geoffdelp
Well-known member
Notes on Chrome Letters and Agitator
I found some service notes that will help with the dates for the chrome letters and lint filter agitator.
The first mention of the chrome letters on the Model E's in the "Let's Talk Service" bulletins is April 1959. The chrome agitator pull was also put in place at the same time. Maytag offered replacement letters to the dealers for .20 each and the chrome agitator pull was .45 each. I haven't found the notes that say exactly when the letters were put into production.
In the same vein, the first mention of the lint filter agitator was an ad on the back of the November 1958 "Let's Talk Service" saying this agitator was "The Year's Hottest Feature". Again, it doesn't state exactly when it was put into production. The next mention of this agitator was in December 1966 saying they had discontinued the lint filter piece and replaced it with another lint filter (no picture). The new lint filter was slightly higher than the old one and would not allow the lids on the J's and N's to fit tightly on the tub. Bet that PO'd a lot of women!!
The last mention I can find in my bulletins is in November 1967 where they replaced the lint filter that didn't fit right with a new polypropylene one. The picture is black and white but it looks like a turquoise version of the original and it says that it can be used in all 3 models ... E, J, N. It also offered the same agitator; bakelite. Bet Maytag was trying to use up the stock of bakelite agitators because I can't find any mention of a poly replacement agitator.
Don't know how rare these agitators are but they must not have been as popular as the standard "gyratator" version. The standard Maytag agitator was superb; but the lint filter agitator is just as superb and offers pretty good lint removal.
The agitator that Steve has is GORGEOUS!! Mine is still in really good condition and I have used petroleum jelly on it in between washes to help preserve it and shine it up. You just put a film of petroleum jelly on with paper towels and then just wipe/shine it with another paper towel. The petroleum jelly is water soluble and does not stain clothing.
Hope that helps and by all means, keep looking for these agitators; they've got to be out there somewhere!!
Mickey ... maybe I could make big bucks by renting out my agitator??? LOL!!
I found some service notes that will help with the dates for the chrome letters and lint filter agitator.
The first mention of the chrome letters on the Model E's in the "Let's Talk Service" bulletins is April 1959. The chrome agitator pull was also put in place at the same time. Maytag offered replacement letters to the dealers for .20 each and the chrome agitator pull was .45 each. I haven't found the notes that say exactly when the letters were put into production.
In the same vein, the first mention of the lint filter agitator was an ad on the back of the November 1958 "Let's Talk Service" saying this agitator was "The Year's Hottest Feature". Again, it doesn't state exactly when it was put into production. The next mention of this agitator was in December 1966 saying they had discontinued the lint filter piece and replaced it with another lint filter (no picture). The new lint filter was slightly higher than the old one and would not allow the lids on the J's and N's to fit tightly on the tub. Bet that PO'd a lot of women!!

The last mention I can find in my bulletins is in November 1967 where they replaced the lint filter that didn't fit right with a new polypropylene one. The picture is black and white but it looks like a turquoise version of the original and it says that it can be used in all 3 models ... E, J, N. It also offered the same agitator; bakelite. Bet Maytag was trying to use up the stock of bakelite agitators because I can't find any mention of a poly replacement agitator.
Don't know how rare these agitators are but they must not have been as popular as the standard "gyratator" version. The standard Maytag agitator was superb; but the lint filter agitator is just as superb and offers pretty good lint removal.
The agitator that Steve has is GORGEOUS!! Mine is still in really good condition and I have used petroleum jelly on it in between washes to help preserve it and shine it up. You just put a film of petroleum jelly on with paper towels and then just wipe/shine it with another paper towel. The petroleum jelly is water soluble and does not stain clothing.
Hope that helps and by all means, keep looking for these agitators; they've got to be out there somewhere!!
