Who knew Norge even made Air Cons?

[red_october]

Check out what I saw on ebay...
I didn't even know they made A/C units. Someone should snap this up.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[bobbyderegis]

Hello Red.
Norge was owned by Fedders during the Seventies, so I would assume this AC unit is a Fedders.
Bobby in Boston

 

[tomturbomatic]

Norge was owned by Borg Warner in the 50s and into the 60s. Borg Warner also owned YORK climate control equipment and for a while, they marketed YORK window units.

 

[whirlcool]

Back in the 60's (about 1965 or so) Norge had the window a/c units with a gap in the middle between the inside and outside parts. You would slide the window down in this gap. It was advertised as keeping the compressor noise outside where it belongs. A very unusual looking unit.
It's not at all surprising to see that this unit is located in the Greater Chicago area. I used to see a LOT of Norge a/c units up there.
In fact when I think of Norge, I think of Chicago for some reason.

 

[gansky1]

My grandparents had this same model installed through the wall in their living room. It was a great unit though - the room was like a meat locker!

 

[nasadowsk]

But... do they shut off with a nice loud clunk?

 

[paulg]

Norge in Chicago

Yes, there was Norge in Chicago and I distinctly remember the window units. When you would walk by a house you would see the letter "N" badge hanging out the window.
The Borg-Warner building is still there.

 

[drewz]

Norge, Welbuilt, & Chrysler

Norge a/c's were very common in Northern Virginia in the mid to late 60's & 70's, they were still labeled with a big "BW" on the front by the Norge name. Most of what I had seen were single pane casement style units.

The other big seller back then was also "Welbuilt" as single pane casements, and let's not forget the Monster crank out casement model made by Chrysler "Air Temp"

 

[whirlcool]

I know in automobiles the Chrysler Air Temp a/c units of the 60's & 70's would pump out some SERIOUS cold air!

In fact, just about all the casement a/c units I have ever seen have been Chrysler Air Temps.

 

[bongobro]

"Years from now you'll be glad it's a Norge...&

Norge was based in Chicago when it was a division of Borg-Warner, so it's no surprise Chitown had more Norges than most cities...and since Norge's first appliances (like Frigidaire and Kelvinator) were refrigerators, it's no big surprise that Norge made air conditioners even before Fedders got involved with them.

What would be even more bizarre to see on eBay is a Philco air conditioner. I remember after Ford bought Philco they spent millions on selling color TVs, refrigerators and air conditioners while essentially abandoning the home laundry lines after 1969....

 

[red_october]

Bizarre, you say...

My grandfather had a Philco/Ford A/C upstairs for years, a 230V unit. It cooled really well until it died and was replaced with a wholely inadequate "Siesta" unit that, franky, sucked. I think it had about half the BTUs it should have.