No idea how old it is, but it appears to be age appropriate for this forum.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/app/2310968237.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/app/2310968237.html
GE Dryer on SF Bay Area CL
- Thread starter rp2813
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Holy High Speed, Batman!
Halfway tempted to ask if you could take possession of it for me until shipping could be arranged..........
Lawrence
Halfway tempted to ask if you could take possession of it for me until shipping could be arranged..........
Lawrence
What a neat dryer for only $50!
That is from 1958 with the R in the model number. The 820 series of machines did not have the control panel on pedestals, but the model number was in the line up from 1957 through 1969. Early on it was second from the top, then third. What you cannot see is that the back of the drum on this design was stationary and it had a rectangular opening for the heat inlet slightly above the center of the back with the heating element in a flattish duct behind the drum. That is part of the reason why the little grill in the door for the air stream is low and to the side. This dryer might have the rollers under the drum which drove and supported the drum. There is a felt seal between the stationary back and the revolving cylinder of the drum. The drum design changed in the model year 1959 to a one piece drum with a perforated back and the heating elements spread out behind that. There is literature from 1959 that shows both drum styles. Love that big wide door pedal, like the wide Power Brake pedals in cars of the time.
I really hope someone here gets this dryer.
That is from 1958 with the R in the model number. The 820 series of machines did not have the control panel on pedestals, but the model number was in the line up from 1957 through 1969. Early on it was second from the top, then third. What you cannot see is that the back of the drum on this design was stationary and it had a rectangular opening for the heat inlet slightly above the center of the back with the heating element in a flattish duct behind the drum. That is part of the reason why the little grill in the door for the air stream is low and to the side. This dryer might have the rollers under the drum which drove and supported the drum. There is a felt seal between the stationary back and the revolving cylinder of the drum. The drum design changed in the model year 1959 to a one piece drum with a perforated back and the heating elements spread out behind that. There is literature from 1959 that shows both drum styles. Love that big wide door pedal, like the wide Power Brake pedals in cars of the time.
I really hope someone here gets this dryer.
Lawrence, I'd be happy to assist if you want to inquire about it. I'll e-mail you in case you don't see this post.
Ralph
Ralph
I have called the seller about the dryer, and reached her voice mail. I will see if she returns my call.
Tom - interesting model number. I have a Use and Care Guide for the 1958 dryers and the console for the DA-820R does not look like this one. This one must be a mid-year model, later generation maybe.
Lawrence
Tom - interesting model number. I have a Use and Care Guide for the 1958 dryers and the console for the DA-820R does not look like this one. This one must be a mid-year model, later generation maybe.
Lawrence
I can't justify the model number with the control panel because I don't have a 58 manual, but the inner door is definitely old. From the picture, the control panel looks a lot like early 60s and if it were not for the R in the model number I would have guessed newer. GE ended the model year designation with Y in 1964 and began over with A in 1965.
If we could see the knob and dial better, it would be a help. On the other hand, 1958 was GE's year for the gray control panel on the TOL washer and dryer. I do have the manual for the 59 washers and pictures of the matching dryers and the control panel for the DA820S for 1959 looks just like this except that it is up on pedestals.
If we could see the knob and dial better, it would be a help. On the other hand, 1958 was GE's year for the gray control panel on the TOL washer and dryer. I do have the manual for the 59 washers and pictures of the matching dryers and the control panel for the DA820S for 1959 looks just like this except that it is up on pedestals.
Tom, I'd sure love it if you'd scan and post that 1959 manual.
In 1958, GE's automatic washer/dryer line was evolving. At the beginning of the year, the WA850R/DA820R pair utilized the control panels from 1957's TOL's(with a similar model designation, as in 1958, the WA950R became the top of the line). So they removed the pedestals, took away the panel light, changed the color scheme from pink to dark blue and the first versions of the second-from-the-TOL looked like these with control dials on the LH sides, and the recycled escutcheons from the 1957 models:
In 1958, GE's automatic washer/dryer line was evolving. At the beginning of the year, the WA850R/DA820R pair utilized the control panels from 1957's TOL's(with a similar model designation, as in 1958, the WA950R became the top of the line). So they removed the pedestals, took away the panel light, changed the color scheme from pink to dark blue and the first versions of the second-from-the-TOL looked like these with control dials on the LH sides, and the recycled escutcheons from the 1957 models:
Later on that year, either they ran out of 1957 control panel parts, or somebody just decided to revamp the look with a model that was going to be the "look" for quite a few years. Up to now, I'd assumed that the control panel was metallic gray as all pictures I've seen of these were B&W. But this dryer, just like the one Christy in PA sold to a member last year, has a dark blue finish with pink accents:
Either way, it's an interesting model and I hope you get it and tell us all about it with an extensive photo-essay.
