Found a 1974 Ward's Signature Washer/Dryer set in Avocado!

[appnut]

Doug, congratulations on another amazing find!! I think these were possibly next to TOL since there's not an extra rinse option, but I could be wrong. If possible, I'd love to see close-ups of the panels so they're legible, the timer dials, and then the cycle chart under the lid. Do these have illuminated panels--fluorescent lights?

 

[cfz2882]

man,what awesome machines!Parents bought same design MW dryer in 1980-lasted 18yrs until motor seized:1/2 hp motor in the dryer(twice hp as other dryers of the era)was heavily loaded and would overheat and trip off if not cleaned of lint buildup about once a year.1980 version had ball-bearing fan hub,but a ~1974 might still have sleeve bearing fan hub that may need lubed.Only mechanical weakness of these washers that comes to mind is the pump-they are quite prone to debris in drain water stripping fins off the turbine pump impeller.1n 1979,got to experience a Laundromat full of Norges-what an awesome din these machines created

 

[washerlover]

Burp-O-Lator Pan

My grandmother’s ‘62 Wards Signature (Norge made) washer had the burp up agitator/filter pan...I do not know the history of Montgomery Wards’ washing manufacturers other than Norge and Westinghouse, I believe. Someone please chime in if I am mistaken...

 

[mrsalvo]

Congratulations! Amazing find. Anyone would be proud to have this set. One of my absolute favorite sets. That washer was no nonsense and did a fabulous job on any article of clothing. The dryer...was there any larger capacity available?!! We had both the washer and dryer and to this day remains the benchmark in my book. And in avocado to boot!
Please post videos, but all means!

Barry

 

[norgeway]

Secret to making them LAST!

Let the washer stop spinning before raising the lid, that brake Will stop the tub, but its not really a good idea, that is the best washer for really nasty clothes ever devised, and the dryer has the biggest drum of any,thus it wrinkles clothes much less than any dryer ever made, the positive airflo dries faster too, overall the finest laundry equipment ever built, this washer will outwash anything ever built, and a bigger load too, these agitate almost twice as fast as Maytags do.

 

[delturner]

Yep, these washers really beat the heck out of the clothes. Things did come out clean and they spun the water out better than most too. They were noisy though and did a lot of clanging when spinning. The dryers were real linters as far as linting up the room they were in. Instead of like most dryers that sucked the air through the drum and out the exaust, they blew the air thru and the door seals were not that great and let a lot of air blow around the seal into the room with lint. The dryers were big in capacity, but not any bigger than the biggest Whirlpool made dryers. The dryers didn't stand up too well in service either. Norge made decent machines, but there were better choices back then.

 

[rp2813]

Delturner, you are too kind!

 

[toploadloyalist]

Would like to see a closeup of the consoles and washer lid instructions.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

For us fans of Wards, '70's and Avocado!

Yes, show us more...

-- Dave

 

[yogitunes]

never thought about it much...

but then was informed by a few guys who bought them, did so because it was the only one that had a 1 HP motor....

they wanted something that would handle heavy work clothes....and a good size capacity for its time....

probably accounted for the machine being loud....

 

[gansky1]

Really beautiful set, congrats on the rare find. No visible effects of damp or humidity on the aluminum panels, lid, etc. is telling of an easy life and a dry laundry room. Norge/MW machines were hit and miss, either they ran forever or were gone in less than 10.

Norge did make a robust and effective washer that sounded like a hay baler when running. I had one in the garage for a while and in the summer with the door open, saw a couple of startled dog-walkers when the brake solenoid snapped. We live in a smallish valley, so the sound would echo around the neighborhood, sharing that Norgey goodness.

I had a '68 MW set, found behind Lowes, and used it for a short while in the basement. The washer started spewing oil into the water and the dryer was, as Tom so aptly described, slowly "flocking" the whole room like a Christmas tree, so I returned them to the scrap pile.

 

[eurekastar]

With people talking about the dryers blowing lint everywhere, it reminds me of the dryer we had when I was a kid.  It would do the same thing.  I don't remember the brand, but my parents bought a lot of stuff at Montgomery Ward.  Maybe it was a MW dryer. 

 

[jetcone]

Those are beautiful

what a great find on a rare bird enjoy !

 

[dishwasherfan]

What a find.

The washer/drier & the buick where well cared for, what an incredible discovery.

 

[polkanut]

Would MW washers of this vintage come with a suds-saver option?