Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII

[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....

 

[mayken4now]

Wonderful find and I second Westytoploader.

Steve

 

[jasonl]

Avocado and wood paneling on a belt drive whirlpool. Does it get any better?

Awesome machine.

What makes the "grind click clunk" when it starts spinning is the spin solenoid/wigwag device. That musical WOOWOOWOOOWOO that you hear is actually the sound of thousands of angels singing in harmony. Actually what makes that noise is a mystery.

 

[toggleswitch]

It's all about the wig-wag.

Love the sound! I used to open and close the lid just to hear the solenoid engage and disengage the spinning tub!

 

[jasonl]

Me too

I used to push the lid switch with my finger and if you timed it just right, you'd get a good "GRRRRRRRRRRRRRIND-click-clunk"

 

[agiflow]

Those base fins on this particular surgilator look HUGE. Can only imagine what kind of of turnover this agi. gives. KEEP THAT LID CLOSED! LOL. A true classic.

 

[captainmoody]

I enjoy those sounds when the whirlpool is running also! My other reason for getting it was the build quality back then.
It has the tougher motor and the end frames are not welded to the stator like the newer ones. I like machines that can have individual assemblies rebuilt, not thrown away and replaced.
My next big must have is a Frigidaire top loader from the GM ownership era.

 

[wash&where?]

LOOKS LIKE CAPTAINMOODY WOULD BE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THE PINK FRIGIDAIRE SET IN MINNESOTA.

 

[captainmoody]

Well, after spending $16.29 for a replacement bulb I got the Whirlpool lit up again!
When the guy brought up the box he blew dust off it! Guess they don't sell many bulbs for those units...
After checking date codes on the timer, motor and other items, it looks like nothing is newer than May 1969. That was exactly the year I was looking for on this one, so it worked out pretty well.
Now the search is on for a nice 60's Frigidaire...

 

[DADoES]

Yay!