Saved from a basement in St. Paul: An early Whirlpool

[swestoyz]

Hey Guys and Gals <br
I just got home from my afternoon trip to St. Paul. Wow - what a beautiful day in the midwest for a quick 450 mile jaunt (thankfully I am on vacation.) For those who had not seen, there was a post a few days ago from a very nice fellow named John, who had noticed a Kenmore dryer for sale on Craigslist in St. Paul. The seller just so happened to include the right hand side of an early Whirlpool in the listed photo. The seller had mentioned in the ad that the 'old washer' was not working and was free. I had inquired about the washer, and made arangements with him to head up there and pick it up this afternoon. Wow - was that trip ever worth it!

 

[swestoyz]

Home in Waterloo

While the machine was worth more than the best price of free, the seller and I had agreed on a reasonable amount. He had pluged it in last night to discover that the machine works - for the most part. He had issues with an overflowing problem - must have been a rare feature on these early Whirlpools ;-)

 

[swestoyz]

Beautiful bakelite agitator

I just love this agitator, I wanted one as soon as I had seen the "Mother Takes A Holiday" film on the Prelinger Archives.

 

[swestoyz]

Unfortunately, the machine hasn't be cleaned since the day it left the factory in St. Joesph. A good paint job will be needed - but will be put off due to the current house project. It looks like Brian had quite the paint booth setup with the Bendix! Also, this machine has had a replacement water valve installed, and the temp control just spins and spins - and I might add looks very ugly!

 

[swestoyz]

No Suds Dial

With a quick wipe of the rag, the dial was somewhat presentable. Good news is that the timer seems to work perfectly. Nice long 20 minute wash... the when the cycle is done - buzzzzzzzzzz!

 

[swestoyz]

Model Tag

Okay, I was thinking this machine was a 1952 - the date noted on the Prelinger Archives for the film. But, if I'm reading the tag correctly, it looks like it is a 1950? Surely I am mistaken <br
Thanks again John, I really appreciate that you posted the ad for the dryer - without it, this machine may have been lost to the crusher <br
Ben

 

[exploder321]

What a washer.. Wow

 

[swestoyz]

Oh yeah, one last thing. Since it was a quick trip up and trip down, I wasn't able to meet up with any of the great club members from Minnesota. A trip back is long overdue, and hopefully by spring I can get back up there to see you all! <br
Ben

 

[tolivac]

super nice washer-and built within a year I was born!!And really like that colorful agitator.

 

[northwesty]

Cool Washer - I am glad it was saved.

I think it is a whole lot like the 1951 Kenmore washers I have. I know that they made mine basically identically from 1949 - 1951. Maybe it's whirlpool cousins were the same so it could be 1950 <br <br

 

[appliguy]

Actually Whirlpool did not got to the Control panel on the b

from 1947 to 1950 the control dials were on the front of the machine just like Kenmore. I am envious Cory that is a real awesome machine. PATRICK COFFEY

 

[appliguy]

oops sorry Ben I mistook you for Cory.....

Sorry about that

 

[gansky1]

Very nice, Ben! The agitator alone was worth the drive - what a beauty! Perhaps the float switch is stuck - unless this is a hybrid test-market model, there should be no everflow ;-)

 

[tlee618]

Congratulations Ben, what a beautiful machine, I love that red agitator. Amazing that the lettering on the dial is still so good. Can't wait to see this one after you work your magic on it.

 

[veg-o-matic]

Wow Ben, what a great score! First thing I though when I saw it was "Mother Takes a Holiday" <br
Does the lid pop open when the cycle is done? Do you have to push the button on the front? Does the button light up <br
OoooOOOOOOOooooh! Totally cool <br
veg

 

[lesto]

What a rare find to come across an early Whirlpool with the red agitator. I LOVE red agitators! This is going to be an awesome machine for you. Keep the pics comign as you work on her
Les

 

[rickr]

Glad you were able to snag this great machine Ben. That will be a beauty when it is finished! If you need help gathering parts, I will be able to help you on that. <br
Love the "marblized" agitator! Such style back then. That is why the early WP/KM machines are my favourites. They just knew how to make their machines look so grand back then!

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice save,Ben! Did you get the dryer that was pictured,also <br
kennyGF

 

[frontaloadotmy]

That is a real beauty

Ben. You might have to create space for it on the main floo
near the kitchen!!!

 

[frigilux]

Congrats! I have to concur with everyone who is drooling over that great agitator. Hope to see pics/vid of it running---or at least overflowing, LOL.

 

[gyrafoam]

Very kool find
I found one of those in the woods of North Carolina last year and Mark (Lightedcontrols) has it. It is in pretty rough shape but that wonderful red marbelized agitator is the first I had ever seen of that type <br
At an estate sale this summer with Brent Aucoin I found the only remnant of a washing machine, on top of a file cabinet cast aside in the basement----the instruction booklet for one of these red agitator Whirlys---in great condition! I think I put it in a zip-lock bag and tossed it in Mark's machine the last time I was at his warehouse.

 

[westytoploader]

Ben, congratulations, what a great save! I too love the look of that "marbleized" agitator, and that deep tub opening is too cool! Keep us posted on the progress.

 

[danelto]

Nice Find!

Beautiful washer! You're so lucky. Good luck with it <br
I think I'd be tempted to hook it up in my living room for the world to see <br
dta

 

[swestoyz]

Post Clean Up!

Well Guys, I spent most of the afternoon with a bottle of Turtle Wax Chrome Polish and a few rags - and man, did the Whirlpool clean up! While it is far and few from being mint, I must say, for being over fifty years old, she still is quite the looker. Since I left my allen wrench set at my parents, I wasn't able to pop the top and take a look at the float valve, but decided to give her a good test drive. Here she is after a bit of elbow grease <br

 

[swestoyz]

Another Glam Shot

A shot from above

 

[swestoyz]

Do you think it is still guaranteed by Good Housekeeping?

 

[swestoyz]

Time for a fill!

Since the float valve still has not been inspected yet, I decided to fill'er up with the Porta Washer hose.

 

[swestoyz]

Nice wash action!

I just love the agitator, don't you? ;-)

 

[swestoyz]

Cleaning the rags that cleaned the machine!

A nice colorful bunch.

 

[swestoyz]

Ah, the famous Whirlpool/Kenmore drain, drip, drip, drip, drip...