Blackstone Prices from 50 Years Ago

[blackstone]

Price sheet dated Sept. 15, 1975 (50 years ago), showing direct-to-dealer prices for washers and dryers. Delivery direct from Jamestown, NY. Available in white, harvest gold, and the ever-popular avocado.

 

[phillymatt53]

I've wondered how much my A482 Maytag washer costed originally.
The Owners manual that I have is dated 1985
The best I could find out was an old newspaper ad listing for it stating $449.

 

[combo52]

Hi Fred, thanks for posting always love, old price lists etc.

I recently found a ton of priceless from the 70s and 80s for whirlpool appliances. I should post a few of them.

I can’t believe Blackstone didn’t still have copper tone in 1975, however, copper turned brown was the first of the 70s colors to start to lose popularity.

John

 

[blackstone]

John,
Now that you mention it, I do remember a copper. Must have been less popular than avocado, although I think it looked better.

 

[DADoES]

Our LDA-7800 (white) was $369.00. The matching dryer (except harvest gold) was $279.00 bought a year later (in stock stashed in the WP dealer's warehouse lean-to). IIRC.

Signed: Goofy Glenn

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Well, I wonder exactly how long such an underdog did last?

Did you pay more for a Maytag that would last significantly longer?

How long before Blackstone folded, during to the pressure upon them & other notable contenders by the surging popularity of everyone buying everything Whirlpool and GE?



-- Dave

 

[qsd-dan]

Prices seem very reasonable for the time.

Blackstone washers and dryers were slightly heavier than Maytags. I don't think any residential dryer tops the weight of pre 1968 Norge dryers.

When did Blackstone quit making washers and dryers?

 

[DADoES]

When did Blackstone quit making washers and dryers?

I believe 1974 was the last models on the US market. Perhaps someone will confirm.

Signed: Goofy Glenn

 

[gizmo]

Remember that Blackstone's top loading automatic design lived on in Australia as Hoovers until the 1980s.
500, 600, 700, 800, and I think 900 series.

500 series were basically Blackstone's design.
600 series had a changed dashboard and had an odd neutral drain brake operated by water pressure - when the tub was full of water, a diaphragm down near the base of the transmission was pressed by the weight of water to operate a transmission brake, so the spin clutch slipped and tub didn't drive. As water was pumped away, the diaphragm moved back in, releasing the brake and spin started. The device looked like a large pressure switch.
700 series dropped the water operated brake and changed to an electric pump, neutral drain for one increment, then spin. Also plastic outer tub, very reliable with no rust issues.
800 series - not sure of the change, but I think the cheapening started. ?? Maybe plastic lid?
900 series - change from long to short agitator shaft, so top seal now below water level (bad.)

The first number of the model is the series, the second digit is the poshness level, I think the third digit is mostly 0, maybe 5 if it has a heater??

Others are welcome to chime in with more info about the series and model differences, I may have my facts a bit wrong. (Leon? Nathan?)

 

[blackstone]

I'm not entirely sure in what year Blackstone stopped manufacturing. Definitely mid-1970s. Our store was able to buy leftover new machines after production stopped.