My $16 acquisition

[westingman123]

So, the estate sale gods smiled upon me this weekend. Here's my new Norge conventional.

Almost mint, and the SPLASH action is unreal. As soon as I figure out how to post video, I'll share.

 

[qsd-dan]

$16 is a STEAL for that machine. We need a money shot :>)

 

[tomturbomatic]

Nice find!

Where's the drain hose? I can remember when one would be on the floor in the appliance department at Rich's.

 

[westingman123]

As you requested

Please forgive the cell phone picture. There's a small rust spot in the tub, but it is already shrinking.

Tom, the drain hose clips on the wringer post. Nothing fancy, just plain old Norge practicality.

 

[swestoyz]

Nice lookin' save there Keith!

 

Ben

 

[mickeyd]

What a total steal, Keith! WOW

So sorry I didn't know the name in your email.. It was your vacuum club name, and I didn't recognize it, but now I do. It was YOU, KEITH WESTINGMAN, who sent the email. See how palsy the brain gets at 60--mine! LOL.

It's so beautiful and looks brand new. Look at the tub the skirt, the 3 vane agitator, so RARE. Maybe one summer we could trade the 4 vane paddle and the 3 vane back and forth. The three vane conventional is really amazing looking and I've never seen it in action. Look at how high up the fins go and how deep the arch. This may be the first Norge 3 vane conv. agi we've seen.

"Almost mint, and the SPLASH action is unreal." Can't wait to see it, and I'd say total mint. If only we could get the story on this half century old newborn. We'll have to make one up, LOL.

 

[westingman123]

Part of the story...

This rather dropped into my lap. I live in a pre-war suburb of St. Louis county, and most of my neighbors are aging out of their homes, either by death or illness. This particular machine was about 4 blocks from me, in a lovely little story-and-a-half brick.

I didn't see any automatic machines AT ALL, but there was a minty GE portable dishwasher that another member had already snagged. The son of the owner was there, and told me his mother never used anything but wringers. There was a Maytag (E2L, I think) and a lovely Kenmore mangle. Sadly, I have no room for the mangle, as I have my Mama's Ironrite.

You could tell the house was immaculate before the owner became ill. When I run across minty things like this, things that someone loved and cared for, it makes me feel like a curator. I did my week's laundry in the Norge on Monday and had it not been rainy, it would have been a PERFECT wash day. I like to think somewhere that lady smiled.

 

[oldskool]

Super find!

Congratulations on such a find and at a bargain price. Your passion and respect for machines and their former owners is the icing on the cake. Happy for you.

As a person who grew up in St. Louis, especially I find your perspective and thoughts very interesting. About a month ago I came thru St. Louis and got a Visimatic that too had a great history from an individual near Westport, and got a Kenmore 70 Series W & D set, I think late 60s from an estate in St. Charles. When I get a chance, I plan to post some pics. Lots of good finds in/near St. Louis. My home growing up was near Normandy Drive and St. Charles Rock Road.

 

[mickeyd]

WONDERFUL

I get such joy on hearing the washer history stories. Thanks, Keith. I'm sure that lady smiled, too! How cool that you did the whole week's wash on Monday following the ancient custom. Brought a smile thinking of the "Wash Day Cake," from Matt's post in the Chiffon Cake Thread.

John Oldschool: If you haven't told your Visimatic story, please do. Thank you.

 

[wetguymd]

WOW!

Congrats Keith.. what a beauty! Can't wait to see the video of it in action!! Love a good splasher!!

 

[norgeway]

Good Grief!!!

I would have bought that one for four times that!!! That is a REAL wringer washer!!

 

[mickeyd]

"Part of the story..."

Is there more?

Tap....tap....tap....

Feed the hungry wringer. ;'D

 

[mickeyd]

About that temporary exchange.

It would be an equal and even trade, since both our tators are mint. How I'd love to see the 3 vane go. But the days we'd go agitatorless while waiting for the mail would be dreadful LOL.

 

[westingman123]

Well, sure!

I could make do with the Speed Queen or Maytags while the agitators crossed in the mail. *grin*

As for the rest of the story (what radio announcer used to do those?)...I don't know. I'd like to find out more, but they've not been working at the house--and I've been stalking--the mangle is calling out for me to find it a home.

I can't bear the idea of it becoming a damn Kia.

 

[oldskool]

Of course it was....

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">"As for the rest of the story (what radio announcer used to do those?"  none other than Paul Harvey</span>

 

[bradross]

Love that bakelite agitator!

Will anticipate seeing this beauty in action! What a bargain.