Paul-- this machine is from 1961, the first year of the perforated tub and the first year with the spiral ramped Activator, which, I'm amazed to report, slipped up and off of the spline as easily as you please. This machine is a "version 4" produced late in the model year; note the position of the filter-flo flume--moved from 12:00 to 1:30 and poking through the rubber tub guard, not aimed through a channel in the porcelain lid well. The clothes retaining ring is a very early version; there is, also, no "V-12" embossed on the control panel. Bits and pieces from the factory floor. The tub, as you see in the picture, is the alternate style tub which was the type we had on our 1962 "W" washer, about 1/2 the perforations of the standard V-12 tub. I've always wondered why they had 2 different styles at the same time. They don't seem to correspond to TOL vs. BOL or any specific year in the 1961-1966 range.
Tom--Aunt Clara scraped and pulled at everything on her way out those 3 damn Mother (((((ing doors. The Hamilton Dryer didn't even seem 27" wide although Greg says it is. I'm still thinking about the dryer, but it's not in great condition and the idea of going back to that damn house doesn't appeal to me.
Bob--I'm going to clean her up first before I make any decision about painting her. The backsplash escutcheon is in need of the most attention. It's a very strange combination of absolutely pristine and shiny finish pock-marked with lot and lots of rust spots. I come from an Arts conservation background and it influences me to do as little refinishing as possible to preserve the original finishes. With the cabinet, the most important part is the porcelain top and lid which, I'm happy to report, are in pretty good condition and will clean up well. The cabinet apron is a rust nightmare and will have to be sanded and repainted. If I'm ever lucky enough to find a TOL-ish 1961 V-12 dryer, I may donate the pink top and lid to create a pink V-12 pair for my vintage pink American Standard upstairs bathroom. John LeFever's pictures of that wonderful pink 1962 combo dryer has got me going on that.
Mike--I so wish you and Pete had been there, but you probably saved yourselves from some savage knuckle-scraping. This find has been very encouragin. I imagine there are lots of ancient appliances in basements all around Westchester county. I'm trying to concoct a way to let the population know that these old appliances are worth something and shouldn't just be brought to the dump. The seller's father kept saying to me, "Gee, these old appliances are worth something?". Silly boy...
Greg--That Escalara hand truck is on the wish list, right behind a good pickup truck. I sent you an AW email...
