I used to call these models "Toyota washers"...
But, just as Kenny mentions, but I think in reality this was a model developed for Sears' Contract Sales operation that home builders, etc. bought in bulk.
For reasons I am unsure of, the contract sales models were different than what could be had on the regular sales floor. Contract sales didn't get a wide variety of models or model redesigns. This model and several others from this period carried 1984 model numbers, but were available much earlier. They were odd in that none of them had the Dual Action agitator. Because this machine has the model tag on the front of the cabinet, it was built before January, 1983. I have seen this model as old as 1982 built. Previous to this, there was a group of 1974 numbered models which had the same console styling (most of those were standard capacity).
This is indeed a single speed machine, with the delicate being a pulsed cycle with intermittent agitation. Perm Press is forced to spin at high speed, but still has the water change cool down.
There were four belt-drive models in this era, this being the entry level large capacity, which is a 400 series. The next up was the same basic machine with a self-cleaning filter, then a very similar looking but much better featured 70-series with a pre-wash, two speeds, five temp selections, a bleach dispenser, and an extension on the agitator with a softener dispenser. There was also a 24-inch version, as well as one or two direct drive models. Toyota did offer several of these models in the mid-1980s as alternatives to cash-back rebates.
These seem to be pretty common machines. The newest I have come across was built in 1986. The manual filter is an odd-ball for Kenmore at the time, as none of the retail floor models carried them after mid-1984, but Whirlpool had several models in wide production so it was nothing unusual for the factory.
The machine looks like it is in nice shape, and worth the price. I hope it doesn't attract scrappers. Dryers are out there from time to time on Craigslist. Like the "missing" DA agitator, even the nicer dryer models lack the wide door and have the plug door instead.
Gordon
. Saying that as the opening has the "D" shape! Hope I am right.
