Some may find this interesting
I was thinking last night about the discussion here regarding the rarity of a black-panel, standard capacity machine with the manual filter and was wondering how truly unusual it is.
I know that the manual filters were used only in 60-series machines, since all 70-series and higher in this era had self-cleaners. By 1976 when the black-panel machines debuted, standard capacity machines from Sears were almost the ugly cousins of the line, that customers weren't shown unless the salesperson was asked about them or if there was a campaign going on to sell them. This transition had occurred just a few years earlier.
I have a really cool old Whirlpool catalog from 1992, which lists every Kenmore and Whirlpool washer model from 1975 to then current. Dryers too. So, figured I'd simply count the applicable 60-series machines. I found some really interesting results, at least for my interest in Kenmores.
Some background: Starting in 1974, the model number system was altered and it allowed some determination of certain features and characteristics simply by looking at the number. It also took into account the machine color. From the new model numbers one can tell if a machine is a 24 or 29-inch model, if it is standard or large capacity, it's series, it's engineering revision, and the model year it was designed for.
I eliminated the color designator first, then excluded the engineering change number (this is a minor change that doesn't affect the machine itself or it's marketing, but changes the parts diagram. Changes in timers, knobs, lid hinges, filters, etc. have all resulted in an engineering change within a model).
Taking those things into account, I counted seventy-four, yes 74, distinct 29-inch black-panel belt-drive models having been issued from 1976 through 1984. (The '84 models were not meant to be showroom floor models and the '83 models were the ones that closed-out belt-drive sales in the stores). Of those 74 models, only 17 were standard capacity, which were offered as 1976 thru 1980 models. I am not counting the 24-inch models.
Of those 17, only one model in '76, '77, and '78, and three in '79, had a manual filter. The '79 models had the tub-ring mounted filter, so, with my machine having a filter just like those of the 60s (with the mounting bracket attached to the cabinet), it truly was the last of the breed indeed.
Incidentally, the '76 / '77 / '78 model was essentially the same, differing in print only surrounding the delicate cycle.
I find statistics like that interesting!
p.s. - there was only one black-panel model in 1980, a six-cycle five-temp machine with a Roto-Swirl. A great way to wind-up standard capacity production, and I'm adding this model to my keepers/dream machine list.
I was thinking last night about the discussion here regarding the rarity of a black-panel, standard capacity machine with the manual filter and was wondering how truly unusual it is.
I know that the manual filters were used only in 60-series machines, since all 70-series and higher in this era had self-cleaners. By 1976 when the black-panel machines debuted, standard capacity machines from Sears were almost the ugly cousins of the line, that customers weren't shown unless the salesperson was asked about them or if there was a campaign going on to sell them. This transition had occurred just a few years earlier.
I have a really cool old Whirlpool catalog from 1992, which lists every Kenmore and Whirlpool washer model from 1975 to then current. Dryers too. So, figured I'd simply count the applicable 60-series machines. I found some really interesting results, at least for my interest in Kenmores.
Some background: Starting in 1974, the model number system was altered and it allowed some determination of certain features and characteristics simply by looking at the number. It also took into account the machine color. From the new model numbers one can tell if a machine is a 24 or 29-inch model, if it is standard or large capacity, it's series, it's engineering revision, and the model year it was designed for.
I eliminated the color designator first, then excluded the engineering change number (this is a minor change that doesn't affect the machine itself or it's marketing, but changes the parts diagram. Changes in timers, knobs, lid hinges, filters, etc. have all resulted in an engineering change within a model).
Taking those things into account, I counted seventy-four, yes 74, distinct 29-inch black-panel belt-drive models having been issued from 1976 through 1984. (The '84 models were not meant to be showroom floor models and the '83 models were the ones that closed-out belt-drive sales in the stores). Of those 74 models, only 17 were standard capacity, which were offered as 1976 thru 1980 models. I am not counting the 24-inch models.
Of those 17, only one model in '76, '77, and '78, and three in '79, had a manual filter. The '79 models had the tub-ring mounted filter, so, with my machine having a filter just like those of the 60s (with the mounting bracket attached to the cabinet), it truly was the last of the breed indeed.
Incidentally, the '76 / '77 / '78 model was essentially the same, differing in print only surrounding the delicate cycle.
I find statistics like that interesting!
p.s. - there was only one black-panel model in 1980, a six-cycle five-temp machine with a Roto-Swirl. A great way to wind-up standard capacity production, and I'm adding this model to my keepers/dream machine list.
