Avocado Montgomery Ward Washer NIB

[retropia]

This Craigslist ad is dated 8/4/13 and is still up at the moment. I did a search and don't believe this is a re-list.

The seller is asking $350 and is in New Hampshire. Here is the ad text:

Details:

Brand: Montgomery Ward (made by Norge)
Model: Signature 18
Color: Avocado Green
Description:

This is a brand new, in the box, Washer made by a company called Norge for Montgomery Ward. It is 18 LB Load capacity. It does have a small amount of corrosion (on the the control panel area - see pic) on it that could most likely be taken off with a nylon scrub pad. Have all the original manuals and parts that it came with. Not sure of the exact year but I believe it's from between the 1970 - 1972 timeframe. Thanks for looking!

http://nh.craigslist.org/app/3980402259.html

 

[retropia]

Console close-up

Signature 18

 

[retropia]

Inside of lid

"Washes 6 ounces to 18 pounds"

 

[retropia]

Box

Doesn't look too bad, from what can be seen in the photo.

 

[gansky1]

I found this washer behind Lowes once but it had been leaking oil in the tub and I ended up parting it out and dumping it. Such a pretty machine.

 

[alr2903]

Norge made some very attractive machines for Wards. I was never bored browsing Wards appliance dept. alr[this post was last edited: 8/21/2013-03:50]

 

[whirlcool]

How could this be NIB if it has been removed from the box? For some reason I have my doubt's about this washer being new. Look at the left hand side of the control panel. Looks like Spray N' Wash has hit it more than a few times. And they don't even mention the owners manual, etc.

 

[rp2813]

Norge Fans, Exhale!

You knew this was coming.

 

I kind of want to agree with Allen, but it does appear that the machine is still on its original shipping pallet, and the seller does state that it comes with all of its literature (unfortunately that won't include a repair manual).  It would be nice to have an explanation for the Spray 'n' Wash damage though.

 

Regardless, the panel on that Snorge is frighteningly similar to the one on my mom's machine that was delivered in December of 1967 which, after blowing through a transmission about a year (just out of warranty) later, launched a determined effort to auger its way to China.  It died trying, and not a moment too soon as the process was absolutely deafening.

 

I'd say the subject machine can't be newer than 1970.  The panel's black color is only a slight aesthetic improvement over the light brown ours had, but even at the age of 13 when the Snorge arrived, my first impression of the controls was cheap, cheap, cheap.  The knobs were the worst with those awful day-glow accented pointers.  People, there are so many infinitely more beautiful machines from this period that were made by more reliable manufacturers that I can't see anyone finding (S)Norges from this era being anything but the epitome of fugly.

 

I might also point out that this generously optioned machine probably could be had for less than the cost of a super stripped down, small capacity Maytag A106 at the time.   Of course, Maytag gets the last laugh.  There are A106's of this same vintage that are still processing laundry regularly and that continue to function well.  Even if this Snorge is NIB, it will fail sooner than one of those well-worked Maytags.  Or almost any other make, for that matter.

 

And beware of selecting the lowest fill setting.  It barely covers the fins and will shred whatever 6 oz. item you might care to feed it.

 

God help the masochist who goes after this machine.  I, along with the tile floor in the laundry room, have been scarred for life by such a beast.

 

[whirlcool]

Maybe they just used it while sitting on the pallet?

OTOH the Spray N' Wash damage could just be the panel delaminating from age too with no Spray N Wash involved. An onsite inspection would be required to verify the newness of this item.

Sorry, I sped read the ad and missed the part about the manuals being included.

 

[goatfarmer]

"IF" it is what it says it is....

Price doesn't seem outrageous.

 

I have a similar console saved from a Norge, but it says "her majesty" on  it.

 

[combo52]

NIB Wards 3Speed Her Majesty Washer

This machine may indeed be new, but someone needs to go and look at it, usually when one of these machines had been used much at all the CHEAP plastic knobs showed lots of wear as the fake chrome and red accents wore off pretty quickly.

 

[alr2903]

I doubt many would want it as a daily driver. As a collectible it is the trifecta. Defunct retailer, brand, and manufacturer. Vintage avocado and the box is almost deserving of a frame. I have to agree with Combo52, I would have to "see it first". arthur

 

[tolivac]

Guess for "Snorges",Norge its a love-hate relationship-some folks love them others hate them.The funky knobs do sort of make the rest of the machine look silly.I remember a Norge my Mom had when I was little-it had the big black bakelite agitator.Loved watching the thing.It was a "burpilator" that so amused me-and it had what looked like a polished metal lint dish.