The last 'International Washer Rescue' mission of 2015 a success...

[turquoisedude]

The stars really aligned this fall/early winter on the east coast - the weather has been unseasonably warm so there has been no snow or ice to impede getting to and from the house in Ogden AND a number of rare and unusual machines have bubbled up to the surface.  New Jersey has been a particularly good source, it would seem.  I found two real beauties that I simply could not resist.

 

Here's the haul I ransacked and pillaged from the New England states - one ABC O Matic model 72 and a Norge model AW432 Timeline.  

 

The look on my face sure seems to be saying  "I can't believe what time it is...."  LOL

[this post was last edited: 12/17/2015-15:01]

 

[turquoisedude]

The backstory on the Norge

If this mention of a Norge in New England sounds familiar, you're right!  The washer was actually listed in a craigslist ad for a Norge refrigerator and it took Phil (overphil)'s keen eyes to spot it.  I made arrangements with the seller to pick this up a couple of weeks ago (then lightning struck again... stay tuned). 

 

Anyway, according to the seller, this washer belonged to her grandmother and the machine was moved to the basement of the home where she grew up sometime in or around 1964.  The machine was working at the time, but had not been tested. 

 

Apart from a whole lot of dust, the washer seems to be in great shape.  This is the first pre-1960 washer I've come across where the original supply and drain hoses are still reasonably good and the original power cord is still soft and pliable!

 

[turquoisedude]

With help from PhilR, we manhandled the washer out of the basement and onto his truck.    We then headed off to our next rescue in Melrose, MA.... 

 

[turquoisedude]

Hey, this place looks familiar too...  It looks like it may have been on TV earlier this fall... 

 

[turquoisedude]

Yes, folks, once again, the evil Canadian raiders have plundered a US-built washer and whisked it over the border... 

 

And yes, this is the ABC O Matic that surfaced in New Jersey just a couple of weeks ago (the lightning struck twice for sure). 

 

Eddie (toploader55) picked up the machine in Jersey and brought it to Jon (jetcone)'s place for temporary storage.  Jon did an inspection of the machine and proclaimed it worthy of keeping should I not have managed to haul my Royal Canadian keester down there to get it!!  The washer does run, but it's going to need some new hoses, belts and lubrication.  It will, alas, also need a tub boot (so if you're listening, Santa... LOL).

 

But the machine is in really nice shape, too.  I think it's a real beauty, but I'm having a devil of a time figuring out what year it was made.  1955 seems to be the most likely date... 

 

[turquoisedude]

But this was a rescue mission, and Phil and I came to the aid of our Northeastern Chapter brethren.  Jon, Eddie, Phil and I relocated 8 machines to Jon's house for temporary storage until he can get a new storage shed built. 

 

Oy, my achin' back.... LOL 

 

[turquoisedude]

And as the ABC got loaded onto the truck, the Poppy Red Frigidaire dryer sat whimpering on the driveway...  We loaded it on the truck and it will now find a home with Phil.  I think he collects Frigidaire stuff, right??  (ducks and runs....) 

 

[turquoisedude]

End of the line... for now

And so late last night, the 'new' Norge and ABC machines got tucked into the garage in Ogden.  We're redoing the bathroom down there so this is probably the safest place for them.

 

Unfortunately, I'm not going to get to play with them until after New Year's... possibly into early January until we're back down at the house in Ogden. 

 

This Christmas to heck with the sugarplums... I'm going to have visions of washers dancing in my head!!  

 

[ken]

Congratulations. Looking forward to pictures as you go through them and bring them back to life. And videos of them washing.

 

[supersuds]

There's something about an ABC

The styling is really attractive and the X-Centric washing action should be loads of fun!

I think you got an exceptionally interesting washer there.

 

[turquoisedude]

Found a clue about the ABC

I was just having a look at the wiring diagram from the ABC (thanks, Eddie, for saving that from disappearing into the salt flats...) - I noticed a revision date of 10-56 on it.  Sooooo, it may be a 1957 model - I'll probably only know for sure when I can get into the machine and hopefully locate a date on a component.   That would make this one of the very last ABC-badged machines, IIRC.... 

 

[jetcone]

Well Eddie stayed on the poor devil

He was forced to eat Crouton Pizza and salad and engage me in fanciful conversation last nite.

And today he helped me hump out the other 7 machines that had to be saved so I am now officially out of the evil secret supply storage area. 

Every one has come home for Christmas as you can see by my deck! 

 

I had the tree trimmer in today to cut off any limbs that could fall over the winter. 

So we should be good to go until April when the new shed arrives !!

 

 

Thank you again International Contingent of Machine Rescuers Local 118 !

 

 

[toploader55]

There's always an adventure in Melrose. ROFLMAO !!!

 

It is always great to PhilR, Paul, Artie and oh yes, Dr. Frigidaire.

 

Strange how I always leave Melrose malnourished and weak.

 

Just kidding. The accommodations are always too gracious at "The Tree House".

 

It's a very relaxing peaceful home and the host is always too kind and generous.

 

I look forward to my return trip to fill some boxes.  Thanks guys. As always a pleasure.

 

[cadman]

Wow Paul, all I can say is CONGRATULATIONS! Somebody's livin' right!

 

[peteski50]

Great Finds!

Hi Paul these are the best! I like the way the ABC timer says "Shampoo" - I hope you can find a window for it! The Norge is also awsome! BTW is that the rear of a frog eye kenmore - I dont see the front?
Best Wishes,
Peter

 

[washerlover]

"I can't believe what time it is..."

Hey Paul, I love that -- shouldn't that be "I can't believe what Timeline it is?!" I just can't believe another Norge Timeline is going to be saved! It's time for another Timeline! Best of luck in the restoration and please, please post videos and pics.

 

[jetcone]

Yes Pete

that is a Frog Eye, nice machine. I found it years ago south of Boston, GregM had it for awhile then it went to Coldspot66 who neatly inserted new bearings and now its back here running beautifully! It will soon taste a RotoFlex on loan to me by Jetaction . 

 

 

 

 

[alr2903]

Very nice finds Paul.  I kind of expected the Norge timeline to have the holes in the agitator paddles, similar to the one that shows up in POD? 

 

LOL,  spellcheck indicates "Norge" is misspelled. 

 

[114jwh]

Congrats Paul!

Not one but TWO very rare finds and in great condition!! Can't wait to see you get them going!

I've seen late 80's/early 90's Norge kitchen appliances in Canada but can't recall ever seeing anything much older than that. Was Norge ever marketed in Canada before the 80's? Never seen ABC up here either for that matter....maybe they were both just super rare.

In any event, once again congrats on these awesome finds!