Abandoned Norge Questions

[thatwasherguy]

Hi there! I was on my Aunt’s farm today and finally got a chance to get a close-up look at a vintage refrigerator that has been abandoned in the woods for at least 10 years. I’d wondered what brand it was, turns out it’s an old Norge! This is the first time I’ve seen anything Norge in person before. It makes me sad to see it like this, but I had some questions regarding it. Unfortunately, I do not have a model number. What time frame would this be from? (I’m guessing 1950’s). How much would it have cost new? Would this be a Borge Warner or a Maytag built Norge? (Guessing BW). Does anyone on here have one like it? What model might it be, and would it have been high or low end in it’s day?
Thanks,
Thatwasherguy.

 

[goatfarmer]

Looks mid 50's.

 

[cfz2882]

i think mid-50s too.

R.I.P. "Norge" letters is the only thing salvagable

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Being a 1-door fridge, it wouldn't have been a high end model.

 

[thatwasherguy]

Goatfarmer

That’s what I was thinking too. However, these single-door refrigerators have been known to throw me off in the past.

Cfz2882

That’s exactly what I was thinking! Unfortunately, it’s not on my aunt’s property, so I’ll have to get permission from the owner to take what I want, which is the letters, the handle, and the cold control. I can’t imagine they’ll say no, as they’re clearly not doing anything with it.

Kenwashermonday

That’s what I was thinking too. Although, I wasn’t sure if it was 40’s or 50’s.

I think I’ve figured out what this refrigerator would have looked like in better condition. (The one I saw in the woods looks worse than most of what I saw from the photos of the Aberdeen appliance graveyard). I’ve included a picture of it.

Thanks,
Thatwasherguy.

 

[turbokinetic]

Norge put out to pasture...

That's sad, but a little artistic at the same time. Looks like it could donate its emblem and handle to keep another Norge alive though.

Sadly, its Hermetic Rollator compressor is gone, with only a cut off capillary tube swinging in the breeze, to indicate anything had been there. 

 

[thatwasherguy]

I agree. It breaks my heart to see it like this. I’m thinking I’ll get my aunt to ask her neighbor if I can have the cold control, emblem, and handle to keep someone else’s Norge going. I may even attempt to roll it over and get a look at the coils. Next time I’m out there, I’ll try to find the model and serial number. If no one has bothered to drag it out of the forest in the past 15 years, I doubt anyone will drag it out of there before I’m back there next time. Hopefully, next time I’m there I can spend more time there and get some better pictures.
Thatwasherguy.

 

[turbokinetic]

Thanks...

....for saving any parts you can. As you know; there aren't any more new ones being made! 

If I'm not mistaken, it would have had the condenser coil mounted underneath the compressor. 

 

[thatwasherguy]

No problem! No sense in letting what few good parts there are go to waste. I would imagine that none of those parts are cheap or easy to find. In regards to the coil, you’re probably right. Norge is one of the brands I know the least about.
Thanks,
Thatwasherguy.

 

[turbokinetic]

Norge unit....

I don't have a picture of an actual complete Norge with this compressor in place, but there is this picture of the compressor, with condenser mounted behind it. This would have been under the cabinet with the rear opening filled up by the condenser coil.

 

 

 

[rinso]

If one thinks long-term, this rust bucket is actually recycling itself back into the earth.

 

[thatwasherguy]

Turbokinetic

That makes perfect sense for the condenser position, as the bottom of the refrigerator compartment slopes up at the back. The size of the opening looks perfect for that coil. I’d like to find one of these in better condition, as I love it’s styling.

Rinso

I’d never really thought about it, but you’re exactly right. It gets closer to returning to nature with each passing day.

Thatwasherguy.

 

[thatwasherguy]

1 year later...

And I’ve begun parting it out. So far, I have the cold control’s dial, the emblem, the chrome trim, and the handle. It’s incredible how well the chrome survived 20+ years outside. My aunt bought the property in 2003, and she said it was there the whole time she has lived there, so the fridge has been there at least since then. I guess it’s just a testimony to how well Norge did their chrome plating. The Evaporator, cold control mechanism, and the spring-loaded hinges for the freezer door are all still intact as well, but I was unable to remove them due to rusty screws. (I’ll go back for them at a later date.). Everything else is just too far gone to save. The plastic door liner was shattered, as was the freezer door. (I saved a small piece of it for the Norge logo.). The door to the fridge is so badly rusted that it flexes when you push on it, and almost an entire side of the fridge is missing (rusted out). That said, the inner liner *might* still be intact. If anyone wants it, let me know.
Thanks,
Thatwasherguy.

 

[turbokinetic]

Thanks for doing your best to save whatever you can on this.