Restore or Re-Sell - Seeking Advice

[jetaction]

Several years ago, after finding these 1958 new Kenmore's still in the box locally, I hosted an unboxing party at our home. Since that party I stored them for a couple of years and used them to do just a fewloads of laundry. I also have a 1959 set that is a dream set, not new though. I don't need both and a friend suggested using the 58 set to make a mint 59 set. After I got the 58 set someone from here offered me $4000 but I wasn't ready to sell them. That was through a now deleted email so I have no idea who it was, I recall California.

I like the idea of a mint 59 set but could come close with paint, buffing and such but that wouldn't give me a nice new shiny tub .... I thought this would be a fun group to survey on this matter.

 

[maytag85]

Others will chime in on this, but it all depends on what you paid for your ‘58 Kenmore set that was mint in the box. If you only paid a reasonable amount for them and someone is offering to buy them for $4,000, I’d sell since you’ll be making a profit and possibly can put that towards restoring the ‘59 Kenmore set from the ground up depending on what it will need.

 

[appnut]

Don, if there's any way you could take detailed photos of the control panels as well as the pop up fabric guides, I would sincerely appreciate it and that's an understatement. The only Kenmore with this style control I've seen in real life was the LK Combo that was in residence next door to us when we moved into our new house Seotember, 1961. Thank you.This combo was replaced with a 1965 LK Combo.

 

[repairguy]

Personally I wouldn’t be able to take any parts off of or get rid of the 58 set if I found them new in the box. I’m big on them being pure and original although that’s not normally possible with vintage machines. Congrats they are beautiful.

 

[DADoES]

 
It was more than 45 years ago (in the mid 1970s) that I went along on a service run to a customer who had TOL Kenmore very similar to that, with the auxiliary knobs along the base of the control panel.  The call was for something else, maybe ice maker or window A/C.  I recall that Ted and his dad were both on the run, which was unusual.  The route was around the outside of town and covered several stops.  Maybe it was a TV repair, only his dad did those so all of us possibly were on the route to hit the list of waiting calls and save mileage for two vehicles.  I recall Ted remarking before we arrived about the "old Lady Kenmore" that was still running in great shape.  I had a brief peep at it.

 

[jetaction]

Bob, here you are..

I was waiting for you to ask for panel pics, LOL.

 

[dominic20]

nice beatuful kenmore

those are gorgious

 

[peteski50]

Kenmore!

What a beautiful set!

 

[revvinkevin]

Hey Don those are gorgeous!

Personally I agree with Melvin, I would not / could not even consider cannibalizing that PRISTINE 1958 set for any reason, it would be such a shame to do so. I would sell them.

Just my 3 cents,
Kevin

 

[goatfarmer]

not often seen.....keep them

 

[maytag85]

I agree with Kevin and Kenny, I wouldn’t borrow parts off of it since it’s the closest thing to a washer and dryer set from 1958 the day it was purchased.

 

[cycla-fabric]

Don, that set is fantastic, I would do what I could to keep it going thats a Lady Kenmore for sure.

Doug

 

[appnut]

Don thank you very much. So much appreciated. I hope I don't ever wear out my welcome with requesting panel pics; That pic looking right into the washer with the tub light just about took my breath away, I thiink I almost gasped.

I'm assuminig the dryer has auto dry whereby as the clothes reduce moisture and heat is off longer that is when the timer moves. I'm also assuming each of the 3 main cycles had respective different temps accordingly.

 

[rinso]

I would keep them if they are still in operating condition. They are indeed beautiful. The only drawback the WP/KM belt-drive machines had was anemic water extraction, but a collector often has a separate spinner needed for heavy cottons. They did a great job, had 6 short spray rinses before the deep rinse, and a clutch-saving neutral drain.

 

[Unimatic1140]

friend suggested using the 58 set to make a mint 59 set

That's what I would do Don, I actually did that with the brand new '57 Kenmore 800 that I found to make my '57 Lady Kenmore brand new.

But those '58 machines sure are pretty as they are, oy!

 

[delco1946]

You said you have the matching dryer? I’d say sell the mint condition boxed set. Imo you only cannibalize sets too far gone to save. That washer looks incredible!

 

[golittlesport]

Hi Don!

Amazingly beautiful set! I'd keep them!

Our neighbors had this set when I was a boy and I saw them running constantly as I was best friends with their son and we often played in the basement where the washer and dryer were. Always a sink full of Tide suds waiting for the next load. Not sure if unique to just this model, but certainly not common on Kenmores/Whirlpools, is the separate control for agitation speed. The spin speed is controlled by the cycle selected, but normal or gentle agitation could be had on any of the cycles. Also, five wash water temps and separate rinse temp selector! Very flexible for its day.