Several have asked for pics of my stored Kenmores and WPs.....

[mickeyd]

HI Guys! Sorry to add to the confusion......

the 4th&5th pics in the link are those of my 62 Lady Kenmore--or so I was told. But when I opened her up the brass switcing plates for the bleach and softener dispensers say 64. Dating machines (HAHAH) remains one of life's great mysteries for me.

Enjoy the pictures and forgive the new confusion ;'D

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/ARCHIVE/VINTAGE/2007/13823x17.htm

 

[suds14]

Kemoreguy64,

Thanks for posting the 68 kenmore washer pictures 3-9-08. That was my grandma's washer, only hers was avacoda green, and had the suds saver. It brought back some great memories for me.

Thanks

David

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Figuring out an elusive Lady's age...

Mickeyd -

I think that is a '63. If the model number is anything like 110.6304800, 801, 802, etc. then it's a 63 model. Anything that is a 63 model could have been made from the later half of 1962 well into 1964. The parts you were looking at could well be original and therefore the machine was made in 1964, OR the parts themselves were made then and replaced to the machine at some point later on, or scavenged from a later model.

My personal 1986 made Kenmore (August production) is actually a 1983 model release. In my rebuilder days, I had two copies of one machine that were '74 models made in 76 and 77, then I got another years later that was made in 78, yet was the same model. The 78 even had the short centerpost engineering that came out that year.

Some models only lasted a year or a season with Sears, others stayed out there for three or four years. I'd love to know how those decisions were made.

WAY COOL washer, btw. Years ago I could have had one of those and I screwed up and didn't get it. Has yours been restored or is that beauty an original? VERY nice indeed. Lots of my friends mothers had those growing up, one lady, who had 5 kids and a mother of her own at home, had two at once with a dryer (a 60 series) in between. When they were both running I'd go nuts. My friend just tolerated my enthusiasm...

 

[kenmoreguy64]

David / Suds14

It's cool to be reminded of these old machines, isn't it? I bet your grandmother's wasn't as dirty as mine, but I'm hoping that this summer mine will have new bearings and other new parts, and be like new again.

 

[jamman_98]

OMG

My dad has the matching dryer to the Kenmore 800 with the hidden controls!!. Be still my heart!! I'd love to see it. I'm down in cola, sc just and hour and a half away.

jamman_98
Joe

 

[johnb300m]

i hate to bust your nuts, but GAHD Kenmore had UGLY machines back in the day.
Many of the other vintage brands are cool and nice looking. But jeez, these are pretty bad.

No offense.

 

[rickr]

Why don't you post some pics of your restored Maytags for us johnb300m? I know you must have quite a few, as they are the most easy brand to find. Only because they only changed the console design twice in 30+ years.....

No offense.

 

[johnb300m]

they're machines, not your children.
i love old machines as much as you do.

but these kenmores are styling nightmares.
just making an observation.

 

[70series]

First, I will say I believe that all Kenmores are just as beautiful and good looking as all other vintage brands.

John: While it is true that machines are not children, you must remember that their collectors take pride in them nontheless, just as you have with your washers I am sure. Therefore you should not be surprised at any negative response you may receive to your comments. You may claim no offense and mean it, but your verbiage IMHO could easily be seen as offensive. Kenmoreguy64 was kind enough to post these pictures, and did so at the request of members, and you should have taken that into account.

You are welcome to your opinions and observations as we all are, but if those opinions could offend unnecessarily, it would be better to refrain from rendering them, and adding unpleasantness to an otherwise happy thread.

Have a good one,
James

 

[jons1077]

I like the Kenmores...

It's not always about whether or not a particular machine looked good in our current perception. It's about these machines bringing back good memories. At least that's what it is for me. Alot of people would walk by an avocado green machine or one of these Kenmores and say it looks horrible. When I see one of those black-panel BD Kenmores I think of my childhood because it's what I grew up with. I couldn't care in the least otherwise. I think that's where their beauty is. Granted, some machines are simply beautiful. Terry has the most gorgeous Maytag! Thanks for readin.

Jon

 

[rickr]

I do not think of washing machines as children. Personally, I do not want any of the machines posted. However, I do think that it was kind of the owner to post the pics, and offer to repair these to anyone here that may want a 1960's to 1980's machine.
The styling on these are similar to other brands of the same era. Think fake woodgrain, ect. One persons trash is another persons treasure with this hobby. There are people here that would love to own one of the machines pictured. There is no reason to post rude comments, just because these machines do not interest you.

BTW: How is your collection coming along? Do you have anything to show us?

Just making an observation...... <:

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Re: the styling nightmares....

Here's my take on this discussion:

While I will admit that some Kenmores are more attractive in my eye than others, I don't presume that anyone else should share the reaction that I have to them. If someone likes the same things as I do, GREAT, we can have a lot to talk about. If they have a different passion, that's great too, I'm happy that they have one.

I don't have many fond memories from childhood of Maytags, GEs or any other brand that doesn't do much with the lid raised. As a young kid, I may not have had the hours of cheap amusement had it been that my folks bought something other than their 1961, 1974 and 1983 Kenmores (though I may have adjusted accordingly). Fact is, we had Kenmores and I continued that by buying my own later. Today we still have them and I very much enjoy a Kenmore, styling nightmare or not. You'll never catch me making an excuse for appreciating what I do. It's ironic that my granmothers both had Whirlpools, most of our neighbors had Kenmores or WPs as well, so I grew up thinking those machines were "the bomb" and I still do.

In my storage can be seen a 1974 Kenmore (front-most machine on the left in the first pic). That is a clone of my mother's second washer. I am planning on treating that machine to a total restore this spring/summer, which will involve renewing the mechanicals using new WP parts, and repainting the cabinet which is yellowed now and has some surface rust. It's going to be a decent amount of work, but more fun than real work due to my memories of that machine (I was 10 when we got ours and 18 when we sold it to a friend of mine). I would have no interest at all in devoting that much time to a Maytag, they simply don't "do it" for me, but I'm not going to advocate to anyone that their Maytag or otherwise is anything less than just as valuable and important to them.

I think we're really fortunate to have AW.org as a forum to discuss our washing machine and appliance hobbies. Let's face it, there aren't many other venues out there....we should respect the feelings of other members and be appreciative of the opportunities we have with AW and therefore work to keep the experience fun and enjoyable.