TOL VHQ Norge Pair

[cleanteamofny]

Was this an evolution of the larger capacity 4 vane agitator

There was an earlier version for their solid tub machines.
I had to get rid of her during the move back in 2008.

 

[swestoyz]

What a neat looking console!  Awesome save there John.  Rare to see a Norge with all those dispensers and the recirculating filter!

 

Ben

 

[turquoisedude]

Wow John, I have never seen anything quite like these! The basket lint filter at the rear is something I don't recall seeing on anything here up in the glacier zone - the consoles of both machines look more 'space age' than anything that was sent into space in the day, I swear! The 3-way hamper door on the dryer is a great idea - more proof that today's machines are seriously lacking in innovation.

Great save!

 

[kenmoreguy64]

John,

Congrats on all the great acquisitions of late! Those Norges look very interesting, and its great that they landed softly enough to find their way to the museum.

Good luck with all the resto work!

Gordon

 

[combo52]

1967 Norge VHQ Washer

This was the first year of the polypropylene agitator and it is interesting Michael that you commented on the unusual fin design between the top and bottom fins. I didn't take a very good picture but the fins used to be connected from top to bottom, but because of the twisting stress in this area the center section of fin is actually broken away. We used to see this in high use Norge washers and we would take a propane torch and heat the rough edges after the fins broke so the sharp edges would not damage clothing. If anyone has an intact light blue agitator for one of these washers I would be happy to buy it.

 

With Norge washers one would be surprised at the parts that I have seen broken, often things you would think would expect to brake, LOL.

I have seen the bottom base pans brake, agitator shafts brake in two, the plate that the brake assembly mounts to I have seen brake in half and on and on.

 

[rp2813]

". . . and on and on"

Oh John. 

 

If you hadn't typed that, you'd have been typing for days.

 

When it comes to Norge washers, the quality really is silent.

 

Which is why they're worthy of museum piece status.

 

[appnut]

John, thanks for all the close0-ups.  Substitute the black bakelite aghitator found in robert's Monkey Wards Imperial and that's what our 1964 Norge looked like.  I loved those timed dispensers.  Some of the best I've ever used.  We had 8 cycle buttons on our (remember seeing the Ozzie & Harriet piece Tomturbomatic found a couple of months ago?  That was our 1964 pair.  Our pair did not offer cycle buttons that war numbers 2 and 8.  Wasn & Wear durables was number 5 and cold water wash was #6.  the button numbers corresponded with timer dial wash times.  Our dryer had the same exact sequence except we had a fluff cycle with start bar where there are no numbers on the timed dry cycle on this dryer.  I'm extremely impressed the lint filter basket is still there.  That's exactly like ours was.  Lasted about 5 years before it wuldn't stay stable with the "tooth" that held it in place.  There was a 1965 Monkey Wards service manual that was available a couple of months ago I downloaded.  One mention was the filter basket could be used for a deterrgent dispenser (aka filter-flo).  I tried that a cvouple of times but not all the powder was dissolved bgy the end of the 12 minute wash cycle so I never did that again.  I wish I understood about the modulating gas valve on the dryer back when I was 10.  I wouldn't have fretteed as much as I did about more delicate fabrtics if I'd understood.  Loved that 3-way dryer door.  I believe thjis washer is a POD for a detergent commercial occassionally.  IU believe these oculd have been for sale in late 1966--remember seeing them at our Foley's Dept. store around then and despereately wanted these over what was at home because of the two preferred cycle buttons additions as well as temperature buttons on the dryer.  Can't wait to see these some day after restoration.  I wonder if these did the partial drain and then began spinning (this was about the time that came about) or was it more like what ours was (like Robert's too) where by total drain, then whatever mechanism engaged (with a nice "pop" and motor engaged and a naer standstill and ramped up the spinning).   Our washer timer dial had the word "EXTRACT" rather than seen here--Automatic Cool Down. 

[this post was last edited: 3/8/2013-20:59]

 

[srswirl]

OMG John...

What were they washing...BRICKS?!!! I'm glad I'm not going crazy. I've seen a LOT of Norge washers and I thought I was in the Twilight Zone. The idea that the NARROWEST part of the fins could break off is really strange! AND, two of the fins in the EXACT same place...really bizarre. The later version burpolator had the holes in the skirt. From the skirt, the tube to carry water to the filter went up the spline...so that could reinforce the wings...but I would not have thought it possible that the narrowest section of the wings could break off in the non-burpolator version.

 

[appnut]

Small KNobs on either side of timer dials

These were off-set timer dials like on mid-1960s Frigidaires.  One of the knobs on the washer was the water level.  The other knob turned the timer dial (at least on the ones I saw in the store).  The knob push/pulled for on/off.  For the dryer, I can only think of what two were for.  One for setting the timer.  The other was for stop'n'dry feature.  The third little knob may have been a buzzer/signal off/on, but that's just guessing.   I think it was nice the filter basket and filter stream nozzle were color-coordinated with the agitator (if it was blue when new). 

 

[a440]

Awesome find John!
Great looking set.
Thanks for the burner shot.
What the the BTU input rating of the burner?
The dryer looks huge!
Brent

 

[mickeyd]

Hello, John

Dryers rarely wow me, but this one is truly beautiful. And the washer is to die for!

Like many here, I adore the Norge, and to see a TOL all lit up and full of bells, whistles, and buttons to play with is so satisfying.

Can't believe we gassed all night on the telly and you didn't mention the new found treasure. It was a fun and nice surprise to find out here.

 

[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.