The Inglis Sterling washer runs!

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

That machine is a neat curiosity for sure. Canadian WP products don't always seem to follow U.S. convention, but your machine seems to have a pre-60s basket (with the four rows of perfs on the bottom) and that does look oddly like a Whirlpool cap on the agitator. The panel though looks very 60s-ish.

Can you give us the full serial number? That may shed some light on the machine's age. I have half a hunch though that the machine may have received some donor parts from another (older) machine at some time in the past. Didn't WP usually supply speckled porcelain tubs for theirs and Inglis machines, at least in this era?

Regardless, what a GREAT looking washer!

Gordon
 
KenmoreGuy64

And while he's at it, maybe he can explain the lighted console and the lighted tub as well.

Because here in the U.S., didn't Whirlpool did away with the lighted tubs back in the early/mid 1960's (although, I did see lighted tubs on the early/mid 1960's Lady Kenmores (the last being the 1965 model with the push buttons on the top above the cycle-timer))???

That "Ingis" model (which is a Canadian Whirlpool) does look like an intriguing machine, doesn't it???

--Charles--
 
Hydrofluoric Acid

Be very very careful using HF!!

Although HF is considered a weak acid, it has some unique properties that make it dangerous to handle. It is easily absorbed by the skin and reacts strongly with calcium. Problem is that skin contact often goes unnoticed because it is painless. Sometime later it reaches your bones (the calcium) and begins to dissolve them (very painful!). So, by the time you notice it, damage is done and is irreversible....

It also reacts violently with silicates (sand, glass etc) so be careful where you store it!

It is excellent at removing oxidation however....
 
Charles -

Yep, that is an intriguing washer. My guess is that this is an early to mid-60s machine. Judging by the timer skirt/dial, the lid handle and the overall console design, it sure compares to other Whirlpools of the time, at least in IMHO. I suspect that the basket and agitator cap (maybe the agitator too?) came from a late 50s machine/machines.

I wasn't aware that Whirlpool had ANY lighted tubs, but being that this is an Inglis, who knows. They weren't exactly WP clones so anything is possible.

As for the Kenmores with the lighted tubs, I have 3 1965 Lady Kenmores (2 now and one on the its way here) but didn't know that they have tub lights. I'll be sure to check! So often these bulbs burn out and the machine owners don't bother to replace them, as was the case with my Mom's '61 Kenmore that I never knew had a lighted control.

I had hoped to be going through the '65s by now for the my use or someone in the club, but haven't had an idle moment in the last month or so. I will let you know what I find when I get into them!

A great weekend to all!

Gordon
 
Late 50's to Mid 60's Lady Kenmore Washers....

Gordon:

Yep...... the Lady Kenmore Washers from that era did in fact have lighted tubs in addition to lighted consoles.

Ask Robert (Unimatic1140) if you don't believe me. He has a 1957 Lady Kenmore, and I'm quite sure his has one inside of it (he'll probably tell you that himself). Not long ago, someone on these boards restored a 1959 "All Push-Button" Lady Kenmore, didn't they???? I know for a fact that the 1959 has one as well.

The 1965 models were the last ones to have lighted tubs. So yeah, when your 1965's arrive, check on that for me. I'm quite sure they have them too. The 1966 and on models do NOT have them. I think Whirlpool has done away with the feature by then (probably to save money or something).

But then again, the early TOL Whirlpools had them too. A couple of people on here have 1956 models, and they not only had lighted tubs. But they had germicidal lamps as well as lighted consoles.

--Charles--
 
Intriguing for sure. The panel does look very much like Whirlpools from 1965 or thereabout. The combination of design elements must have been popular with the Inglis and Canadian Kenmores. I believe the 50s style basket was common in all Inglis and Canadian Kenmore models from the 60s. The agitator cap puzzles me because of the W signifying Whirlpool. I would think the letter on the cap would be an I. However I am not surprised the cap is a 50s style. I remember viewing an archived thread about Eddy1210 getting a 1967 Model 70 Kenmore that had the skinny mid 60s black Super Rotoswirl agitator with a 1950s cap. I can't remember the basket perforations too clearly, but I think the tub in his had the four rows around the base like this Inglis does. I do remember that it was the speckled color, which was not seen on US built Kenmore 70s from that time.

I know very little about tub lights for model years of US branded Whirlpools and Kenmores, but I know that they were present in Lady Kenmores at least until 1964. As far as Whirlpools go, tub lights were in some of the 1961 models, but I have no clue about thereafter. However I agree that the Canadian washers did not always follow US design conventions with regard to time frames. After all, if I recall correctly, belt drive models were still in production in Canada for several years after the US went DD.

Gordon: You bought the 65s? Congrats, I hope they arrive soon and that you have lots of fun with them. 1965 put out some nice designs, but then again so did every other year back then. I always liked how the lighted portions of the consoles leaned forward a little. Very unique.

Have a good one,
James
 
James -

I think you may have something there! One thing for sure, it's fun to see something different and to theorize on its origin.

I had always thought that Canadian built machines WP were made in the two U.S. factories (after all, why build machines in Canada when we in the U.S. ship from Ohio and Michigan to the West Coast every day, and from St. Joe and Clyde to Toronto is a short drive?) but maybe there was/is a Canadian plant? That would explain a lot.

RE: The 65's. I'm not sure James which ones you're thinking about when I said some were on the way, but there are two pairs actually. Remember the Coppertone Ladies in Denver? I bought them several months ago, and paid to have them shipped from Denver to Phoenix about a month ago. Shipping took a while to arrange. They will rest in Phoenix for a while, then ship from there to Fort Smith, Arkansas (free), take a shorter pit-stop there, then ship to Charlotte again for free. It's a crazy route, but Denver to Phoenix was cheap and the rest is space-available and free. The 65 800s are paid for too, however getting them here isn't arranged yet but I've started the process.

Back on topic, such a cool Inglis. I hope it brings a lot of fun to its new owner!
 
I was referring to the 800s. Yes I do remember the other set now. Wow, you are getting two. It just gets better.:)

Have a good one,
James
 
Serial number and the 'maiden wash'

Gordon, I'll get the complete serial number this weekend when I get back to the house in Ogden. I would just love to know when exactly this machine was made!
I did a couple of loads of real laundry in it this weekend and I filmed it - I'll post the linkie as soon as it is ready (that may not be until next week, though).
The washer performed beautifully - I had forgotten what a huge difference a small component like a lint filter makes on a washer. Minor glitch - the hot water inlet solenoid seems to have given up on me. Hot water leaked into the tub continuously and would not open when the hot wash was selected. I need to go parts hunting but again that probably won't be until next week. But, wow, what a great washer this is!! Here's how it looked with the matching dryer...

12-29-2008-07-45-55--turquoisedude.jpg
 

Latest posts

Back
Top