Price is steep but it looks like it's in nice shape.
Pre-1966 Blue Bell for sale in MN
- Thread starter kenmore71
- Start date
Help Support :
Looks like the washer has an IMPELLOR istead of an agitator.Interesting.
christfr
Well-known member
i have seen these but never knew what they were called they look fun
These were never offered with a pump.
For those who don't know, the model NX or "Blue bell" was intentionally made to be the bottom-of-the-line machine. It is my understanding that it was often advertised at an appealing price (for many years $99) to get people into the store. They would then be up-sold into a true model N (often for $129). As a result, there aren't that many of these out there. They are appealing to Maytag wringer collectors but I would not want one as my primary wringer washer.
For those who don't know, the model NX or "Blue bell" was intentionally made to be the bottom-of-the-line machine. It is my understanding that it was often advertised at an appealing price (for many years $99) to get people into the store. They would then be up-sold into a true model N (often for $129). As a result, there aren't that many of these out there. They are appealing to Maytag wringer collectors but I would not want one as my primary wringer washer.
The NX
was indeed different from the N. It had two black rolls in the wringer instead of 1 white and 1 black. A pump was not offered but maybe dealers installed one for some folks. I would think tho, that if a pump was installed, it would cost about the same as an N2LP. They were offered with an upgrade to the Maytag agitator but came with the impeller. I would love to find one close to me. They did come with turquoise trim also. This one pictured had gray wringer and skirt and when the color change became effective im 1963 the gray turned to white like the N's. The label was red and on the porcelain tub on the gray one and was the newest label placed above the agitator on/off knob on the skirt on the white/turquoise ones. I don't know how many years they made them. I agree that probably not many were sold making them so rare today. My collection would be complete with an NX addition. I think the cord was even shorter on this model. I do know they were different but not so sure how much other than what has been stated. I want one !! LOL.
Jim
was indeed different from the N. It had two black rolls in the wringer instead of 1 white and 1 black. A pump was not offered but maybe dealers installed one for some folks. I would think tho, that if a pump was installed, it would cost about the same as an N2LP. They were offered with an upgrade to the Maytag agitator but came with the impeller. I would love to find one close to me. They did come with turquoise trim also. This one pictured had gray wringer and skirt and when the color change became effective im 1963 the gray turned to white like the N's. The label was red and on the porcelain tub on the gray one and was the newest label placed above the agitator on/off knob on the skirt on the white/turquoise ones. I don't know how many years they made them. I agree that probably not many were sold making them so rare today. My collection would be complete with an NX addition. I think the cord was even shorter on this model. I do know they were different but not so sure how much other than what has been stated. I want one !! LOL.
Jim
I always thought they were so ugly. I guess its the color combinations that don't do it for me. Maybe if the wringer rolls were the standard 1 white and 1 black it would be better. Does anyone know if the plusator would fit any of the wringer models? I have heard that they tangle really bad but would love to see one in action. Anyone know of any vids out there?
Pipe to my old thread of an afternoon of "Blue bell" washing at Geoff Delp's that includes video!
www.automaticwasher.org
Blue Bell washin'
This past Sunday, Ben (Swestoyz) and I went up to the St. Cloud area to visit Geoff. One of the items on the agenda was to do a little washing in his recently aquired and spiffed up Maytag NX "Blue Bell". Here are a few pics of the fun. Tub shot with the low-post agitator installed
www.automaticwasher.org
Also, any Maytag wringer gyratator will fit in the Blue bell.
The differences between the N2L and the NX were the following:
1. No finish coat of white porcelain on the tub
2. No finish coat of white paint on the wringer, skirt & lid
3. 6' power cord instead of 10'
4. 2 "soft" rollers (black) instead of one soft and one hard (white)
5. No lid holder on the skirt
6. post-less Gyratator
7. No factory-insalled option of a pump
As far as I know, the wringer release lever changed to turquoise and the logo decal changed to the "new" Maytag logo in January of 1966 when the entire line of machines switched from red release levers and agitation knobs (on the J2 & N2) to turquoise.
To my knowledge, the post-less gyratator was never made in turquoise. It was changed from black bakelite to black polypropylene sometime around 1963 or 64 when all of the other agitators across entire production was transitioned.
