Classic Machines

[r1cardooo]

Which machines do you think that will be classic in the future? POST NAME, BRAND AND 1 PICTURE

I think that the kenmore 400 series front loaders and the matching dryer

 

[whirlykenmore78]

My top pic for soon to be classics.

Late 80's KM Ultra Fabric Care for sure. They are already faves of mine. This is the LK version.
WK78

 

[Iowegian]

If we get back to the point where premium disposable diapers are marketed, I'd say the Kitchen Aid Superba machines would be toward the top of the list.

 

[pulsator]

My personal favorite

The Whirlpool Calypso machines. It's too bad they stopped making them, such fabulous machines!!!

 

[Iowegian]

Why did Whirlpool stop making the Calypso?

Money-losing deal?

I don't know.

 

[arbilab]

I own the machine pictured in the first post. Year or two older, before they moved the "lock" light. It has been trouble free for 14 years. It sold under Kenmore/Whirlpool, GE, Frigidaire and Electrolux brands. Just before midline vendors took all the guts out of their machines. Classic in that sense.

I would nominate older models like slantfront Westinghouse, 60s-70s Whirlpools and Maytags. The Westys for their elegant simplicity and ease of maintenance and the toploaders for their ruggedness. Some would say Speed Queen but I never owned one so can't comment.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

@ Iowegian

I would agree about the WP built direct drive KA Superba machines. There were 2 versions of this in the late 80's. One was a full electronic control which paralelled the WP built KM LTD of which I have a set. The other and better one IMO was a pushbutton machine which used an electromechanical rapid advance controller based on the Hobart technology used in the upper end KA dishwashers.
WK78

 

[whirlykenmore78]

A modern DW sure to become a classic

Quite possibly the best DW ever made IMHO the Hobart AM-14

 

[combo52]

Future Classics

There are many washers that have been sold in the last 20+ years that are not only great performers but are destined to become classics. Some of which are Many DD WP, KA and of coerce KM washers. Also the Frigidaire built FL washers with the smaller door, 1996-2011. I would also include MT Neptune's both the FL and the very cool TL Neptune.

 

But I will have to agree with Jamie my all time favorite over the last 15 years has got to be the WP built KM and WP Calypso washers. This is without a dough the best performing washer  [ POSSIBLY EVER ], cleaning was great, rinsing without equal and great water extraction and NO balancing or vibration issues, all the while it does not guzzle water or take hours to do its job.

 

[teknikleespekng]

I have a 41052 Kenmore (Frigidaire) much like the one in the first post, except I bought one with rear deck controls. Mine was manufactured 2/01. Bearings failing. I still have the matching gas dryer.

My Mom's old top loader looked very much like the 2nd photo. It was a Whirlpool branded Kenmore. That was a good washer, nothing wrong with it except for an occasional sticky inlet valve. I had my parents replace it with a FL'er to help w/their water bill.

 

[rapunzel]

"Future Classics"

I would say Miele, V-Zug, Speed Queen, perhaps the Dyson - all the other stuff is disposable (or meant to be recyclable). Don't think that we will see many future 'collectibel classics.' There is nothing aesthetic about most modern machines to appeal to collectors. Product uniformity is the name of the game for most whitegoods and modern materials don't age as well either. China is taking over and my bet is that in another 20 years we will all have the same disposable products in our homes no matter where we live.

 

[r1cardooo]

I have the Kenmore Eco Care System with the pedestal like that I posted at first, I know that these machines have a lot of issues with bearings ant the spider but my washer is around 7 years old and it runs like new. Stills POWERFUL, EFFICIENT and very very SILENT.

 

[cfz2882]

calypso

for me the calypso is the coolest modern classic and i would like to add one to my fleet-the older the better,though the newer ones are improved.