Kenmore 1960's Electric Dryer Model #:6008800

[datjuiz3]

I have this beautiful WORKING 1960's Kenmore electric dryer! We purchased a one owner 1950's home and the previous owners left everything in the house. I have a family of 4 and though we love the dryer - we just need something more powerful and newer (I know.. I know... do we? ) We will be parting ways with it - but I am not sure what the value for this may be? I saw a listing that went for $15 on ebay - but not sure if this was a working unit etc. Just want to get some comments about this beauty for those that may be familiar with this.

 

[DADoES]

 
S/N M506506.  Is that 6th week of 1965?  Seems it should be a few years earlier than '65.

 

[peteski50]

Kenmore!

This is a 59 or 60 model

 

[repairguy]

Beautiful! It is a 1960 Kenmore 80. I guess it’s possible it could’ve been built the 6th week of 1965.

 

[circlew]

This dryer appears in the Sears Fall and Winter 1960 catalog. For the 1961 models, the cabinets were restyled, squared off instead of rounded. This was probably done to save money by simplifying manufacturing, and allowing more parts to be common to both Kenmore and Whirlpool's own line. I seriously doubt this was made in 1965, as Whirlpool would have changed out all tooling long before.

 

[sel8207]

console lighting

DOES THE CONSOLE LIGHT UP, ETC. ANY PICS OF THE CONSOLE LIT? THANKS IN ADVANCE. DON'T REALLY KNOW THESE MODELS WELL.

 

[maytag85]

Judging by the way it looks, it’s from 1959 or 1960. There should be pulleys on the back when you remove the rear panel, all Whirlpool built dryers from 1961 to 1965 didn’t have any pulleys on the back, only pulley there was, was the blower/fan pulley and had a belt that went around the drum much like dryers sold today.

 

[swestoyz]

This is a ‘60. The series 80 for 1960 were mostly the carry over of the Lady Kenmore from 1959 - same switch style, etc., where as the 1960 Lady K had the lever-rocker style switch. I suspect the controls for this dryer are very similar to the ‘60 Lady K in that there is no rapid advance timer but instead monitors the exhaust output for the selected fabric type and dryness level.

The M in the serial number indicates the Marion plant, and subsequent number is a sequential serial number. I don’t believe a date and week code were formally used until about 1963.

Someone should really save this dryer. If I didn’t already have the ‘59 Lady K set I’d be all over this.

Ben

Edit - the console is lit in the first photo.

 

[circlew]

Console lighting

The catalog ad copy doesn't mention it having a lighted console. Perhaps it does, but isn't mentioned. I'm sure someone here will know for sure.

 

[datjuiz3]

Yes, this unit lights up when it is turned on! The dryer works very well! I do have to run it twice sometimes though. I dont want to get rid of it, maybe I will just keep it in my garage until someone gives it a good home!