TOL VHQ Norge Pair

[mrsalvo]

We had a 1969 Monkey Ward Norge and, boy, could it wash. It held 20 lbs easy and the lint filter was like the one shown in the picture. I remember it being a loud machine and the brakes on it. Clothes were always clean. One of the best washers we ever owned when I was growing up. It was built, no nonsense. Can't wait to see a video of this on when it's rehabbed.

 

[kakidd]

what does VHQ stand for??

 

[norgeway]

Why did a Norge break down....

Because when things really work,parts do wear!!! Still the all time BEST washer ever made!!!

 

[goatfarmer]

VHQ

"very high quality"

 

[kakidd]

Of Course!

Thank You!

 

[combo52]

1967 Norge With a Broken Agitator

Michael the reason the agitators broke in this area was this was one of the greatest areas of stress, the agitator was driven at the top and most of the stress was the outer fins on the skirt, so the slight flexing in the waist area would cause the rigid fins to brake in this area, we saw many-many Norges do this around this time period.

 

Someone asked about the claimed capacity of this washer, Norge was claiming 18 pounds at this time. When these extra large washers came out around 1963-4 they claimed 14, then quickly went to 15, then 16, , 18 and finally 20 pounds. The tub was always the same size and I would estimate the REAL capacity be be in the 14-15 pound range.

 

[70series]

Wow, what nice finds. It is uncanny that two vanes on the agitator would break off in the exact same place. I too thought it was all part of the design.

 

[philr]

What a great set! I really like their control panels!

 

[combo52]

1967 Norge With a Broken Agitator

Usually all four vanes would break in this area, but I never saw the agitator break completely so we would just smooth out the rough area and the customer could keep on washing.

 

[peterh770]

Why, oh why?

Does the washer timer turn clockwise and the dryer timer turn counterclockwise?

Such a handsome pair! Congrats! I think Mark in VA has the same VHQ dryer...

 

[jetcone]

No,no,no that agitator and machine are

original, that's how the agitators were made in the parallel universe, this machine has somehow flopped over here. You'll need a doorway generator to hop over to the parallel earth and search parts stores there to replace it like new!! Get crackin'!

 

Oh while you are there pick me up a spare IBM Selectric 251 please!

 

 

 

[peteski50]

norge!

John,
This is really a beautiful set.
Best Wishes
Peter

 

[chaskelljr2]

1967 Norge TOL VHQ Set.....

I know I'm not a Norge fan and all, but I like these.....

But I have to admit, that is a cool looking set at the beginning of the thread....

The Push-Button Consoles on are VERY attractive....

I'm definitely digging the backlit consoles....

So, this was Norge's answer to the Maytag 906's and to Sears' Lady Kenmores' of the day?????

--Charles--

 

[washerlover]

Being a huge Norge/Wards fan, these are awesome machines! I have a 1965 Norge "VHQ" with bakelite agitator and missing the lint filter -- still on the hunt for that. Had the matching dryer but had to downsize and unfortunately it went to the crusher. Those washers are hard-working machines and really do the job. I believe they compensated for the capacity issue by just allowing the but to fill up higher without changing the size of the tub. I have a Wards Signature 20-lb capacity and the tub is the same size as my '65 Norge but it appears that the Wards 20-lb fills up more than the Norge.

 

[philr]

The same NORGE VHQ washer is featured in a Tide ad in today's POD. 

 

[appnut]

The same NORGE VHQ washer is featured in a Tide ad in today&

The only difference betwween the machine in the ad and John's is the one in the ad has the black bakelite agitator like our 1964 Norge15 had. I remembered this ad and immediately noticed the different agitator John's had.

 

[combo52]

1967 Norge VHQ Washer

How cool Bob glad you noticed this difference in the agitators, I had assumed that our machine was the first year for the blue polypropylene agitator, but I did not realize that Norge made the same washer with the black Bakelite agitator. This is great news because the near mechanically perfect donor machine is a year older and has the black agitator, so I will probably just leave it unless I can find an unbroken blue PP agitator.

 

[mickeyd]

Thanks for the heads-up on the POD ~ What a beauty!

Always a sucker for the elevated control panel with lots of buttons and a huge dial, the VSQ Norge is a stunning example. And the blue agitator makes it all the more special.

Re-reading the thread, I just noticed the reference to a three speed motor. That'll be fun to see, cycle 9, Fragile, Lightly soiled, and maybe the woolens wash.

Interested in the 1st button, SOAK. John, only the rinse is marked soak, nothing else on the dial. Does the soak button hold the timer some where, and for how long?

And, when you have time, there are two smaller dials, one on each side of the main. Betting one is water level, of course, but what about the other?

Imagine there will be many heads bent over this gem, when the museum opens.

 

[philr]

but what about the other

The knob on the right of the timer dial (on the washer) is to set the timer, at least I think it is!

 

[appnut]

Michael, to answer your questions

The "soak cycle" is on the dial where the rinse begins. No it doesn't "hold" the timer. it simply selects the water temperature (cold) and normal agitation and spin. Our 1964 Dispense-o-Mat, button #1 was soak. it was a cold fill. Coincidentally, where the pre-wash cycle is on the timer dial is where our soak cycle was. A 4 or 5 minute agitation and extract with spray and finish spinning. There is a separate pre-wash cycle button which I suspect is a warm fill. the other "small" knob is used for setting the timer kind of like the 1960 Frigidaire Custom Imperial.

 

[washerlover]

Also interesting to note this first year of Norge non-bakelite agitators doesn't appear to have the exclusive "scrubber" top to help rid us of ring-around-the-collar and other hard-to-get-rid-of stains!

 

[combo52]

1967 Norge VHQ Washer

Todd, interesting question about the scrubber cap, although I do not ever recall seeing a SC on a Norge washer, was that a Montgomery Wards exclusive ?

 

[gansky1]

I think he means the ribbed top on the white plastic agitators. IIIRC reading in some doctrine somewhere that those ribs could be used for scrubbing too. I don't recall seeing the rubber scrub-caps on the solid basket machines except in Montgomery Ward branded models.

 

[mickeyd]

Uncle Robert Appnut

Thank you ! I don't know anyone who knows control panels and cycle sequences like you do, any brand, any model.

What a wonderful gift you have.