RCA Whirlpool Thread!

[maytag85]

I got an idea to make this thread since there is a thread called Kenmore Thread and I thought I would create a thread about RCA Whirlpool washers and dryers built from the mid 50’s to about 1965 and 1966 . To start here’s my 1963 RCA Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII set

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?37465_205

 

[peteski50]

Whirlpool!

To start a good thread

 

[ddfan92]

The only pic I have:

One that I saw for sale a long time ago. I'd wager circa 1960, maybe?

 

[maytag85]

Reply #2

That is from 1966 since that was the last year for the Whirlpool push button timers and perforated drum back 29” dryers

 

[ddfan92]

Gotcha

Didn't realize they still made those in pink by then.

 

[maytag85]

Reply #4

They even offered them in almond or something but I imagine it wasn’t a popular color back then in the late 50’s and early 60’s. The one Whirlpool set featured in the Wonderful World Of Wash N Wear from 1958 is a almond color or something

 

[circlew]

The washer shown in reply #2 looks much more like Doeskin rather than Pink, though it could just be the lighting.

The set in reply #5 looks more Pink on my screen. PaintRef list Whirlpool's colors in '58 as being Yellow, Pink, Green & Lilac.

 

[peteski50]

whirlpool

I think about 1960

 

[peteski50]

Whirlpool!

Dont have a interior shot

 

[DADoES]

 
The Magic Clean Filter indicator is tied to the agitate solenoid circuit, which is when filtering occurs.

 

[ddfan92]

Here ya go!

 

[maytag85]

Reply #10

I actually have seen a 1958 Whirlpool Imperial timeline washer in person before but didn’t see it run since the transmission needs oil added to it and needs to have the timer rebuilt according to my friend Gsohoover on YouTube. Sadly there are no 1958 Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII’s that have survived except the one ‘58 Whirlpool Imperial timeline washer Gsohoover/glhturbo2 has. No 1957 Whirlpool Imperial washers are known to exist that I am aware of. The 1963 Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII set I have could be the only one that is known to exist in the hands of a collector since I’ve seen none in the archives here on AW

 

[peteski50]

whirlpool

Here is a 54 or 55

 

[goatfarmer]

RickR has a beautiful set of 1956 Imperials.

 

[swestoyz]

My '62 Whirlpool (a carryover of a '61 model with some slight tweaks). Mechanism is from an early 70's Kenmore, agitator came from a mid-70's Whirlpool.

 

[agiflow4]

Great thread. Bring on more please.

 

[mrmaytag]

1966 RCA/Whirlpool

My 1966 RCA/Whirlpool washer. I saved this from the crusher about 10 years ago. It was sitting in a neighbors garage when I drove past and saw it. The centerpost was completely rusted through and the baseplate wasn't in much better shape. Saved this one by transplanting a baseplate/centerpost/transmission from a later model machine.

 

[goatfarmer]

One I sold years, went to Georgia I believe. 1966

 

[imperial70]

Whirlpool stacked

Did whirlpool ever make a stacked unit that had the older belt drive mechanism?

 

[maytag85]

Reply #18

I believe Whirlpool did make a stacked belt drive laundry center and it would have had to have had the same mechanical parts as the Whirlpool and Kenmore portable belt drive machines. John Lefever/combo52 might have a belt drive stacked laundry center in his fleet.

 

[peteski50]

Whirlpool!

Nice 59 I wish I could see the control dial better

 

[maytag85]

Reply #20

Nice! Here’s a somewhat of a matching dryer to your Whirlpool washer

 

[peteski50]

whirlpool

1958 Imperial timeline

 

[gyrafoam]

1958 Timeline-------

is in great mechanical shape. John Lefever gave it a good going over years ago.
Problem is that damned timer!
After tinkering with it on and off for years, I finally noticed in the "fine print" that the timer could not be worked on and that the whole unit had to be replaced if something went wrong.
Ok, well, long ago NLA and even NOS would likely have issues by now even if you could find one.

Tyler would drool over it every time he came over, so after explaining the timer issues, I moved it on to him.
I am confident if anyone can get that timer working again it will be Tyler, whose enthusiasm for the "hobby" is remarkable!

 

[maytag85]

Reply #23

Saw that machine in person last summer and it is beautiful! Would be cool if there was a matching dryer to it and hopefully one does surface again in the future.

Here’s a video Tyler made back in 2018 and you’ll hear him mention my name since this is one of my favorite machines as well. I wish I had a Whirlpool like that but I can’t complain about my 1963 Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII set in turquoise I acquired a month ago.

 

[turquoisedude]

56 Imperials!

I had to jump in on this one, especially since my 1956 RCA Whirlpool Imperial washer and dryer set have been reunited for the summer!  

The washer has been running smoothly since it was rebuilt (that's 'cause I didn't do the rebuild...LOL) back in 2011.  The dryer ran but I had experienced some oddities with the timer, so I mothballed it for a good number of years.  Last summer I decided to investigate what the timer issue was... big mistake.  People like me should NOT play with timers...LOL   I managed to get the timer rebuilt but I also noticed the unique Whirlpool centrifugal switch that ran off the blower pulley to power the heaters was burning.  I cobbled together a fix using a lower-voltage switch to power a relay to control the heaters - it actually works and I've been enjoy high-speed drying and ozone-freshened clothes for several months now. 

 

[peteski50]

whirlpool

I think a 62!

 

[re563]

Whirlpool--petski50

My Mom had that same washer, she told me once that she had purchased that
washer 1 year before my brother was born, so that would have been either 1958 or '59

 

[peteski50]

whirlpool

This washer had to be at least a 1960 the magic mix filter didnt come out till than so the most it could have been was a 1960!

 

[DADoES]

 
Identical color scheme, console, knobs, and timer layout as our 1962 LJA32 except for ours having 3 water level choices ... and a turquoise filter housing and chrome agitator cap.