Introducing the Maytag LA181!

[pulsator]

Well, I couldn't have had better luck with this one! I went to the seller's house with a friend and gave the machine a look over and bought it on the spot! Not only was it in great shape, not only was there no rust, not only did the seller buy the machine himself brand new and only use it himself, but he even kept the manual! This machine is in FABULOUS shape, no rust, VERY little crud, VERY few visible scratches! He was very careful with this machine but decided he wanted something more efficient. The belts look almost brand new! I finally got it home and hooked up and it is quiet as a mouse! Just as a Maytag should be!

 

[pulsator]

Money shot!!!

I found this to be surprising! No softener dispenser!!!

 

[pulsator]

Manual!

The manual was in PERFECT shape not a fold, a tear, or a wrinkle. Then I had the bright idea to store it in the machine while we transported it home on it's side... So it got a little wet from the water in the pump but it's dried out already!

 

[pulsator]

The controls

Timer shot

Notice the scratch on the bottom right of the control panel. It's the ONLY mark this machine has and the seller apologized for it!

 

[pulsator]

Control panel

The options. I found it funny that this machine only has 2 water levels but it also has 2 speeds!

 

[pulsator]

And the model/serial plate

Can anyone tell me when this machine was made?

 

[qsd-dan]

Can anyone tell me when this machine was made?

Feb 1981.

I have a couple of NOS turquoise short filters that have the fabric softener cup. Email me if you want one for free.

 

[mtn1584]

What a beautiful machine, best of luck to you.
Mike

 

[appnut]

Wow jamie. That machine is awesome and amazing. I love it. It's an extremely unusual specimen as far as I'm concerned. I didn't think theymade a 2-speed and otherrwise a very basic machine. very special to say the least!!! Proud of you for investigating and not letting this gem be passed up!!

 

[dnastrau]

I have never seen one like that...

Nice find! That lint filter looks like a blue plastic version of the stainless steel one on my '61 A700 which does not have the fabric softener part either.

Enjoy!

Andrew S.

 

[tlee618]

Beautiful machine Jamie, love that turquoise agitator!!!

 

[bajaespuma]

Aferim!

I love those weird fabric-softener cup-less lint filters. I'll gladly trade you that one for one of my many standard lint filters with cup. Those were featured on the first Maytag models with the control timers on the RH sides. Some cheap exec must have thought this a good way to chide customers that opted for BOL's. I love your model because it's an oddball: BOL styling on what is a very respectably featured machine. Thanks for the close-ups.
Enjoy it in good health!

 

[bajaespuma]

Cut-sheet

I think I must have posted these before, but I have a bunch of weird Maytag model cut-sheets from the eighties. Here's one like yours:

 

[bajaespuma]

I think Maytag was taking pages from the GE playbook and running many models for builders off of the same production lines already running in Newton.

 

[toploader55]

Nice Maytag

The Control Panel is Beautiful.

Good Luck with that beauty Jamie. Eddie

 

[gansky1]

Very nice, Jamie. We bought this same vintage and series of washer in early 1981. Ours was only the single-speed version but otherwise identical. No bleach funnel, no filter/dispenser. Ours was just a cap - no filter at all.

They made several incarnations of this design, a large capacity version with four water levels, another with the slide water level control, etc. This design/style was not only the BOL, but also used on these other models as "dealer specials" and leader machines for smaller dealers like hardware stores and the like. Not as common as the dark woodgrain panel models of the same time.

Very nice, Jamie - have fun!

 

[cfz2882]

not even any wear/finger marks on the panel!

 

[redcarpetdrew]

A healthy example of Maytag goodness!

Very nice find. It's amaizing how many of those were sold, usually to people who weren't into the bells and whistles but wanted a solid performer. I haven't seen too many of the two speeds. The single speeds were more common. Very nice!

RCD

 

[hilovane]

I had a 105. (I sometimes still wish I had it). I eventually gave it to my grandmother when she moved to a condo...

 

[whirlcool]

And I see it has no provision for a warm rinse. But it is a great looking machine.