Recent Northwest discovery

[eddy1210]

This latest washer and dryer find hail from a small town north of Seattle called Sedro-Woolley. A huge thank you to Brian (Northwesty) for the heads up to me. Brian, please do post the entire story about how you found this little place. Anyway, to make a long story shorter, I was on my way to Seattle to pick up a 55 Kenmore I had a lead on so I stopped by on my way down and there they were: A 1957 Kelvinator set sitting outside in front of A Skagit appliance store. Well, after speaking with the owner, he wanted quite a high price for them, more than I wanted to pay. However, I left him a card with my name and cell phone # and my cash offer saying if you will accept my offer, call me. Later that day the owner called me and accepted my offer. By then I had a Kenmore loaded up so I headed back, bought the set and the rest is history. There is a big problem however with the washer which I discovered after buying it and loading it up: I looked underneath the machine and my heart sank. The motor/clutch was missing!! It turns out the owner had taken out the motor because he tested it and it was tripping the breaker and overheating. And.... he lost it. Gone, clutch and all. The machine is otherwise mint, it was owned by an older lady who actually never used the washer. She continued using her wringer washer. She did however use the dryer, but by looking at it, light use. So here they are everyone.

 

[eddy1210]

Another shot

The mandatory interior shot... They sat outside for almost a year and the tub had quite a bit of water in it. I took some out with an old towel I had with me.

 

[northwesty]

Well, here's the rest of the story...

Well I have my feelers out and I was contacted twice about this machine. The first time via a Craigslist want ad where the lady tried to sell me a wringer washer. After I declined she said there was a machine on the street in Sedro Woolley just like the one in my want ad, which features Robert’s 1955 Westinghouses and beautiful 1957 Kenmores (thank you Robert for taking such wonderful pictures). Anyway I was rethinking my dream machine wanting of the Westinghouses, I guess due to the practicality of running them often, but anyway I made some phone calls up there to discover a disconnected phone and otherwise unreachable merchant, so I left it at that. A week later I received another call, this time from a letter and pictures I had sent to an appliance recycler who informed me of the same machines, but that they were white and not pink. I said, PINK, that’s not the Westinghouse, that’s the KENMORE! So I ran to the car and drove to Sedro-Woolley. Anyway when I got there of course they were the Kelvinators, which are very nice machines, but I had to think about it.

I came home and ran through the ebay/craigslist routine and for some reason checked out Eddy’s Want ad. Well this time it featured a Kelvinator just like the one I had just seen a few hours ago. I figured the fates were telling me these machines were destined to be his so I emailed him with my phone number and the story. I think he called me 25 seconds later.

 

[tlee618]

Eddy I am so happy for you, what a great find!! For having been outdoors that long they look really good. I love the styling on these. I am sure someone will have some leads on where you can get the missing parts. Keep us posted. Terry

 

[northwesty]

Edward, I do hope the Motor/Clutch turns out to be easily replaced. I am glad it turned out as well as it did in obtaining the machines, but these challenges are what make these things interesting.

Brian

 

[frontaloadotmy]

very very nice

it will be fun to see you get them up and running.
They are beautiful.

 

[eddy1210]

thank you again Brian

I can't tell you how excited I was to receive your email and then talk with you about these. Actually driving home I was kinda down after discovering it's vital organs were missing! But you're right, it's what makes these finds a challenge to get up and running again. Be assured I will give you a lead if I come across a Westinghouse laundromat set! BTW did you get that Kenmore on Craigslist in Portland?

 

[gansky1]

And the cure...

This is from a Kelvinator, but you could probably make it work. Not sure of the clutch condition but again, it's a step closer to The Magic Minute! Is the motor mounting bracket still in the machine?

Congrats Eddy - what a great find! The only one in the club I believe.

 

[eddy1210]

WOW and YAY

Hi Greg, boy that was fast! I really appreciate that. No, the motor mounting bracket is not there. I have a picture of under her skirt I will include.

 

[gansky1]

Oh crap...

Hold on then, let me go snoop some more.

