Thinking about getting some Frog Eyes...

[redcarpetdrew]

Found these on display at a nearby shop. 1957's and in minty shape! I'll show some pictures then will pose a question or two.

First some history. They were gently used then ended up on display at the Sears store in a very small rural town nearby. They sat on display for a long time then were aquired by the owner of the store I found them in. There is supposed to be NOTHING wrong with them at all and were working at time of static display.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

The washer console is in great shape. Hell, the WHOLE washer is in great shape... A little touch up here and there but not much and not bad.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Money Shot!

The inside is fantastic. Look at that agitator! Has a waterfall lint filter.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Closeup of the console...

 

[redcarpetdrew]

The dryer...

She's electric and is also in wonderful condition...

 

[redcarpetdrew]

She has that 'shine'... A money shot!

The interior is clean and the drum has that healthy shine!

 

[gyrafoam]

What a fantastic find! I hope you are able to get them. The worst problem I had restoring my frog-eye was tracking down the correct tub-to-pump hose. Once I did that---- the rest was easy.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

So, the questions...

The gentleman who has these is not pressed to sell them. He isn't worried either way. He has them more for the nostalgia then the possibility to sell. O.K. I can respect that. I'm trying to work out a price with him that may involve a partial trade of another appliance I have.

I really like them and desire to get them due to the styling, condition and that they are matching! Dan said (jokingly) that I'm a traitor to all things Maytag and Gordon thinks that He can convert me to the Kenmore side of the force... LOL!!!

So.... What do you all think of them and what do you think a fair price for them would be? I'm not out to screw the owner on money but don't wish to be taken, either...

RCD

 

[gyrafoam]

$300.00 for the pair.

 

[rp2813]

Maybe you can trade him a center dial machine or something along those lines as part of the deal, or anything he can tape the same "American Made" statement onto.

I think Todd got a Kenmore pair several months back of similar vintage, and they were asking $200 or $250. Considering yours are such low mileage, they are probably worth the $300 stated above.

 

[bendix5]

Those are beautiful Andy. I remember different house holds having that style when I was a kid. They are in nice shape. Unusual. I like the copper colors around the controls. Do they light up behind the timer dial and the dials on the left. One aunt of mine had the frog eye green background with little levers for water temp and levels. She got them in 56 or so when her 29 Maytag wringer which was my grandmothers started shocking her. She always left the lid up so I would just stand there and watch it until she sent me off outside. It was sure different that watching my moms Bendix. We are enjoying the Mark 2. JoEllen finally got to watch a cycle run thru this past weekend. It is a great machine. Thanks again and hope you get these machines. Dano

 

[lebron]

Amazing pair. Good luck on aquiring them.

 

[rickr]

Those are really nice machines! My mother had the same model washer. I think the console may light up at the timer, and at the water level/temp controls on this model, but cannot remember for sure.

 

[mattl]

Does anyone have any pictures of the "Frog eye" line over the years? That is what brought me here years ago. Robert was kind enough to answer my email on the topic, but either my memory is fading or I've never seen one as I recall it.

As a kid we had a washer, not sure of the brand, that had a back lit black dial with a gold knob in the center, very frog eye looking off to the right side. The temperature controls where back lit also in red, yellow and I think green translucent plastic. The tub had two lights, a regular bulb and a germicidal bulb, and it was a suds saver model and one of the hoses was a sort of army green. It had to be from either '53, '54 or at the latest '55. My uncle worked with Jimmy Hoffa, (my Mom was a secretary for him too...) and I heard tell it "fell off a truck" somewhere and my folks got a good deal on it.

I'd love to see a picture to confirm my memories...

 

[appnut]

Veryr nice Andy. Neighbor across the street had the dryer 9in gas) and one of my mom's college best friends (daughter of my "grandparents") had the washer--was my first encounter with AD detergent. Anyway, there are no lights on the timer or auxilliary dials. I think Jetcone ended up with a similar set a couple of years ago.

 

[appnut]

Andy, Ih ope you can reach an agreeable deal for these. they are in beautiful condition. Keepers.

 

[imperialmarkxii]

BEAUTIFUL!!!

My Aunt in San Diego had this washer when I was around seven years old.

Was that style available in 60,70,& 80, etc. series back then, or was even heard of then???

