POD 10/28/12 KM cheapies

[tomturbomatic]

Note at the bottom that the 24" machine with temp & water level settings is more expensive than the 29" machine at the top. A friend had a similar washer with the gray control panel, except it only had normal and delicate cycles, 3 temps and water levels. The dryer was more like the one in the ad, slightly more deluxe than the washer, but the control panel was lighter, like a beige or something, but not the two shades of gray. He went to Sears to buy them and the salesman was so obnoxious about trying to sell him more deluxe models that he went to the catalog desk to order them. The salesman came over and told him that if he ordered them through the catalog, he would have to pay shipping charges. Friend told him it was worth it not to have to deal with him.

Note, too, that KM cheapie electric dryers had lower wattage heating elements so they were slower. Couple that with the middling water extraction of BD Kenmores and drying was slow. There was nothing about the design that mandated the lower wattage element, it was just a matter of making more expensive models more attractive. If the lower wattage element ever had to be replaced, it was usually replaced with the higher wattage one.

 

[lebron]

What year are these?

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Jed -

The machines on the top of the ad are 1970 500-series models. Of the two 24-inch models, the least expensive is a 1967, and the better is a 1968 model.

Sears didn't revamp the 24-inch lines as often as the full-size machines, and these models were around until 1972 when they finally introduced a whole new rotation of 24-inch models. I think Combo/John has the better of the 24-inch machines in his museum. I have an in-between model (17300) which is a fun little washer.

The BOL 24-inch (17200) machine has some rather bizarre cycle features. I have an owner's manual that covers this machine, and it is an interesting read. The single, normal cycle has a 15 minute wash, which fills with hot on the 15 to 7 minute marks, then warm 6 to 2. It has a 2-minute drain, a 4 minute first spin which is divided as 1 minute no spray, 2 minutes 4 sprays, and another 1 minute no spray (usually these were 2 minutes with spray and two minutes without during this period), a ONE MINUTE rinse in warm water, a 2 minute drain, then 1 minute spin with 2 rinses (two! - very odd) and 5 minute spin no spray. I don't know what surprised me more, that most of the normal cycle fills with HOT only or the 1 minute rinse.

 

[wayupnorth]

Those were somewhere in the late 1960's. A cousin had the cheapie washer at the bottom of the ad and it washed for her 3 kids fine for years. My mothers last automatic was similar looking to the top one but it had 4 cycles (an enzyme soak), no water level adjustment and no temp adjustment (only 1 inlet) so a Y adapter on the faucets were needed. Good machine but rust took its toll under the lid. I do rememmber Ma paying $130 something for it with the tax.

 

[maytagbear]

I was worrying a while back

that I was hallucinating about the one dial, no real backsplash cheapies.

I can understand, to an extent, times and situations where a very, very simple machine might be wanted, but those machines were/are too simple for me.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[70series]

There were only a few Kenmore models that I saw in multiple homes. The 1970 500 was one I saw in 4 homes including my aunt's, and looking at the price I can see why. Also, while it was not glitzy by any means, it had the necessary features most launderers would have wanted.

Have a good one,
James

 

[danemodsandy]

Well, That's Goofy!

Am I the only one who noticed that the 2-speed, 3-cycle version of the no-backsplash cheapie cost $20 more than the 500 washer?

 

[kenmoreguy64]

The 24-inch machines were sometimes more expensive than their 29-inch counterparts. Smaller production volume may have something to do with that, and possibly the captive market the 24-inch models were aimed at does as well. I've seen this ad a number of times and never noticed, although the 24-inch model does have a self-cleaning filter that the big machine doesn't. In 1982 Kenmore offered a 2-speed, 3-cycle, 3 level and temp model in large capacity, and in a 24-inch version also. They were clones visually. In one catalog the large cap 29-inch model was $299 and the 24-inch was $369 (this was not yet a DD model). Made no sense to me except they were really pushing the 29-inch models that year...

Actually the 2-speed three cycle machine which is not shown has a typical Kenmore console. Having a five temp combination switch and the adjustable levels, it reguires a full console. Sears may have sold more of them from this ad had they provided a picture as most readers would presume it had the same no-frills appearance of the el-cheapo model.

Gordon