Thanks, guys! :-D
Greg --
I think everyone was amazed at the minty-fresh condition -- Me too! I guess getting a Sears service contract on new machines was a tremendous idea!
Toggle --
turquise tart(s) -- I love it. I think that'll be their new name.
Eugene --
Now I think they're absolutely cool, especially the late 50's/early 60's machines -- My fascination comes and goes. I like the color, mostly. I've worked on (torn apart) by myself more Kenmores than any other brand, and I think that familiarity breeds contempt. But, this machine has been doing nice things like not leaking and not generally annoying me, so my affection is beginning to return
Ross --
can't wait to come over and see it in action -- Definitely! I think the albs will come out beautifully, and we can even experiment with the dryer sprinkler before ironing! :-D
Steven --
900's wanted to see their older cousins...So glad you got the machines workin good and I do love the 900's VERY much -- *the Lady Ks wave giddily* Hi back to the 900s!! :-D I'm so glad you enjoy those--they definitely went to the perfect home

And, CONGRATULATIONS on rectifying the performance issues and getting them into top-notch shape! Next, you'll be ready to reoperate your Unimatic!
Robert --
YAY for witchcraft -- You got that right!! :-D My other option was to move the GE and Kenmore with a cheap dolly that has two flats, and then to fanagle the GE up a foot-high ledge into the storage shed. I certainly would never have tolerated that. Only witchcraft from now on!
BTW, there's a Flair 40" for sale here in Tucson. Would my powers increase if I had it? ;-)
Graham --
one of the more showy sets i've seen -- I love the "multicolor filmstrip" effect and the tub light, even if the latter makes me have to unplug the washer when I'm done

Oh, and speaking of beautiful, I LOVE your dryer collection--you have great taste, and you can never have too many of any of these things so long as there is at least one outlet or gas line in the house :-D (Rotate, rotate, rotate!)
Terry --
Don't you just love that little filtering light -- Yes, and when it burns out, all filtering stops, so you have to keep on top of it ;-) I like having the self-cleaning filter (and it sure as heck beats toothbrushing off a Kenmore waterfall filter, or whacking the hell out of my 1-18 bed o' nails, so yay for maintenance-free

).
Terry, you have to take credit on this one--remember, I wasn't going to keep the set together, initially (*sound of shocked gasps*) ;-)
James --
the skinny Super Roto Swirl. Is that the original agitator -- I don't know, maybe one of our Sears Cataloguers could tell us for sure. If it is, the change-over must have happened very close to '62 or '63, because my '61 had the preggers Roto Swirl. This agitator, however, has a lot to suggest that it is original--its wear and lack of gloss is age- and use-appropriate, and it's made of Bakelite and molded for the drive-block design.
Steve R. --
old Whirly/'Kenmo dryers were really good machines and designed to dry FAST -- I *totally* agree, and love these dryers, too. They're hard to beat, no matter the washer. And you're right about the lame extraction

(Furthermore, as I was posting the pics last night, I heard a weird sound, and had to shoo the cat out of my lap to go investigate--it was the infamous Kenmore stop-and-buzz due to an out-of-balance load. Sheesh.)
It is a shame about splashy/spraying water and control panels--when I used my 1-18, it was a wipe-a-thon, and it amazes me that anything survives with an intact control panel at all. I guess it must be a testament to Little Old Ladies and their propensity to wipe everything with a soft cloth after use--and, well, probably never watch the washer run...but what's the fun in that??
thirtyater --
My family thought I was nuts. -- Mine too. I also remember that the fabric-softener dispensers that perched atop the belt-drive, Dual Action washers scared me when I was little.
Whenever I wanted a fun day, I asked my parents to go by Sears so I could play and look at everything. Thank goodness for accommodating and understanding parents

I remember going nuts when Brand Central was introduced...
fa_f3_20 --
Can you still get that dryer freshener stuff? What was in that stuff anyway? Not sure on either account. I don't think you can get it unless you find NOS stuff. It's just attached to a tube that goes down to the top-back of the drum, so I've no idea as to the liquid's composition...