Gee whiz. That machine would look great across the laundry room from my '57 GE Combination. Lawrence, it will look great if it ends up in the same room with your '58 GE Combo.
Ken,
The one you show in the scan is the exact one. The lady told me it has a pink timer face and a pink "push to start" bar. So are you saying that you think it's a late 1957, or a 1958 model?
Ralph,
If you have an interest in the dryer (and it would compliment your Combination very nicely), I will be happy to let you keep it. According to the seller, it was owned by a elderly lady who is now 100 years old and has relocated to an assisted living facility and is giving up her home. Supposedly, this woman only used the dryer in the winter, preferring to line dry her laundry in summer/warm weather. So the dryer is in very nice condition.
BTW, the '58 Combination died about a month ago - the compressor gave up the ghost and it (the refrigerator) was replaced with a new model.
Lawrence
The one you show in the scan is the exact one. The lady told me it has a pink timer face and a pink "push to start" bar. So are you saying that you think it's a late 1957, or a 1958 model?
Ralph,
If you have an interest in the dryer (and it would compliment your Combination very nicely), I will be happy to let you keep it. According to the seller, it was owned by a elderly lady who is now 100 years old and has relocated to an assisted living facility and is giving up her home. Supposedly, this woman only used the dryer in the winter, preferring to line dry her laundry in summer/warm weather. So the dryer is in very nice condition.
BTW, the '58 Combination died about a month ago - the compressor gave up the ghost and it (the refrigerator) was replaced with a new model.
Lawrence
I'm saying it's a late version of the 1958 model.
GE did this for many years. They'd recycle parts and style pieces from the previous year's model line into the new year and then make small changes as the year went on and as they were preparing for the next year's model line. Smart practice. Who would know? Who would pay any attention to that?
An almost identical model to this one went to another member, bigted, I think, earlier last year. It was exactly the same only in this version, the control panel was up on pedestals.
GE did this for many years. They'd recycle parts and style pieces from the previous year's model line into the new year and then make small changes as the year went on and as they were preparing for the next year's model line. Smart practice. Who would know? Who would pay any attention to that?
An almost identical model to this one went to another member, bigted, I think, earlier last year. It was exactly the same only in this version, the control panel was up on pedestals.
Lawrence, I sent you an e-mail just now. I'm not interested in the dryer. <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">I'll call to arrange for pick-up with the seller if you are ready to proceed.</span>
I have spoken with the seller and will be picking up the dryer for Lawrence hopefully later today.<span style="text-decoration: line-through;">
</span>
Ralph
[this post was last edited: 4/9/2011-12:57]
I have spoken with the seller and will be picking up the dryer for Lawrence hopefully later today.<span style="text-decoration: line-through;">
</span>
Ralph
[this post was last edited: 4/9/2011-12:57]
Pedestals
That's a really nice dryer. I always like the look of the models with the pedestals, but some people didn't like them. Items could slip through the space and fall behind; therefore, some people removed the pedestals from their machines. Would have been nice if GE had put a strip of clear glass in the space as they did on the ranges with similar style control panels.
That's a really nice dryer. I always like the look of the models with the pedestals, but some people didn't like them. Items could slip through the space and fall behind; therefore, some people removed the pedestals from their machines. Would have been nice if GE had put a strip of clear glass in the space as they did on the ranges with similar style control panels.
I've Got It
Picked up the dryer for Lawrence this afternoon. It has rust issues with some of the chrome, including the lettering on the panel, but am thinking a good chrome polish may take care of a lot of it.
The start tab is PINK!
Where is the drum light located on this thing?
Picked up the dryer for Lawrence this afternoon. It has rust issues with some of the chrome, including the lettering on the panel, but am thinking a good chrome polish may take care of a lot of it.
The start tab is PINK!
Where is the drum light located on this thing?
It should be located on the right side of the arched opening. It might just be burned out or the bulb might be missing. Being next to the top of the line, it should have one.
Pictures
Panel
Panel
Left
Center
Right
