Kenmore Washer & Dryer Brochures '87 & '88

[philcobendixduo]

I dug these out of the files today and thought some of you might enjoy them.
'87 dryer has top mounted lint filter.
'88 dryer has front (door frame) mounted lint filter.
Enjoy!

 

[philcobendixduo]

Dryer

Here's the other side. This is from the 1987 Sears catalog, by the way

 

[philcobendixduo]

Here's an in-store brochure from the same era

Always the ebony ones!

 

[philcobendixduo]

Another brochure

More ebony!

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Wow those machines were expensive!

Its interesting that they used a photograph of a belt-drive Dual-Action agitator in the first brochure.

I've never been very fond of the 27-inch dryer vs. the 29-inch. Does anyone have any thoughts on which is a better design in large capacity form?

Gordon

 

[mrb627]

Agitator

Also, I think the picture of the DAA looks like the BD version rather than the DD. Guess nobody caught that at the time.

Malcolm

 

[whirlcool]

I like the control panel on these Kenmores better than the electronic panel on my Whirlpools. It seems easier to figure out.

 

[frigilux]

I remember seeing these at Sears and marveling at how futuristic they looked!

One other funny thing: The first time I saw a dual-action agitator (it was in a catalog) I thought maybe the auger portion went up-and-down like a GM-era Frigidaire and the bottom oscillated like a conventional agitator. I remember thinking, "Wow, they've combined the best of both forms of agitation!"

Ah, silly me.

 

[appnut]

Eugene, I had the exact same thought when I first saw a DAA--great minds think alike--just a shame the WP designers didn't think like us.

 

[circlew]

Dryers

I think the 29" is the better dryer. I've heard it is more reliable and drys better. Also, the 27" machine is 29.5" deep, resulting in it sticking out further than the 29" models that are 27.75" in depth.

I have the 27" model that matches the Calypso washer, but I've never hooked it up yet due to having to move out of the house soon after buying it. Hope to get moved back in by mid to late Summer. Whirlpool has a 29" dryer that would look OK with my washer, so may get it, and sell the other.

 

[DADoES]

When I refurbished my Calypso-match dryer, I found that the air duct assembly in front has rollers to support the drum, it doesn't hang on slides at the rim. There's also a belt-break safety switch on the idler. It performed nicely-enough the few times I've used ... except the cool down seems short, and it severely rolled up a quilt and a set of sheets (although that's in comparison to my F&P with reverse tumble).

 

[volvoguy87]

27 vs. 29.

Yeah, I prefer the 29 myself. A breeze to service (though they rarely need it) easy to clean, and a good performer too.

Dave

 

[retropia]

Fancy

Bill, thanks for sharing the brochures. Ooo, the dryer has Wrinkle Guard III! That's the best ever, right?

The inflation calculator says that a 1987 price of $1,279.98 would be $2,385.47 in 2009. I guess that's comparable to a top-of-the-line set today.

Questions, please:

- Regarding the differences between a 27" and a 29" dryer; are you referring to the dryer width? Can you tell which is which by looking at it? (Like GE used a different door handle on its jumbo-capacity dryer.)

- Was this console only used on direct-drive models? So if I see one I know it is approx. 1983 or newer?

- Could a washer like this one handle washing a queen-size comforter without ripping it to shreds?

Thanks!

 

[circlew]

The 29" wide dryers have the lint filter access on the top, usually at the right rear. Some older models that used a lint storage bag had a larger lint door on the left side of the top.
The 27" machines have the lint filter at the bottom of the door opening like GE and some others.

 

[mrb627]

Rapid DD Agitation

You know. With the rapid stroke of the DD gearcase, a Jet-Cone DAA might have worked out just as well or better than the DAA, IMO!

Sounds like a future Franken-Washer Project! (Paging Dr. Unimatic. You are needed in the OR )

Malcolm

 

[frigilux]

Malcolm---Awesome idea! What a cool agitator THAT would be.

Bob---It's great that we thought the same thing about the dual-action agitator. Little did we know we'd both wind up at the same washer website all these years later!

 

[volvoguy87]

Here's a pair for sale in Cali.

Thanks to Doug for bringing this to my attention.
Dave

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/app/1730962637.html