I grew up 10 minutes away in Moorestown...the first KA is definitely early-mid 70s C.H!!! Have never seen that lower panel dial either on what looks like a Superba? Next one looks like an Imperial...
I don't think the dial on the bottom panel actually goes to this dishwasher.
This is what I think happened. The dial and front panels belonged to an earlier dishwasher that was replaced. The panels match the cabinets, and were a popular style in the early 60's, so this machine is probably a replacement for a 14 or 15 series. They likely wanted to use the matching panels on the new machine, and didn't want a hole showing, so kept the dial knob attached.
A Hobart/KA KDS-20 with a rapid advance timer mounted in the control panel. The knob is a feature of a 15 series and serves no function on this machine. An amazing DW nonetheless.
Tom and Nick you are exactly right, someone used the panels from a KD15 machine on a newer KA, if you look you can see where they added a 1 1/2" piece of wood to the bottom of the main panel and they would have had to cut about an inch off the top and bottom of the lower panel, LOL.
CircleW, I would have to agree with your assessment of the KA with the "custom" door replacement. You have to know your stuff to come up with that. Way to go!
alr2903