Sir, we've been...jammed!
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redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
PTSD?
As in Post Traumatic Signature Disorder?
RCD
As in Post Traumatic Signature Disorder?
RCD
arbilab
Well-known member
My first 'real' job was TV repairman for Montgomery Ward at their 7th Street store in Fort Worth, maybe 5 miles from where I sit now. We/they took products and customers seriously. Whatever the absolute value of what they sold in 1966, try to find that 'serious' commitment in retailing today.
Tru-Cold
I don't know who sourced refrigeration for them; I think we've seen some Frigidaire and possibly some Norge refrigeration? They seemed to have a more diverse source of white-good suppliers over the years, and yes, I would wager that made life much more difficult for Wards, compared to Sears, who was pretty much sourcing only Whirlpool and/or D&M. Imagine the mix once WCI shifted to the Franklin platform, making three possible designs for the Signature top-loaders.
There was a Tru-Cold top-freezer fridge here in Phoenix that was very handsome, and Ralph and I both thought it was nice, although Ralph had to excuse himself due to shaking and cold sweats after viewing the ad.
I didn't know until that point that they badged Tru-Cold on fridge combos. Buying appliances at Montgomery Ward must have been confusing as hell.
I don't know who sourced refrigeration for them; I think we've seen some Frigidaire and possibly some Norge refrigeration? They seemed to have a more diverse source of white-good suppliers over the years, and yes, I would wager that made life much more difficult for Wards, compared to Sears, who was pretty much sourcing only Whirlpool and/or D&M. Imagine the mix once WCI shifted to the Franklin platform, making three possible designs for the Signature top-loaders.
There was a Tru-Cold top-freezer fridge here in Phoenix that was very handsome, and Ralph and I both thought it was nice, although Ralph had to excuse himself due to shaking and cold sweats after viewing the ad.
I didn't know until that point that they badged Tru-Cold on fridge combos. Buying appliances at Montgomery Ward must have been confusing as hell.
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
TruCold...
If I remember correctly, it was sourced by, among other things, Westinghouse/Frigidaire and Norge (Later Admiral then Maytag).
RCD
If I remember correctly, it was sourced by, among other things, Westinghouse/Frigidaire and Norge (Later Admiral then Maytag).
RCD
whirlcool
Well-known member
Who made Wards Airline series of televisions? I always wondered about that.
My parents loved Sears. I don't think they ever shopped at Wards at all. Well, when I was in college my mother bought me some dress shirts from Wards. They were OK.
Even though my parents bought a lot of stuff from Sears. The kitchen was either Kenmore or Coldspot the laundry equipment always came from Polk Bros. Frigidaire or GE.
My parents loved Sears. I don't think they ever shopped at Wards at all. Well, when I was in college my mother bought me some dress shirts from Wards. They were OK.
Even though my parents bought a lot of stuff from Sears. The kitchen was either Kenmore or Coldspot the laundry equipment always came from Polk Bros. Frigidaire or GE.
Airline and Tru-Cold
Ah yes Nate, I remember that Tru-Cold top freezer in Phoenix. If it were nearer me and I didn't already have the Combination, I'd have overcome my PTSD (thanks Drew!) for that one. The '61 Tru-Cold freezer in the basement has never been out of operation except to defrost -- and you know how infrequently I do that . . . which is why I qualified my statement above with "virtually" regarding Ward's products.
Allen, I think Airline was a rebadge of a fairly reputable manufacturer, but I can't think of who it was. A Ward's anomaly to be sure.
Ah yes Nate, I remember that Tru-Cold top freezer in Phoenix. If it were nearer me and I didn't already have the Combination, I'd have overcome my PTSD (thanks Drew!) for that one. The '61 Tru-Cold freezer in the basement has never been out of operation except to defrost -- and you know how infrequently I do that . . . which is why I qualified my statement above with "virtually" regarding Ward's products.
Allen, I think Airline was a rebadge of a fairly reputable manufacturer, but I can't think of who it was. A Ward's anomaly to be sure.
Wards Tru-Cold Refrigerators
Were mostly Westinghouse in the late 50s-the mid 60s then they went to GM Frigidaire and Admiral, The GM Frigidaire were the only ones that were worth much.
Were mostly Westinghouse in the late 50s-the mid 60s then they went to GM Frigidaire and Admiral, The GM Frigidaire were the only ones that were worth much.
So the old memory doesn't serve me like it used to...yes, Tru-Cold was the refrigerator/freezer line. Ours had the freezer on the bottom with foot-pedal opener, middle meat drawer, and fridge on top. My Mom worked at Wards back in the early 50s; she says Magnavox was the manufacturer of the TVs then...
arbilab
Well-known member
Wells Gardner made MW electronics in the 60s. Gradually Panasonic snuck in for the smaller color sets and I believe Morse for the radio/phono consoles. Neither particularly impressive. I don't know who they ended up with, I only worked there one year then left the continent.
twintubdexter
Well-known member
Well friend Ralph,
45 or so years ago, for $15 you could have turned out to be a kinder and gentler person with regards to Montgomery Ward's fine line of appliances
ring..."hello, I'd like to talk to Wendy about registering my child"
45 or so years ago, for $15 you could have turned out to be a kinder and gentler person with regards to Montgomery Ward's fine line of appliances
ring..."hello, I'd like to talk to Wendy about registering my child"
And that ad makes me remember in some of the larger Montgomery Ward stores they had a restaurant/cafeteria called "Winky Wards." (hope my memory is working properly on that one)
I missed the 8 Mile Rd. Montgomery Ward that was near me (and where the Hagopian rug place got its bottom mount Tru Cold fridge/freezer, iin Copper w/o a "color panel" on the freezer door)...
It long-closed before I could ever drive to it, and maybe the empty building sat around from shortly after the time we had moved here, if I don't remember my family ever shopping at it...
-- Dave
It long-closed before I could ever drive to it, and maybe the empty building sat around from shortly after the time we had moved here, if I don't remember my family ever shopping at it...
-- Dave
wards / westys
piMW
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[this post was last edited: 7/15/2014-21:36]
piMW
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[this post was last edited: 7/15/2014-21:36]
That top-loading set in the first photo is what started it all for me. My grandmother had the models just below those -- a one-speed washer but a great machine. Those amazing Norge sounds were so much fun. Still searching for that machine out there somewhere...
