I think there are a few of us here on the site who have a special penchant for these mid-70's Kenmores with the center dials and the brushed aluminum looking control panel tops. These models immediately preceeded the 1976 Kenmore black-panel "wet look" models that were so incredibly popular for more than 10 years. To the best of my knowledge, there were only three 1974 and two 1975 29-inch models, and around 4 24-inch variants between the two years that features this style of control panel. The 1974 and 1975 lines were sold concurrently, and between the five models, they offered a 300 series in standard capacity, and a 50, 60, 70 and 80 series in large capacity. These were some of the first real ground-breaking 18lb. large capacity machines. There had been others from 1967-1973, but they were never high-volume major sellers like many other models, not until the 74s and 75s came out anyway.
I had seen ONE 1975 model 50/500 in my travels in the 90s when I was heavily involved in rebuilding and sales, and it was on a used appliance store's floor, in avocado. When Andy/RedCarpetDrew found a white one last year, I nearly flipped with glee. That machine got legs and walked away when Andy's back was turned, but thanks to Jon1077 who saw the Craigslist Portland ad, I got this gorgeous set. If they are as nice as they look, these may very well take up at least temporary residence in my laundry room inside the house.
For a 500 series washer, this is feature packed. They came from the factory with self-cleaning filter (not a 500 series usual), bleach and fabric softener dispensers, pre-wash cycle, large capacity, full porcelain top and lid (I hate the painted Kenmore tops because they RUST) and an off-balance relay. The only thing that might be even marginally not enough on this machine is the 3 water levels. Depending on where medium fills, I may find it a bit too low and high a bit too much, but I am already used to dealing with that. I think the large cap. models should have had 4-levels or infinite, but I'm digressing....
The machines are pictured in our California plant, and will soon be transferred to Charlotte the next time we have a stock transfer truck. It took several weeks to find a shipper to move them for a reasonable price from Portland to CA, then when the shipper picked them up, he took over 10 days to deliver. But, now they are one further step toward Charlotte where they will join a 1974 60-series machine and a 1975 70. Too cool....
I had seen ONE 1975 model 50/500 in my travels in the 90s when I was heavily involved in rebuilding and sales, and it was on a used appliance store's floor, in avocado. When Andy/RedCarpetDrew found a white one last year, I nearly flipped with glee. That machine got legs and walked away when Andy's back was turned, but thanks to Jon1077 who saw the Craigslist Portland ad, I got this gorgeous set. If they are as nice as they look, these may very well take up at least temporary residence in my laundry room inside the house.
For a 500 series washer, this is feature packed. They came from the factory with self-cleaning filter (not a 500 series usual), bleach and fabric softener dispensers, pre-wash cycle, large capacity, full porcelain top and lid (I hate the painted Kenmore tops because they RUST) and an off-balance relay. The only thing that might be even marginally not enough on this machine is the 3 water levels. Depending on where medium fills, I may find it a bit too low and high a bit too much, but I am already used to dealing with that. I think the large cap. models should have had 4-levels or infinite, but I'm digressing....
The machines are pictured in our California plant, and will soon be transferred to Charlotte the next time we have a stock transfer truck. It took several weeks to find a shipper to move them for a reasonable price from Portland to CA, then when the shipper picked them up, he took over 10 days to deliver. But, now they are one further step toward Charlotte where they will join a 1974 60-series machine and a 1975 70. Too cool....
