The two sisters Lady Kenmore, reunited after 26 years

[kenmoreguy64]

On video and other long lost sisters...

David - video is a great idea, and I have envisioned both my machines running side by side. BUT, it won't happen immediately. You see, I've made this promise to myself that some older long-standing projects must be completed in the world of my washers before I can bring anything else home. The white Lady from Andy is here, but it leaks like a boat hull made of swiss cheese. Cross your fingers that it is only a bad centerpost gasket. The almond machine is not yet here, it resides in the warehouse, and thus it can't come home until I determine that the other projects are done. They are not considerable, but enough to keep me busy a few good solid days. The almond Lady was holding stagnant water, which it pumped out when given a chance, so maybe all that one needs is a good cleaning?

Dick - I think you have as many of this version of Lady as I do! Yes indeed, let's get a serial number! In the interim, since you have that one ultra-elusive 1983 80-series outside, and you have all these cool Ladies, we need to work on getting that 80 out of there!

I know the "proper" 1983 Lady with the white tub and the porcelain top/lid were made well into 1986 as well, so it will be interesting to see what your other set turns out to be.

Gordon

 

[Dick_S.]

the serial # is C53401943

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Thanks Dick!

That "dis-confirms" part of my theory, that this model was made late in BD life only after most of the BD selling was done. But, this is a 1985 model number, and at least we know now that some did exist in 1985. Yours was made during the 34th week of 1985 (without looking at a 1985 calendar, that's the end of August, or first of September).

I wonder now if a customer was interested in a Lady Kenmore (I didn't even look at them semi-seriously, being a kid with only a part-time job) would the salesman show the customer both versions, or just whichever one was on sale? Maybe some day we'll have a former Sears salesperson join our forum...

Gordon

 

[bpetersxx]

Boy I think that we may have had one of those strange models as well

Ours looked like the ones on top almond but it had the spreckled basket and porcelain lid

I know for sure the underside of the lid where the operating instructions was not almond but black with white lettering

And the top of the control console was woodgrained instead of black

Cannot remember when we got it maybe winter 82 or 83 it was either after I graduated or before I started work at Payless

In fact the dryer we got was different than the one we picked out at the Sears store

We had it until 97 when Mom wanted a Electronic DD set when we remodeled the house and Sears took away the almond set

I still kick myself to this day that they were hauled away as they still worked

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Pete -

The model you refer to most likely is a 1981 21831 or a 1983 23811. Both these models did indeed have the woodgrain console top, a speckled basket, and porcelain top and lid (which would make the lid underside a dark navy blue color, almost black, with white print) just as you mentioned. The 81 model was the top of the line Kenmore that year except the electronic Lady Kenmore. This model did NOT have the triple dispenser. This machine was very expensive, and though it was available for about two years, they are not very common at all.

The 1983 model is very obscure, and wasn't available very long - less than a year I'd say before the 1983 Lady K replaced it. This one DID have the triple dispenser but was otherwise the same as the '81. I believe this model debuted to market in very early 1983. I have never seen an '83 model built before January of that year, and most seem to come from that summer or later.

Either way, you had a cool and rare machine. Both these models or on my limited dream machine list.

Gordon