These machines were sold here in Aus badged as a Norge. When Maytag took over control of Hoover Aus, the Hoover branded machines were drastically cheapened, and the more expensive end of the market was covered by US import Admiral and Norge washers, with Maytag as TOL. The Norges proved to be junk in my opinion - I remember one lady who had one, paid a fortune for it as she had no end of children and need a reliable machine, it shredded clothes, got off balance constantly and was unbelievably loud when washing, as the puny rubber motor mounts all wore through after a few months so it was all metal-to-metal vibration. When it was only three or four years old it seized up completely and was junked. I see them at the recyclers occasionally, always looking completely clapped out.
I'd run a mile.
Chris.