The differences between the N2L and the NX were the following:
1. No finish coat of white porcelain on the tub
2. No finish coat of white paint on the wringer, skirt & lid
3. 6' power cord instead of 10'
4. 2 "soft" rollers (black) instead of one soft and one hard (white)
5. No lid holder on the skirt
6. post-less Gyratator
7. No factory-insalled option of a pump
As far as I know, the wringer release lever changed to turquoise and the logo decal changed to the "new" Maytag logo in January of 1966 when the entire line of machines switched from red release levers and agitation knobs (on the J2 & N2) to turquoise.
To my knowledge, the post-less gyratator was never made in turquoise. It was changed from black bakelite to black polypropylene sometime around 1963 or 64 when all of the other agitators across entire production was transitioned.
I stand
corrected on the wringer and skirt colors I guess. I just went to see my color ad of the NX and it has the turquoise trim and new logo. The wringer and skirt appear to be white rather than gray and the logo is definitely on the skirt? I wonder why the difference in my ad and the pics posted here? Maybe I am losing my mind and eye sight LOL. Thanks for the correction of the specs I had wrong !!!
Jim
corrected on the wringer and skirt colors I guess. I just went to see my color ad of the NX and it has the turquoise trim and new logo. The wringer and skirt appear to be white rather than gray and the logo is definitely on the skirt? I wonder why the difference in my ad and the pics posted here? Maybe I am losing my mind and eye sight LOL. Thanks for the correction of the specs I had wrong !!!
Jim
Jim, what year is your ad from? Can you scan it and post it here?
It is certainly possible that at the tail end of production that they changed things and simply used white for everything.
Geoff's machine from the link above is from Sept. 1966 so that would have been right after the transition to turquoise.
It is certainly possible that at the tail end of production that they changed things and simply used white for everything.
Geoff's machine from the link above is from Sept. 1966 so that would have been right after the transition to turquoise.
mickeyd
Well-known member
I'd get a kick out of having one ~
It would make a great rinser. Set it up near the sump pump for an easy gravity drain. Run a fill hose and modify it to make a semi-permanent inlet flume--wonderful.
About the chop-off. Maybe you, Mark, or one of Tagophiles can help me. My childhood memory houses a distinct image of a classic Maytag Automatic with a black postless agitator. Is this a faulty memory or did Newton once market an automatic wearing the cut-off jeans agi ?
It would make a great rinser. Set it up near the sump pump for an easy gravity drain. Run a fill hose and modify it to make a semi-permanent inlet flume--wonderful.
About the chop-off. Maybe you, Mark, or one of Tagophiles can help me. My childhood memory houses a distinct image of a classic Maytag Automatic with a black postless agitator. Is this a faulty memory or did Newton once market an automatic wearing the cut-off jeans agi ?
To my knowledge there was never an automatic marketed with a post-less gyratator.
That said, even though the height of the splines for the automatics and wringers were slightly different you just never know what a service man or handyman might have done in a pinch!
That said, even though the height of the splines for the automatics and wringers were slightly different you just never know what a service man or handyman might have done in a pinch!
mickeyd
Well-known member
Thank you, Mark!
It's comforting to know that such a distinct memory may very well be accurate.
Long live the Bleubell. I think they're beautiful. So glad you brought such a pretty one on board.
It's comforting to know that such a distinct memory may very well be accurate.
Long live the Bleubell. I think they're beautiful. So glad you brought such a pretty one on board.
mr-maytag
Well-known member
I think this is the same machine I went to see over in St. Paul about a year ago. It had a considerable amount of surface rust (which you can see on the leg in another picture on the ad) and the rubber was all crackly - and at that time they claimed it had never been used and said it had no rust. They'll drop the price - they started at $350 last time, too (if this is indeed the same one) - and said they were going to sell it for scrap if it didn't sell for $100 or $125...can't remember exactly.
Geeze,
I am totally confused about what I thought I knew now LOL. This pic I gathered I don't know where from. It shows how wrong I was about the colors and logo. I don't have a way to scan the ad unfortunately and have no idea what year it was :-(. I took it outside and do believe it is gray rather than white. But, the logo is right above the agitator knob ???? I am chalking it up to a fluke ad and going to believe they all looked like this one as far as color's and logo go. I think I am having the vapors LOL.
Jim
I am totally confused about what I thought I knew now LOL. This pic I gathered I don't know where from. It shows how wrong I was about the colors and logo. I don't have a way to scan the ad unfortunately and have no idea what year it was :-(. I took it outside and do believe it is gray rather than white. But, the logo is right above the agitator knob ???? I am chalking it up to a fluke ad and going to believe they all looked like this one as far as color's and logo go. I think I am having the vapors LOL.
Jim
