'56 Norge cleaned up and working!

[captainmoody]

I decided to get busy on the Norge yesterday, and get it going. When tested, all the motor would do was hum when the timer was in agitate or spin mode. To repair this, I had to disassemble the motor and repair the centrifugal switch assembly inside. (Lucky for me, the windings weren't toast!)
Once that was done, and all the paint spots, grime, and yecch was cleaned off the cabinet and tub, it actually worked!
All I could do was a quick test, as the drain hose I used was too big for the pump, and the rig with electrical tape to make up the difference was leaking!
There is some (but not a lot) of old tranny oil residue on the pulley and the sides of the machine indicating it does leak, but none dripped out when using it for now.
It is a nice running machine, and I especially like the solenoid "clunk" at the spin cycle!

 

[captainmoody]

Pic of tub

 

[lesto]

This must be a slightly different model than Robert's. It has a darker control panel than the gold one on his and this has a grey tub instead of white. Are those the only differences?

 

[captainmoody]

As far as I can see, yes. I am thinking it is a 1956 model. At least the date on the solenoid, that is! I didn't look for any other date codes on the timer or motor yet.
Maybe the tub was changed at some point in time?

 

[captainmoody]

After looking at Robert's Norge, I notice it's a "Luxury Line" model. Maybe mine is more BOL. (Although it still has the lit console).

 

[golittlesport]

Nice....she cleaned up very well. Those are fun machines and do a great job.

 

[gyrafoam]

That is a great looking machine! Great action.
There were plenty of 'em around Atlanta back in the day.
Congratulations!

 

[retromom]

The Norge is looking good!

She cleaned up real pretty! I love the casters; take it anywhere! LOL

How about some pics of the burpolator action!

Glad you took the plunge to start working on it! Enjoy your great washer!

 

[danemodsandy]

Atlanta Norges

Gyrafoam:

Yeah, I remember Norges all over the place back in the day. Any idea who was selling them? I recall Rich's being a GE store, and Davison's being Frigidaire. That leaves furniture and appliance stores.

 

[southernmdgeguy]

Can we get a close up of the lighted controls

I like how "dashboard" they look.
Nice job getting it working again.

 

[mayken4now]

Wow great adventures! Very cool machine.

Steve

 

[captainmoody]

I'll try to get a pic of the console lit within the next day or two.
I have all my vintage washers sitting on furniture dollies, so they can be moved easily around the basement.
When I want to use one, I just roll it over to the laundry area, take it off the dolly, hook it up and use!

 

[christfr]

lookin good looks like a fun machine..bet she is fun to play with too

 

[gyrafoam]

Danemodsandy-----

I don't know who was selling them----perhaps Tom will remember.

I remember 'Noge laundry appliances as well as refrigerators,etc. were popular in and around Atlanta back in the 1950's------I remember less of them in the 1960's so don't know what changed, but evidently they were not marketed as strongly as in the fifties.

I am thinking that perhaps there were some large appliance stores that sold and repaired them.There were also some huge automotive stores such as those Firestone and Goodyear stores----I remember the old "Gordy Tire" store sold appliances, but don't remember what brands. I only remember Maytag being sold at the little store on the "square" in Buckhead,don't remember what Huff's sold, and Castleberry's was a large store---but I think they only specialized in GE/'Hotpernt.

I used to enjoy a visit to Sharpe's Appliances in "Little Five Points" back in the day. A small store with a HUGE Frigidaire business. I was so interested in their Frigidaire stuff, I don't remember what else they sold!
Then there was Tippen's closer to "East Atlanta" they did a HUGE business back in the day also. Frank Hudson's in Decatur (also a HUGE Frigidaire store) sold other stuff----KitchenAid, etc.

 

[lightedcontrols]

WOA!!!!

Now THAT is a beautiful machine! C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !!!

 

[jetcone]

Nice Norgeanator!

Was this the model that advertised the whole livingroom rug could be washed and it would spin???

That was a crazy ad!

jet

 

[swestoyz]

Okay - now that is one COOL machine there! This is a very exciting moment for you - congrats!!!!!

Ben

 

[danemodsandy]

Gyrafoam:

Lord, that brings back some memories!

Gordy Tire ("If you can't see your tread- See Gordy!")- are they even still around? Tippen Furniture is still there. And Castleberry's too, though the place doesn't look anything like it useter. I know someone in Chamblee who still has her GE Liberator and Drexel dining room furniture bought new from Castleberry's back around '57.

If anyone knows what stores sold Norge here in Atlanta, I'd be interested to hear about it. As has been noted, Norge petered out here in the 1960s. The last Norges I remember were a coppertone reefer and stove that my aunt owned in, oh, about 1968. They were a gift from her in-laws, so I have no idea who the selling dealer was.

 

[rickr]

Great machine Dwight! Love this model so much. Thanks for the pixs, and can't wait to see the lighted panel!

Wish my Norges were in better condition.... :<