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liamwa

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Mar 28, 2007
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I'm so excited, we bought a rebuild Maytag center dial A806 today, and it has a backlit control panel. So let me tell you all the story. Our awful 1999 Frigidaire washer finally died yesterday, so time for a new machine. I had pretty much resined myself to getting some sort of Whirlpool DD, So today my Dad and I went into Victoria to look for it. We went to several different places but nobody had any new DDs in stock, they would have to order one for us. We just couldn't wait for that though as we needed a washer right away. Anyway the last place we tried was a new and used appliance store called West Coast Wholesale Appliance, and there it was right inside the door. It was as if it was calling out to me "buy me, take me home." My dad took some convincing as we recently had a bad experience with a used TV. However the salesman explained that all there used machines go through a comprhancive rebuild process, and that he would recommend a vintage Maytag over any new machine that they sell and that it was warranted for one year. I think what finally pushed Dad over the edge was that I offered to buy the machine, and so I did $350. The big old Tag is now installed in our laundry closet at home. My Mum just loves the vintage styling, and we all love how quiet and powerful it is. The machine is in great cosmetic shape with just a couple scratches here and there, and the control panel is just beautiful. I can't believe it, I have a vintage washer and I couldn't be happier! Pictures to come soon!

Liam

PS
I want to thank you all for getting me so interested in vintage washers. This is the best site on the web.
 
Beautiful!You have found one of the best washers there ever was and it is so versatile it is timeless as far as features are concerned.

Be sure to give it a coat of a good automotive wax----I like Meguire's although I think any good wax will do the job. Don't forget to do inside the lid and around the tub opening, and the glass and chrome on the backsplash, timer dial, etc.!When you are through buffing it will look factory new! When you have a chance pick up a new set of belts and a poly-pump from your parts store and store them for the future. Cheap insurance!

I do not trust in Whirlpool wanting to keep the parts for the old machines like Maytag did and believe they will stop production of them.
 
Well I gave it a good wipe down and got all that dried on detergent off the top. It looks great now, I think I'm going to wax it like Gyrafoam says. One question though the powerfin agitator just pulls right out, there's nothing holding it down, is this normal?

Thanks.
Liam
 
Another question how old is this washer, late 70's? Also where does it fall in the line, TOL near TOL? Any info you have on it would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
Liam
 
806 - My favorite Maytag!! Along with the 1-18 from Frigidaire, IMHO this is one of the most nearly perfect TL machines made. Has all the candy, but still very straightforward and user friendly. And the cabinet and control panel design and appearence is still one of the best ever.
 
Liam, I'm pretty sure your machine is at least late 70's if not newer. The Maytag experts should be chiming in on this question for you. It's also pretty close to being top of the line. A beautiful find and I think your mom is going to have this machine for many years to come and consider it the best machine she's ever owned--if she doesn't already!
 
A806

It looks like you have an A806, no suds-saver. This is the TOL dial machine. There was also the A906 with just a row of buttons that was the TOL machine in Maytag's lineup at the time, but the A806 has the most features and most flexable settings. I would say the A806 is the highest-level machine for which replacement parts aren't a problem. The A806 was in production from about 1967 to 1979, though I could be off by a bit. They were changed a little over the years, and I'm willing to bet yours is a later one. Post the serial number and someone could tell you the time of its manufacture. Enjoy your Maytag, I have an A208 which, though close to BOL, I still love.

Wash, wash, wash, the Maytag way,
Dave
 
Got all the info.

It's a Maytag A806, series 2, serial #696280YS. Any info is much appreciated. The machine is running great by the way.

Thanks.
Liam
 
Just curious, does anyone know how much an A806 sold for new and what the equivalent cost would be today. It's built like a tank with a lot of high grade materials, seems like it would cost a fair bit to build.

Liam
 
In its day it was a very expensive washing machine.
Other than a 906, I can't think of another American made washer with as high a price-tag. Worth every penny and then some!
 
Price of the 806

In July 1975, My parents bought their third automatic and as my mom said,"finally a MAYTAG."

They paid $485.00 in 7/75 for the A606S one model lower than the A806S. My mom wanted the 806s but dad would not go for it as it was $510.00 The suds saver feature added about $25.00 to the base model.

As has been stated the 806 was around for a long time. Being series 2, your machine was produced during the 08 model production 1976-80.
 
"what other vintage machines did you see"

At the same shop, Westcoast Appliance they had a matched Maytag center dial set in white selling for $550 or there about. I don't think they had lighted controls though, but still very nice. Besides that they had a couple of the "newer" Maytags with the timer on the right. I think they had a few BD whirlpools, and lots of DDs from various years. The prices may seem high for used, but they are all rebuilt and covered for one year. This is a good store I highly recommend them.

Thanks for all the replies.
Liam
 

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