Who said match sets are hard to find?

[combo52]

1968 Kenmore 800 Washer

WOW Will that washer looks to be in pretty good condition, AND you didn't tell me it is a Suds-Saver model, it appears to be very original, which is almost always a good thing, so it was diffidently a lightly used washer.

 

The machine still has the original SC lint filter, water pump and a Delco motor and appears to be otherwise completely unmolested.

 

Interestingly Sandy my Grandmothers first and only automatic washer was also this exact machine, WO SS, and I agree I would diffidently trade this washer for any MT DC ever built if I was actually going to wash my laundry in it.

 

[danemodsandy]

John:

My grandmother's was also minus the Suds-Saver feature, which puzzled me when I thought about it in later years - she was a lady with a great deal of respect for a dollar.

I finally figured it out. Prior to saving her dressmaking money (she was the best damn custom seamstress in East Point, GA, in an era when that title really meant something) up for the 800 pair, she'd been doing laundry for years with two wringer washers and a clothesline. Over the years, I helped her with laundry as much as she'd permit (which was not much), and I witnessed a lot of hassle, like laundry getting resoiled by soot or nearby construction or getting blown off the clothesline.

What I finally realized she had wanted with the 800s was to push a button and not do another damned thing. She had definitely earned that right. Her entire approach to laundry changed once the 800s were in place - she'd been sticking to the "old ways," with Clorox and bluing and Faultless starch that had to be dissolved.

After the 800s, she started using spray starch, Miracle White, all kinds of new products. The quality of her results did not suffer one whit; she was as adept with the new ways as she'd been with the old ones.

 

[classiccaprice]

Thanks fellas.  John, how do you decode the dates on the Kenmores?  I'm just curious how close this was made to the dryer?  I've attached a link to the thread that I posted when I got the dryer.  I know the Maytags are two months apart.  I'm not sure on the Westinghouses.  Does anyone know how to decode them?

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?47583

 

[combo52]

1968 Kenmore 800 Washer

Will the washer is a little older being made the 28th week of 1968 in the Clyde Ohio factory and the dryer was made the 43rd week of 1968 in the Marion Ohio factory. Whirlpool is still running both these factories full time and they are probably the two biggest factories in the world making washers and clothes dryers.

 

[70series]

Congratulations on finding these sets. The Kenmore washer looks like it has seen light use. It's great that it has the original parts still intact. Hopefully they all will work okay.

Have a good one,
James

 

[mitch]

Nice!

Those look great!!

 

[turquoisedude]

The Kenmore looks wonderful!! I think you'll enjoy having the bleach and fabric softener dispensers - it's a real luxury to not have to remember to add them manually.

 

[appnut]

you'll enjoy having the bleach and fabric softener dispe

I believe the Maytag 702 has agitator in-post dispenser cup for fs and there's also the famous Maytag bleach dispenser which gradually adds the bleach once agitation begins. 

 

[carmine]

I'm glad that Kenmore could go to someone that wanted it. (I am the former owner) Someday when I move into a "keeper" house rather than the latest investment, I'll build a 1st floor laundry with matched vintage appliances. In the meantime, my matched Calypso set is still getting the job done.

I am rather surprised no one has noticed the Zenith porthole, or RCA CTC-10 visable in the background... Or what is in the garage? Here are some other vintage things that shared the truck bed on the ride down from Detroit...

 

[combo52]

Maytag Timed ? [ slightly delayed ] Bleach Dispensers

While this dispenser did a good job of diluting the LCB and not releasing it till the agitation began, it is ALL in the wash water within one minute after agitation begins which is faster than this washer can even get a full load turned over once LOL,

 

The KMs LCB dispenser keeps all the LCB away from the clothing till the timer reaches the four minute mark in the wash cycle, this approach is much better for allowing the detergent to do its intended job and protects the clothing and even prolongs many parts of the washer that come in contact with the wash water.

 

[appnut]

our 1964 Norge Dispensomat

John, our Norge also held bleach until the 4 minute mark.  I knew Kenmore's did too.  I just expected all machines with dispensers did the same thing.  What do you expect from a 9 to 10 year old kid with limited appliance exposure at that point in time.

 

[danemodsandy]

Carmine:

I am so glad that beauty found a home! I have been sighing over it since you posted it a while back, but time/transport/space constraints made it pretty much a pipe dream. As I mentioned upthread, my Aunt Margie still has my grandmother's 800 dryer, and I've always wanted to make the set complete again - only Kenmore dream I have these days.

Glad it's with someone who appreciates it!

 

[classiccaprice]

I'm missing one of the rear self leveling feet for the Kenmore Washer.  Does anyone have a spare?

 

[classiccaprice]

Be it ever so humble...

There is no place like home...  The Maytags are jealous, but they will be going back to Dave next trip to Cincinnati (or when he comes here) and the loan will be returned.  Thanks Dave!

 

[classiccaprice]

America's favorite Irish twins...

One of these days I want a laundry room where the washer can be next to the dryer.  Perhaps one day.  Thanks to Dave for the parts to get the Kenmore dryer up and running.

 

Looking closely at the twins, I noticed a couple of differences.  While they were both made in Mansfield, Ohio, the font on/design of the two model tags are different.  Also, the base plate is constructed differently and the glass in the door is different in each machine.  On the clothes dryer the glass is rounded and on the laundromat it is pointed.  Otherwise there appears to be no difference.  I think the dryer is a '53 model and the washer a '54... based on these small differences and from what I can tell from old ads.

[this post was last edited: 8/16/2013-20:57]