(that machine really is NEW - MINT IN BOX!!)

 

[gansky1]

Well, I have one, but it's from a later Kelvinator washer and little different. Not giving up though...

 

[bajaespuma]

Hey Eddy 1210

I'm going to Vancouver this weekend for a short stay. Any good old/vintage appliance places to recommend?

 

[peteski50]

Wonderful Find

Hi Eddy,
This is a real great find. A gem of all gems I wish I was their to watch it work. It looks like it is in real great shape.
Best Of Luck
Peter

 

[knitwits1975]

Skagit County Rocks!

Congrats Edward!
This is a great find, and hey, you will find parts for it. Even got the matching dryer. That makes it really worth going for. I actually got a really cool gas stove last winter in Mount Vernon. Just so you know, There are frequently some cool things at the Salvation Army thrift shop in Mount Vernon. I would also recommend a trip to La Connor. But again, I'm happy for you.

 

[gyrafoam]

WoW! What a great find! Fantastic pair---congratulations Eddy!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Congrats!!!

Hi Eddy

What a find, and the underneath is Brand New...I`m sure applianceville will come up with the missing bits,

Is the dryer "gas", is that the pilot on the kickplinth??

Cheers, Mike

 

[tomturbomatic]

I love that old "child killer" door knob on the dryer. Congratulations to all in this acquisition

 

[swestoyz]

OMG Eddy! What a find! The washer looks like new! Hopefully with a new motor/clutch assembly and a boot seal from Mark and you should have your Magic Minute up and running.

I still can't believe you found the pair! WOW!

Congrats~

Ben

 

[Unimatic1140]

WOW a 1957 Do-All-Dial Kelvinator Set

YAY Eddy this is a MAJOR find, 2006 is turning out to be a banner year!!!!

I have a really good, rust free Kelviantor clutch you can have and I think I have a motor bracket as well, so if you get the motor from Greg you will have your Kelvinator working in no time. I will stop at storage over lunch and see if I can find that bracket.

 

[northwesty]

Just a thought...

Edward, I would send a thank-you card to Wes at A Skagit Appliance, with a Post Script that if he finds the motor/clutch, to please give you a call. It must have been mint-looking so I can't believe he would throw it out. It's probably "lost" in a box in his garage or something. He had moved his business to that location within the last year or so.

 

[mayken4now]

Very nice machines. Glad they were kept in nice shape for so long.

 

[rickr]

WOW!! What a rare set to find!! Congratulations Brian, and with the help of the club members you will have this running in no time!

 

[peterh770]

Wow, Eddy! Spectactular! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Unimatic1140]

All Is Well in Applianceville

Good news Eddy, I found the bracket and a perfect clutch for your Kelvinator, since Greg has the motor you'll be Dashing and Splashing in that beauty in no time!!! YAY

 

[eddy1210]

Overwhelming

You can't begin to imagine how grateful I am for these parts! Thank you so much. Thank you to everyone who has posted your kind remarks as well. Once it's up and running there will be pics and a commentary on it. The Do-All-Dial is quite unique, apparently you can advance or repeat any part of the cycle anytime from what I've read. Can anyone else in the club tell us more about this timer and dial?
Brian, yes I think I will send him a thank you card. I believe as you do, he wouldn't have intentionally got rid of it. He's not been too well lately and he mentioned that some things have just "gone missing".

 

[geoffdelp]

Hi Eddy ...

Oh my; congratulations on such a wonderful find!!! This will be a most beautiful addition to your collection.

Is this the same Kelvinator that we sometimes see in the POD with the serviceman/installer at the bottom of the basement steps? I think it might be.

Love the look of those machines!!!

Geoff

 

[jamman_98]

Bravo!!!!

Excellent find! They do look like brand new!

Joe
jamman_98

 

[appnut]

Eddy, speechless!! Maybe b4 I die I'll make it to Canada.

 

[pushtorelease]

Things of beauty Eddy - congrats!

 

[thirtyater]

Eddy, those are just spectacular! I can't believe the condition! What a great style too. Why can't they make things with such great style now? Congrats!