Also, it seems I remember it having the "pregnant" Roto-Swirl agitator; but maybe not

COMMENTS ANYONE??? Thanks,

-Russell

 

[whirlcool]

When I was a little kid my parents had this dryer. My Mom used to say it lasted forever without any problems at all. What I remember is that when you opened the door to unload the clothes, the dryer light had a blue rather than white cast to the light.

 

[alr2903]

Notice the four rolls of holes in the bottom of the washbasket, our Robert once said that is a good thing. They are very nice. alr2903

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice set, Andrew!
I agree, $300.00 is a fair price, not knowing anything mechanically about them.

 

[pulltostart]

Very nice! Good luck with your negotiations.

Lawrence

 

[twintubdexter]

my very most favorite

Of the hundreds of trade-ins I cleaned up for the sales floor I probably saw more of these way-cool Kenmore's than anything else. Sears must have sold a ton of them. Usually, provided the spin tube bearings were still tight, the only thing the washer needed was a pump. And most of the dryers just needed a major de-linting...and/or the gas models needed a new glo-coil. I always wanted to find a pair of these...perhaps one day.

 

[mickeyd]

Hi Andy

As old as they are, they look very modern and new, even futuristic, in the first shot with the startling white and silver.

"Look at that agitator!" Indeed! so humble and unassuming, yet, she turns the best tricks in town. The beautiful bronze in the panel is very reminiscent of that on the 56 Frigidaire. I love it when stuff like that happens.

Andy, it all depends on how much you want it, and how much you have available for sacrifice, and your relationship with the seller. People don't like to say how much they paid. I am no exception, but you asked and I'll answer you.

I once paid a grand for a mint working set of Blackstone 350's. The Dryer was new in the box, NIB. I had wanted a Blackstone washer for 40 years, but I had to buy the dryer too--sold as a set, firm. I offered that much because I wanted to make sure I would get them. Also, the seller had been extremely generous to me in the past, giving me 3 wonderful washers for free, two of which were dream machines, because they had minor flaws.

I have never regretted paying him a thousand dollars. Every deal is personal and individual. Ask how much he'd have to get to feel comfortable letting them go. Good Luck, Buddy!

And now you've got us all thinking about the treasures hiding in our rural town appliance stores, etc. Talk about the coolest Easter Egg Hunt Ever!!! WOW. Thanks

 

[swestoyz]

Beautiful! I hope you get a deal worked out. The lighted dials on these are the best!

Ben

 

[mayfan69]

Go for it Andy

Hi Andy

I hope you get these....they certainly are classic!

Cheers
Leon

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Hey! Drew:

I've sent you an E-Mail on Friday Late Evening, or real early Saturday Morning, let me know about the contents on a reply E-Mail, when you get a chance to write back.

Peace and Kind Regards, Steve
SactoTeddyBear0503...

 

[MikeS]

Gotta Love The Frog-Eyes

My neighbor had a frog-eye Kenmore washer; it kept going and going with five kids and tons of wash every week. And we had a frog-eye Kenmore gas dryer my father bought (for $50) after I complained one too many times about having to hang up the wash. The dryer was installed in the garage, and I had to make my way from the washer in the utility area next to the kitchen, out the front door, and into the garage to dry the clothes. No matter; the Kenmore did the job well. Loved the various temperature settings and I learned to master the timer after just a few loads. A few years later, Mom found a discontinued Kenmore slant panel dryer for $120 at Sears, and it replaced old frog-eye. It was bigger and did a good job, but there was something about the old Kenmore that made it a real member of the family.
Good luck with your new finds, Drew!

 

[supersuds]

I remember my dad repairing our Frogeye dryer -- don't recall what was wrong with it -- and showing me the Packard Electric motor. It had the Packard script like the car company, but it was a General Motors subsidiary. I found out later that James Ward Packard had started Packard Electric before he got into the car business.

 

[kenmore81]

I hope you do get these Drew. That is one nice set!

 

[bygted]

Those are cool - I have the same set - but my washer looks like it was pulled out of a swamp and needs a complete restoration. They do light up. They were considered the "low end" models for 56/57. At least I am pretty sure - I guess that someone will correct me if I am wrong.
They have beautiful styling - I really hope that you are able to get them !