Woohoo! Got my first set!!!!

[rp2813]

A couple of things

1) It isn't much of a stretch at all to view these machines as possibly being replicas of what could have been in that laundry room originally in 1966, or very shortly thereafter.  You lucked out with Maytag since they didn't make major changes to their consoles until +/- 1980.

 

2) When you tend to the belt, be advised that it's a very loose fit.  You may think something needs to be tightened, but that's how they're designed to fit.

 

[danemodsandy]

1966 Was The Year:

This Maytag series was introduced, so it's particularly appropriate to your house.

Below is a photo of an 806 set from around 1968; it's identical in appearance to the first, 1966 "New Generation" Maytags, with the exception of a Permanent Press cycle instead of Wash 'n Wear. This first version was a little different from yours in that there were only three water levels and the button layout was a bit different.

 

[DigAPony]

Son of a b***h!

I saw that listing late last night, called the seller around 11 a.m. this morn and was told I was an hour too late, someone already put a deposit on them, (deposit on a $30 deal??). A little surprised they went in less than 24 hrs.

Anyway, glad they went to a good home.

(No not really, I wanted them dammit, they looked extra nice!)

 

[danemodsandy]

Here's Your Machine:

In a 1970 brochure shot; it's the shaded Harvest Gold machine at right. Note the penciled-in price: $409.95. In 1970, you could buy a respectable used economy car for that.

At left is the ne plus ultra, the all-pushbutton A906 in shaded Avocado. Each button started a completely pre-programmed cycle, totally automated from start to finish. The drawback was that you could not adjust anything; the machine's water levels, agitation speed and rinse temperature were pre-set for each cycle. Your A806 allows every one of those things, and more, to be custom-tailored for your needs.

 

[supersuds]

Don't know anything about the washer/dryer, but I love the house!

 

[frontaloadotmy]

I don't think I see this mentioned

in any of the replies; when you get them home the two letters of the serial number of each machine will indicate the month and year of manufacture.

Very nice looking midcent home you have!

 

[kowidge]

Going to get them tomorrow

Kinda fitting that my work truck is also a 1970 F-250, so I'm making the two hour drive to get them tomorrow morning to pick them up. I'm grateful for all the help you all gave me. The parts (thanks for the part numbers) were pretty easy to find on several websites.

To DigAPony from NJ, I'm sorry you didn't call in time, I've dealt with that a lot lately and I definitely know how it feels to miss out. Its stinks. Sorry about that.

 

[DigAPony]

To DigAPony from NJ, I'm sorry

I was just kidding around..

At first I thought either a scrapper got them and they were going to be recycled into beer cans, or hopefully a collector, glad it was the latter.

Be careful moving the washer, they are heavy, don't want see that take a tumble.

 

[swestoyz]

Tony -

 

Glad to hear the PN's were useful.  As you can tell, several of us are passionate about this particular washer.  It's a good one!

 

Keep us posted if you have any questions. 

 

BTW - nice lookin' '69 Cat in your avatar!  Does it have a 400 in it?

 

Ben

 

[kowidge]

Cat in the avatar

I see another Pontiac enthusiast is here too. Yes that was my 69 Catalina wagon. I had it as my daily driver for 5 years after I bought it from the original owners unrestored, and put on another 40k miles. The body was starting to go, so I sold it two years ago to a wagon lover so he could bring it back to life because I didn't have the money then and didn't have the heart to see it get worse. It had the 400 with a 2 bbl Rochester and never gave me a single problem (that wasn't over-come-able that is). Loved that car.

My daily driver is now a gold tone 72 Vista Cruiser.

 

[retropia]

Nice wagon! There is a forum for station wagon fans, also, if you haven't already discovered it.

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/index.php

 

[swestoyz]

If this thread is going to drift....

Nice wagon Tony.  I'm impressed you put 40k on that beast.  Did it have power brakes?  Drums all around?  Scary!

 

I grew up in an Buick/Olds/Pontiac household, with Dad racing Buicks and Pontiacs.  Nothing like (non-Bowtie) GM products! 

 

Ben

 

[DigAPony]

My daily driver is now a gold tone 72 Vista Cruiser.

Hmmm, I wonder if you can fit a washer/dryer in one of those?

By the way, some tips for transporting the washer: Tape down the lid, I often forget myself and cringe when it slams into the control panel.

Place the washer on it's back when moving with a hand truck or laying it down, not the side. Use straps and moving blankets or tarps to protect from damage in transit.

 

[kowidge]

Place the washer on it's back?

So I thought I had to transport them upright? I can lay them on their backs? I can then take my wife's car which gets considerably better gas mileage, a Chevy HHR. If so, I could put the washer in the back and the dryer on the roof (roof rack). I have lots of moving blankets and heavy duty cargo straps.

Yes, I put 40k on the Catalina, plus a couple of long distance trips to Vermont and Ohio. It ran like a champ, and was smooth at any spped. It had power disc in the front, drum in the back. Got 12mpg in the city and 18-22 on the hwg (depending on hills and whether or not the a/c was on and how speed happy I was). The Vista Cruiser is nice, but its not as problem free as the Catalina was, and not very smooth on the interstate. Its got a 350 rocket, 2bbl Rochester, and the third row seat.

 

[bwoods]

Good find

Very nice washer and dryer set, Tony.

Wow. That house! Beautiful, I love it. Some of my favorite home architecture is that contempory style from the early sixties through late sixies. Very nice.

It almost has a feel of Frank Lloyd Wright with the squared construction and strong veritcal lines. Hope you enjoy it. Congratulations!

BTW: Thank you for serving our country as a member of our Armed Forces.

Barry

 

[swestoyz]

Transporting Maytags - It won't hurt either the washer or the dryer to move them on their sides.  I find it much easier than the back due to the hoses/ducting being in the way.  I've moved dozens and dozens of Maytags this way in several Tahoes and Suburbans and I've never had an issue.

 

Catalina - I'm impressed with the mileage!  Folks usually balk at 2bbl carbs, but most don't realize that 80 percent of daily driving only requires the primary side of a 4bbl anyway.  Bonus on the front discs.  What a difference they make!

 

A shame to hear the Olds hasn't been as enjoyable as the Catalina.  Hopefully you're able to work the bugs out of it. 

 

Ben

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice Cat!  I also have a Pontiac, along with some Maytags....

 

[rp2813]

The Vista Cruiser parked on your driveway is the icing on the cake for an entirely period suburban look!  You're living the dream there, buddy!

 

And allow me to add my thanks in addition to Barry's for your service to our country.

 

[maytaga806]

This car right here is boss

 

[danemodsandy]

Roof Rack Caution

Hi -

If you're going to move the dryer on a roof rack, you should know that the dryer door uses a lift-off hinge. Just lift the door off by opening it and lifting upward on it, and stash it inside the vehicle so that it won't blow off. Installation is the reverse of removal.

I'm a worry-wart, so I'd also remove the selector knob and the lint filter, but that's just me.

But the door has the potential to blow away, so do secure that.