Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII

[captainmoody]

Hi everyone, new guy here! Veg and Unimatic know me from Audiokarma, I collect vintage color televisions and am a Moderator over there.
Well.. It seems that the vintage appliance bug has bitten and I am on my way to making another crowded basement!
It started when I went to an estate sale by my home this weekend, it was there that I found this Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII. It's in excellent cosmetic condition with a bonus, it even works still! My question about it is approximately how old? I am guessing 1969-1970 as it looks like an April 1969 date code on the motor. I noticed the '67 model in the pictures was similar but had a slightly different styled area around the lamp. Also, when did they drop the RCA name? My machine just has the Whirlpool script.

 

[toggleswitch]

NICE CATCH!

uhm, paneling?

OH MY.

If I had to guess I would say the home where the estate sale was held had *paneling disease*

 

[gansky1]

Nice washer, Dwight! If you post the model and serial number from the tag on the back of the washer, we'll be able to date it down to the month it was made.

Togs - the paneling was applied at the factory! Check out the ad link from 68.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1968-Whirlpool-...7151651278QQcategoryZ1527QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[maytagbear]

Oh,

What.A.Beauty!

Great find, and welcome.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[captainmoody]

Well... If you need to know, yes! The whole basement was set up that way. Every wall had it!
Now if I could just find the matching dryer...

 

[toggleswitch]

Waht color is that? It looks less yellow than *almond*

Thanks for the tub shot.

Wow live and learn. Paneling!
Not sure if I feel comfortable with a dryer (heat source) with wooden accoutrements! Worse in my head if gas-heated!

 

[captainmoody]

Looks like I no longer have a data plate. I see rivets by the hose outlet, but that's all that is left. Dang!
Anywhere else I could look?

 

[gansky1]

D'oh! Those rivets is where the serial plate should be...

I think you're about right though - 1970'ish.

 

[chestermikeuk]

No RCA

Welcome to the club from this side of the pond, nice machine,

Does it have push buttons or a timeline, cant quite see from the pic, nice panelling as well, imagine it all around your laundry room.

What type of agitator is it??

Mike

 

[captainmoody]

Hi Mike!
The agitator says super surgilator.

 

[mixfinder]

It gets even better

The matching dryer has a feature that allowed you to swing the door sideways, like a Whirlpool or drop it down, like a Kenmore.
The door was framed in chrome to hold the wood accent and is heavier than the typical door.
The matching dryer and Imperials of the 70's also had a lever, on the console, that shifts the belt to a different pulley to speed up or slow down the belt driven functions for heavy or normal loads.
You were cautioned not to move the lever unless the dryer was running.

Kelly.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Togglepuss

Might it be Avocado?
Captain, it is a beauty; a great "first" vintage
washing machine.

 

[captainmoody]

Yes, it is Avocado in color. That dryer sounds pretty good with the convertible door and two speeds...
They replaced the original matching unit with an Avocado mid 80's Kenmore.
I left that one behind as someone else wanted it.

 

[veg-o-matic]

Oh Dwight, this is the beginning of the end! You think those consoles and combos take up a lot of room...?

Very cool machine. Never seen one like it. And I love the fact that Whirlpool designed the dryer door along the same lines as the tailgate on Ford station wagons.

Welcome! You'll love it here (be forewarned though, that it's a lot different than AK!) We actually have a few more AK retreads around--Chad Hauris, Cory H., Jason L....

veg

 

[goatfarmer]

WELCOME!

I "thunk" I had that same washer in storage.Close,but no banana.....

kennyGF

 

[jasonl]

I'm Speechless

.

 

[peteski50]

Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII

Love this model. Is it in working order?
Best of Luck!
Peter

 

[alr2903]

IN Gregs picture post....

The paneling treatment came off better on the washer. But it sure made the dryer unattractive. Now whens those frigidaires with the upper storage cabinets on that balcony gonna come up again. They are my favorite. alr2903

 

[appnut]

Welcome!!

Greg, that is one of my all-time favorite Whirlpool print ads. Granny taking in laundry and all the wonderful features of the Mark XII helped her waltz through so she could generate her income!!! I think I remember Jon LeFevre having the dryer when were were at the 2002 convention. But I don't remember if it was Avocado or White.

 

[hoover1060]

nice machine,

and I kinda like the paneling, its SO kitchy!!
A shag carpet front ould have been fun too!

 

[gansky1]

The machines from that ad were ones I drooled over for years, I wanted that set in the worst way. I had room for them in my bedroom, at the end of my bed. Santa sucks.

 

[drmitch]

Cool Captianmoody!

 

[captainmoody]

Hi Peter!
Yes, it still works great and looks pretty much all original too.
So you guys think it is a 1969 or 1970 model? Without the data plate, I am out of luck on knowing exactly right?
Funny, I actually ran a load of clothes through it at the sale! They were sitting by it so I said what the heck..
The owner must have been worried about the machine getting rusty in the basement or something, as it and the dryer were sitting on a wood platform 6" off the floor!
Seems odd as there were no signs of flooding or water down there.

 

[westytoploader]

Hi Dwight,

Glad to see the "bug" has bitten...there will only be more washers to be found! And what a machine to start a collection with, congratulations! That Whirlpool looks like it's in really nice shape and hasn't had much use. How does it look underneath? And does this one have a console light?

Love that awesome woodgrain front panel; I didn't realize this was ever an option, too cool! It will look great in a 70's paneled basement!

--Austin

 

[powerfin64]

Im thinking...

its about a 70-72, the panel style matches my 72, 3 speed dryer.
Beautiful machine! wish it was just a few years older, and it would be my dream machine.

Rich

 

[swestoyz]

Dwight - that is one heck of a cool find there, you will have sooo much fun with this machine. And that killer paneling - who would have thought? One heck of a way to get started - hope the bug doesn't hurt!

Austin - I think I spied a florescent blub starter on the top portion of the back panel. Great engineering there - so easy to change (or rattle)!

Ben

 

[fixerman]

Sometimes a date is stamped on the side of the transmission. I don't know if it would exactly match the washers actual manufacturing year or not.

 

[68imperial]

Whirlpool Imperial

Hi I just want to say that that is a great machine i have one similar in the copper color Tom

 

[tolivac]

WP Imperial

I have a WP IMP 90 something like the one shown in the first entry.--It doesn't have the paneled front.Mine is white.The agitator and metal agitator cap is the same-Its my favorite.Gets heavy use at my place-got it from the Swap shop in Ayden,NC.check with them on old washers-sometimes they get an oldie.Most of the time its the DD WP and KN.also GE.The big problem here is getting the flourescent bulbs for the control panel.None of the lighting or electrical suppliers here have the bulbs.Probably should replace the starter as well-sometimes when the bulb goes it goes too.

 

[imperial70]

What makes the cool sounds on a whirlpool washer. Is it the tranny or the motor or something else. I wish I could create that sound. Very relaxing....