New Vintage Find!!

[westytoploader]

We were in Houston earlier today when I spotted a "promising" used-appliance store, with rows and rows of old machines in the back, apparently waiting to be repaired since the trash pile was located elsewhere. Went in and the owners let me check the back; looked through many "new junk" machines, a few BD Kenmores and Whirlpools, and a few 80's GE Filter-Flos in sorry shape, and actually found something good for $20!!

It is a 1970's TOL machine that is somewhat rare, but seems to be in nice cosmetic shape with no signs of water or oil leakage...will do the "reveal" later! If it works 100%, it will take the place of the DD Kenmore (which is pretty much "out-of-place") in the "laundry studio". Still wish it wasn't white, but considering the machine I can't be too picky!

Also peeked in a long-closed laundromat with a long row of Harvest Gold machines, and after looking closer, there was no doubt in my mind that those were solid-tub Speed Queens!!! A row of white machines was on the opposite side; not sure what they were but they were definitely older. Would love to get a hold of one of those...will see what happens!

In the meantime, any guesses??

--Austin

 

[partscounterman]

Oh, Austin...

I'm already going out of my head waiting for convention time and now you pull this! I may need to be sedated before the week is out!

I'll guess Norge/Signature ?

David- Soon to be transfered to the Molokini Unit at Maui Memorial Medical Center (read-psych ward)

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Teasing Us:

Hey! Austin, let us know what your new find is, "PLEAZ" don't keep us in suspense, you know how that is for everyone to be curious as to what you've found.

Is it a familiar Brand/Model or possibly something that isn't quite as popular of people owning from when it was introduced new?

Peace, Happy Suspense, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[appnut]

Austin, I'm even salivating. The catcher "1970s TOL" You are cruel. Hey Venus, you son needs a good talkin' to!!!! for the sake of ALL our sanity.

 

[westytoploader]

Hint: Not Norge/Wards or Kenmore!!
I guess that leaves out GE, Maytag, Whirlpool, Westinghouse...

I spoke to Greg earlier and he told me that this particular machine was made from the early 70's until 1976-77; my machine appears to be one of the last made since it differs cosmetically from ones I have seen in pictures, and it doesn't have a console light . After a good cleaning it came out really nice, IMHO!! I did take the inner tub out and did the usual POR-15 job on the outer (and parts of the inner) tub for rustproofing. Took the back panel off and my worst fears were allayed...NO OIL LEAKAGE!!

Tried it on "Spin" and it runs quietly...other than the minor rust issue there really doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it! Do have a few more things to do tomorrow but by tomorrow night it should be ready for a water test, and if all goes well, by Saturday it should be washing!! When it's all back together I'll do a reveal, does that sound good?? LOL

Meanwhile, there sure were a bunch of dirty rags to wash...WOW does the phosphate-laden Ariel suds on a small load!

 

[DADoES]

Umm, so the brand in question was only on the market for that time period??

And you found it in Houston.

I was thinking Blackstone, but that would be too rare, and ended in 1974.

1970s. TOL. And no console light.

Amana? Speed Queen? KitchenAid pushbutton or touch control model? But that'd be direct-drive. You don't like direct drive. Frigidaire? Another 1-18? Surely not one of the Holy Grail models, for $20. A WCI Kelvinator?

I have no clue.

 

[westytoploader]

Not the brand, just the machine in question existed during that time period. Is it a DD? Nope, it's just replacing one.

Another hint: the agitator is a straight-vane, but that wasn't the only type of agitator offered by that brand...

 

[DADoES]

Duhh. It couldn't be a KA in the 1970s.

Straight-vane, on a TOL, but not only straight-vanes in the family.

Same basic TOL model, marketed for seven years, with only cosmetic changes?

Would it have been native to the area, or "imported" from across the land?

Still could be Amana, if their curvy-vane 'tator counts as not straight. Did SQ ever use that?

Catalina? But that'd be of the Norge family.

I gotta finish my work.

 

[gansky1]

The comment about "remove back panel - oil leak check" was a HUGE hint!!

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Removing Back Panel, no Oil Leak:

Hi! Austin, is this an older Frigidaire Washer, with a "Tranny" that you found? It would be a Washer, with a Back Panel and could have an Oil Leak possibility and you mentioned about the other Washers, that is wasn't of possibility Brands.

Peace, "Just Keep Us Guessing and in Suspense" "BRAT" {LOL}...
Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[veg-o-matic]

Hamilton?

 

[retromom]

To tell, or not to tell.......

Of course, I would never think of spoiling Austin's surprise. However, everyone has their price. ;-)

 

[westytoploader]

Glenn, none of those, however, you will definitely have some fun with this one

I still can't believe no one has thought of it yet!! The reveal countdown begins, and it will probably be a machine you least expect...

 

[spiralactivator]

GE FilterFlo?

 

[mrcleanjeans]

automatics anonomys

perhaps a Hoover?

 

[agiflow]

GE Americana?

 

[pulsator-power]

Could it be a late model Kelvy or a Wizard?
Jerry

 

[DADoES]

Hotpoint.

 

[peterh770]

Apex