Jason, I'm glad Spats saved the machine. I kind of like the auxiliary switches on top; makes them easier to see, and the actual timer dial seems slightly slanted toward the user, which is nice. Interesting to hear about the agitator, I don't know that I've seen one of those in action. Looking back now, that was such an unfortunate period in Sears washer history (not in 72 but later in the 70s) and that's always frustrated me. I definitely like this one better than the black ones!