control panel! 

 

 

 

[mrb627]

Agitator Cap!

I dig the chrome-like agitator cap. Growing up, we had a Whirlpool equipped laundromat where the coin-ops were all fitted with that shiny bling!

Malcolm

 

[a440]

Awesome Find!
It is in beautiful cosmetic shape. One of my favorite WP Panels!
My Mom's best friend had this pair in her laundry room off of the garage. Big family. Every time we went to visit the pair was ALWAYS running! I can remember the lights on the machines always being on. Besides the sound of the washer, I remember the entire laundry room smelling of the washer and detergent. Mom would go straight to the front door and I would always go straight to the garage!

 

[bajaespuma]

Aferim and OMG!

You just experienced my favorite recurring dream come true! Loved the tip with the under-cabinet light.

 

[turquoisedude]

Yay Ben!  It just goes to show you that it pays to ask questions at estate and garage sales.   I think that has to be the neatest Whirlpool lighted control panel I've ever seen - so sleek and 'modern'.

 

Congratulations!

 

[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:

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?16662

 

[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.