POD - 8/15/2016 - Norge VHQ washer

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Very nice looking machine.  What year would it have been, mid-late 60's?

 

I wonder exactly what Norge did to make it "Very High Quality" other than putting lots of buttons, a fancy timer/cycle display and "VHQ" on it?   I'll bet under the cabinet it's exactly the same as lesser models (with the exception of any dispenser reservoirs).

 

Was it just marketing?  

[this post was last edited: 8/15/2016-13:31]

 

[philr]

<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I guess John LeFever could tell! He has a set of these.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 14pt;">This Norge VHQ set would be on the top of my Norge wish list.</span> 

If I had one!

;-)

 

[brucelucenta]

If I am not mistaken, would have been mid sixties. It appears to be one of the first few years with the black bakelite agitator.

 

[frigilux]

Family friends had one of these. It was a rare sight, as no one carried Norge in our little town of 1,900. I remember the VHQ on the dial and the cycle buttons; the console seemed impressively tall. If I recall correctly, the cycle dial was set using a remote control rather than turning the dial itself, as in the upper end '66 Frigidaires.

Didn't ever get a chance to see/hear it operate.

 

[moparwash]

VHQ in pics

Here is the link to the thread from 2013 for Combo's Norge VHQ set

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?45366

 

[appnut]

this was like 1966or spring 1967-2 years or so after we got our 1964 Norge15.  I already hated ours because the cycles weren't "programmed" like a Lady Kenmore---when was the "standard" as far as I was concerned of how to do laundry.  The Norge's wasn'n'wear durable (the only cycle) had a hot wash.  I remember walking into Foley's appliance department and seeing these new Norges and my heart sank when I saw how the cycles were programmed, just like I wanted. 

[this post was last edited: 8/15/2016-20:54]

 

[brucelucenta]

Wow, I have always been just the opposite. Always hated the pre programed cycles and like the flexibility of being able to set the temp and speed controls independently of the cycle I was using. In fact, the only thing I don't like about my LG made front loader is that I cannot set the higher water level independently for the cycle I normally use. I have to use the "Bedding/Bulky" cycle to get that and it doesn't let me use the extra high spin speed.

 

[appnut]

I would rather have the independent knobs for settings.  Neighbor across the street had a Monkey Wards version a model or two below that had 4 position speed and 5 water temps.  It only had 3 water levels though.  Aside from that and no dispensers, I viewed it as the perfect machine.  But LK was closest. 

 

[gansky1]

When Robert found that nearly-mint Montgomery Ward set this last Spring, he brought me the "old" Wards Signature washer of the same vintage he'd had for some time. It's a terrific washer, used it last night for a huge load of towels. Five water temp and five speed selections, very flexible.

I have the 1966 issue of CR so I looked up the stats for the Norge and Wards washers. While CR rated GE their top pick, the Wards came in #5 of the Recommended machines. Above average in washing ability, best extraction of all machines tested (they didn't have a RapidDry Frigidaire) but did mention it was noisy. This washer topped the charts at 53 gallons of water used for a Normal cycle. The Norge they tested was a solid tub, so not similar in ratings.

 

[Unimatic1140]

I love my '65 Wards set, and the dryer is really nice as well. I do wish there was a cold water setting to make the cycles a bit more flexable as slow speed agitation and high spin is my favorite to use for colors on this machine.

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?65717

 

[paulg]

Remind me...

When we get together soon, remind me to tell you my Norge VHQ story...
Well, actually there are two...

My laundry room and "Queen for a day" should jog my memory should I forget.