Found a 1969 Sears Lady Kenmore Washer / Dryer Set!

[drh4683]

I stumbled upon this nice pair of '69 Lady K's at an estate sale this weekend. They looked almost brand new. As I lifted the control doors open, I could hear the starters flicker and was greeted with nice bright illuminated consoles! The tub looked clean in the washer and had some cobwebs inside, so I knew it hadn't been used in a while.. But then the dryer looked equally as untouched. I then took a look behind the machines... Everything was still hooked up and I noticed both of the original florescent starters still had the factory masking tape holding them in place. Totally undisturbed. So its safe to assume these were hardly ever touched. Since the console lights turn on and off by opening and closing the flip down doors, you'd assume those starters or bulbs would have certainly been replaced by now under any kind of normal usage. The old lady who lived in this home was 95 and she either washed clothes by hand or went to the laundromat. Per the serial numbers, both machines were made in July, 1969.

 

[revvinkevin]

Very, VERY NICE, congrats on the beautiful finds! They look to be in fabulous condition!

They may have been built in '69(?) but they are 1970 models as the first year for the "garage door" was the '70 model year.

 

[appnut]

Doug, how are you enjoying the 1968 LK set you found earlier this year?  This 1969 pair is the first year of this style of piano keyboard LKs and would essentially be the last pushbutton LKs as we know it.  The 1974 models eliminated the variflex agitator and brought about the large capacity tub with pentaswirl agitator. 

 

[bajaespuma]

Aferim!

and thanks for all the pictures. These machines are gorgeous.

 

[ovrphil]

Those lights, those knobs, those lighted panels...

I've always liked these - I think I'd be up a few nights just with the lights on using or not using them. So beautiful.
Congratulations on your new set!

 

[norgeway]

Back when

Made in America MEANT something!those will wear out 2 sets of anything made today!!

 

[pulltostart]

Sweet Find!

I believe I'd have to put these in my bedroom and use the panel lights for nightlights.

 

So beautiful.  Congratulations on your purchase.

 

lawrence

 

[foraloysius]

That's a beautiful set! Congratulations!

 

[hippiedoll]

WOWZERS!!

A great find by another lucky member here!
They look awesome!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
)

 

[frigilux]

I'm assuming from the 'Sold' sign on the lid of the washer in photo #3 that this gorgeous pair is parked in your laundry room now? Congratulations! Hard to beat a Lady Kenmore for styling and features.

 

[mayken4now]

Beautiful

July must be deemed as Kenmore month! Wonder what you had to part with to sneak those away from the sale?

 

[jetaction]

Congratulations!

What a beautiful set, particularly in white!

 

 

[swestoyz]

Great find, Doug!

 

[trainguy]

Congrats!

This set will go nicely with your Frigidaire set!

 

[combo52]

Great find

And the last Kenmore with a three speed motor, with the four position Vari-Flex agitator this washer was capable of 12 different levels of agitation.

These were the first of the hidden control machines, two more models would follow with the same basic design, the next 1972-73 pair eliminated the 3 SP motor and the last 1974 machine went to the super capacity design and a fully electronically controlled matching dryer.

After the 1975 Kenmore's there were never really great styled machines again.