Early 1960s Maytag gas dryer, $25.00

[58limited]

I went to an estate sale at lunch and saw a Maytag gas dryer. The seller told me that the family thinks it still works, but he hasn't tested it. I was in a hurry and didn't search for a model number. Also, my camera screwed up and the picture of the front didn't save to the media card - I didn't notice until after I got to work and the sale closed for the day at 2pm. The front top control panel has a round Maytag emblem in the center - it is not a dial or timer. There are four or five push buttons to the right and it says "Electronic Control" over them. There is a hole in the cabinet on the front upper left, I think it was another emblem of some sort.. The 6" X 6" panel on the lower right that covers the safety valve and pilot light is missing. The seller firmly believes is is somewhere around, but we couldn't find it. The fins on the inside have what look like wires on them - the seller thought they were the moisture sensors. Below are some pics. I'll try to retake the picture of the front this weekend. If anyone wants this, let me know and I'll buy it and hold it for you.

 

It looks pretty clean, there is a rust spot on the top - looks like something was set there and the rust bled into the paint, would probably need to be repainted though - I don't think it will simply clean off.

 

Below is a close up of the patent sticker on the back.

 

[58limited]

Next is a poor interior shot showing one of the fins.

 

[58limited]

Next is the back - not much to see here.

 

[wayupnorth]

Maytag gas dryer

From your description, it sounds like the same model that was in Granny's laundry room of the Beverly Hillbillies.My sister had a similar electric one, bought used, that lasted for many years with no problems.

 

[combo52]

MT GAS DRYER

From your description it sounds like a MT highlander model DG500. Tim from Kentucky just got one of these in electric.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Interesting to see the rust damage decades of a standing pilot burning can cause. Did you happen to notice if it had the really, really cheap door without the full inner panel, just the outer panel and the plug that covered the drum opening? I have to hand it to Maytag; when they set out to make something inexpensive, they could really make it look cheap as hell. It was like they expected all Maytag showrooms to line up the models in ascending order so that you would be drawn from the cheaper models to the TOL or perhaps repulsed from lower to higher.

 

[revvinkevin]

David, did the dryer look anything like this??

(This is the set Tim in Kentucky recently acquired).

Kevin

 

[58limited]

Kevin

Yes it looks like that, or very close (but not nearly as pristine looking- that is a beautiful resto). I like how simple yet elegant it looks, I may just have to buy it for myself. I'm going tomorrow to get a pic of it again and to pick up the Wizard stove I bought.

 

[58limited]

Here are more pictures

For $25.00, I'm thinking of getting it anyway to save it from the landfill. If anyone wants it, please let me know.

 

 

 

[58limited]

The little door at the bottom has not shown up, so it will need a replacement. If anyone can post a picture of it, I might be able to make one.

 

Below is a closer shot of the control panel.

 

[58limited]

Next is the door

 

[58limited]

And finally

The data tag

 

[58limited]

I bought it. Below is a pic after a quick half-ass cleaning. The paint is discolored. The four control buttons are stuck. Otherwise, it appears complete except for the emblem and the little access door.

 

[goatfarmer]

Sad looking dryer, I'm glad to see it was saved!

 

[macboy91si]

DG500

Hey thanks for the kind words for the dryer. I bought my set for $100 including the washer. They were used, but cared for. The dryer that I picked up saw little use, much less than the washer. These dryers are not porcelained so the finish on the top can become discolored or damaged easily. I just bought a new set of belts and a new front felt seal for mine, and soon I'll be posting on the real mechanical restoration. Good luck with your dryer, I think these Highlanders are pretty cool. The 500 model is known as the Super Highlander and the dryer is all electronic. The push buttons also start the cycle, it should only take some basic cleaning to free them up. I'm not that familiar with the gas dryer, but the electric version is pretty straight-forward. You machine is probably a 1963 or 4 just guessing by the coloring on the control panel. 65 models went to the light blue like mine has. Good luck!

-Tim

 

[westie2]

58limited

 

My parents had the DG700 dryer they got in the spring of 1964 and was sstill running in 1996 when they sold the house and bought a home with electic only for dryer so they sold tha dryer.  The dryer was first mated to the A700 washer then in 1979 they gave the washer to my brother and bought a A802 that just went out 2 years ago when the bleach tiber rusted and broke off the oouter tub.

 

The big difference with your dryer is the 700 had the full lighted panel. 

 

[maytagbear]

Ours was the DG502

I want to say we got it in 1967.....it ran very well until it utterly died in the early 1980s.

Ours was very, very similar to this one.

I would not want it as my daily driver now, I am too spoiled by the drum light in my LDG9806, and the white drum. However, for once in a while..........

Good memories.

Lawrence/Maytagbear