My 2 Cents
As much as I love the woodgrain, (it's the same as the GE set Momma had when I was growing up), I see nothing wrong with changing the panel out. Whether the owner is happy with it is far more important than if we are happy with it.
As far as making it a "mongrel", I disagree. really the only difference between any of those GE dryers is the control panel. It will be the same exact dryer as the original contrl panel would have went to, just with a diferent model number. As much as we would love to keep things all original, we also know how hard it is getting to find mathing sets. These washers and dryers we collect are getting older and harder to find every day, so I feel whatever one has to do to make a matching set, it is worth it. The look of them sitting there side by side, is far more important than comparing the 2 model number plates.
In case you cant tell, mismatched sets make me sad, lol. It just gives the laundry area a rag tag sort of look, where a matched set is a thing of beauty. Right now I have the Maytag Atlantis paired with a late 80's Kenmore dryer, and while it is perfectly functional, it drives me bonkers. Not to mention I never have liked the top lint filter in the Kenmore compared to the front door area filter in Maytag or GE, not to mention the drop down door I keep banging my knee against.
So I say customize it to suit your desires, it is your set, and a pair you love makes you happy every time you do laundry.
