FINALLY! Something OTHER than Harvest Gold!

[redcarpetdrew]

One of my co-workers was delivering a new set yesterday. The little old lady was very upset about the fate of her old set as she'd had them since new. They had performed faithfully with little or no issues and she'd felt like she was losing family. Understandable considering she'd had them for 37 years! Her one request to my co-worker was "Please try not to junk them. Instead, can you try to find someone who will fix them up and love them for years to come." My co-worker's response? "Madam, I know just the person and they'll be in good hands."

Finally! I managed to find a vintage washer and dryer set in something other than Harvest Gold! (Not that there's anything wrong with H/G, it was just getting old...)

Presenting the 1972 A806/DE806 Maytags...

 

[toploader1984]

wow, those look mint

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Clean!

I haven't touched them yet. She took VERY good care of them! Here's the washer console. It'll need new buttons. She said the washer needed a new timer... We'll see...

A806
745374QY

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Washer says Ahhhh!

Yes, it has a tub light and a timed bleach injection system. (That's for you, QSD...) The lint filter is cherry clean. The WHOLE machine is...

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Dryer Headshot...

The dryer is also well cared for. She said the dryer wouldn't shut off... Again, Hmmmm....

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Open wide!

The drum still has that 'shine' that says she didn't mix cement in it. Lint filter and door gasket are good.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Time for the obligatory light on shots...

Yay! The lights come right on! Woo Hoo! The drum light on the dryer is ok but the tub light on the washer is burned out. No, Toggles, I'm not going to install a torchiere light. Yes, Gary, the lens is intact... LOL!

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Turn out the lights, the party's beginning...

Another picture after dousing the room lights...

 

[redcarpetdrew]

After doing a little triage, the washer is not advancing the timer. I have a donor timer motor, so we'll deal with that. The dryer is simpler. The wire that holds the bell striker is broken off (common) and letting the solenoid drop enough that it hangs up and not shut off the switch. The dryer is QUIET! I don't think there's much to be done here but you KNOW I'm going to tear them apart and do it right. Same for the washer. The damper is good but I'll lube it anyway and go thru it.

I'll post some more pictures in a day or three.

BTW, the dryer's info:

DE806
390739QW

RCD

 

[toggleswitch2]

oooog How fabulous for you! Me likey!

 

[steve1-18]

I have almost identical set in white, too. My washer does not have the Permanent press cycle. I have another 806 on the shop (coppertone) that has the exact configuration. The dryer has the 4 Automatic cycles and the wonderful bell. That's the old halo - of - heat dryer, too. Built like a tank. Weighs 1/2 a ton.

Hope you enjoy!

 

[strongenough78]

I'm jealous!!!!

What I wouldn't give to find a set like that. Very lucky find there. Have fun with them. And make a video or 2!

 

[qsd-dan]

Sporting some Maytag wood......

Oh so beautiful!! I feel for the poor old lady who had to give this set up after 37 glorious years. However, they couldn't have found a better home!!

So, are gonna repaint the cabinets harvest gold to carry on the tradition? Looks like I finally found my donor machine for a timed bleach dispensing outer tub......

*Runs like hell for hills!*

LOL!!!!!!

 

[strongenough78]

LOL QSD

You better hope that he doesn't find out I'm only a 2 hour drive from you! He may send me up there to slap you one! LOL

 

[redcarpetdrew]

He may send me up there to slap you one! LOL

Tempting... REALLY tempting... If I didn't know he was dealing with bleach injection envy... LOL!

Hmmm... An appliance hitman...

RCD

 

[autowasherfreak]

Very nice! I'm sure you will have them running perfectly in no time at all. I did 95% of this weeks laundry in my Maytag 806.

Heavy items like towels and jeans received an extra spin in the Frigidaire. I just love the sound of a Maytag.

 

[foraloysius]

Wow, what a magnificent find! They'll be in good hands. How wonderful these got saved!

 

[gyrafoam]

Congratulations! Thats a beautiful set!

 

[christfr]

very nice the shine like new.. congrats

 

[revvinkevin]

WOW Andy! Those are SPEC-TAC-U-LAR!!! And in white too, YAY!

Congrats!!!!!

(Hey Andy, so just how many do you have now?)

 

[supremewhirlpol]

You people waving all these lighted console Maytags in my face makes me want one now! SSAAYYY! The newer Maytag in the back,is that a TOL one of the last ones before the Amana and Whirlpool switch up?

 

[swestoyz]

Andrew - very, very nice and CLEAN set you have there! Look to be 1972-1974 machines? Great story behind them too. And they are white!

I love that she wrote on the buttons. While not the most esthetic attempt in the world, certainly shows that she was very proud of her Maytags. Most people would have thrown them out at that point.

This is a set that I'd use as daily drivers.... (too bad though that an upgraded Neptune is soooo quiet)

Ben

 

[gadgetgary]

Andrew

Great machines. Glad you have not experienced the 'lens cover fiasco' like I did. It truly was a learing experience, to say the least.

Good luck with your new 'toys'.

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice set!

 

[redcarpetdrew]

I did luck out...

The set was made in late 1972. The previous owner really did take good care of these. I'm understanding that she really was quite upset over the fate of this pair. I think that once I get them cleaned up and working like a fine pocket watch, I'll take a few pictures and send them to the lady with a note assuring her that they are doing just fine and will be around for a good, long time.

Listen, Kevin. You still have me beat (granted, not by much...) partially by cornering the market in A50 washers. I will probably have to prune down a little, though. The belt drive Whirlpool set in H/G and possibly the Figidaire Jetcone set in H/G might go up on the available list...

That washer in the middle is a LAT3600AAE, one of the last Dependable Care washers in production. She was in for a tub bearing and seal job. Some people still care to invest the money in a real washer instead of buying plastic...

Steve, could you post a picture or two of that coppertone set? They must really be neat looking!

I'm going thru the set now and will have a few more pics to come.

RCD

 

[pulltostart]

Congratulations!

VERY nice pair. You do seem to have a knack for finding some good ones.

Lawrence

 

[maytaga407]

you got that right RCD

I have one of the last dependable maytag's out there. It's not all plactic.

 

[maytaga407]

dependable

This is an under shot.

 

[bosch2460]

WOW

My grandmother had that exact set when I was growing up. She got rid of it back in 2002, like a dumb ass. I would have snatched it up from her, if I knew what the hell she was up to. Frankly, she is kinda a bitch, anyway.

I would loooove to get my hands on an 806...just like this one. However, it seems in my neck of the woods, they never, ever appear. I have been on the search for years, and no luck. I know that I want the 806 because of the light.

Any suggestions or anything from you guys, so I can possibly get one of these treasures for myself?

Joel