My Electrolux Chamber

I had to dig out some tote boxes from my vacuum room closet yesterday, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to re-organize the entire room, at least somewhat.

Picture 1, to the right of the door. There used to be a single bed here, but I gave it to my sister. I actually prefer the machines on the floor, but, since this is a basement room, I laid down a couple of quilts in case of moisture. I stuffed plastic bags in the hose connectors because I had mice in the past, and they got inside the bags and made quite a mess. The Guardian 75th, by the way, is my present downstairs cylinder, and the two Discovery uprights are atop a 1970's Electrolux seat/storage chest.

Picture 2, under the window. These are by far my favorite Electrolux/Aerus models, but not necessarily my most frequently used ones. The wooden cabinet, as far as I know, is an old family 'heirloom'.

Picture 3, bureau. The Genesis LX is my present downstairs upright. The upright storage caddies hold Style R wands and Sidekicks, and behind the Epic 3500 are two 89s.

Picture 4, closet Part 1. All of my machines awaiting repair are in here, in pieces, namely the B21 shampooer, 2 86s, 2 89s, Diplomat, Ambassador, System 90, and Lux 9000. I MAY get around to them someday. The vintage hoses NEVER see use, although some are airtight.

Picture 5, closet Part 2. There is a BX-10 shampooer in the corner, and the gold Electrolux is a 50th Jubilee, not a Super J. The Epic 3500 works, but has no handle. I just borrow the handle from another model when using it.

Picture 6, Style R hoses.

Picture 7, Other usable and used hoses, in another part of the basement.

Note 1: There are 4 machines 'missing in action'. The Ambassador and brown LE are loaned out to two of my sisters, and the Epic 8000 and white Epic 3500 are the upstairs vacuums for the week.

Note 2: All of the models in these pictures work and get semi-regular use.

Note 3: Most of the totes and boxes are full of attachments and parts.

Note 4: Although some of me wants more vacuums, some of me thinks "Enough is enough!". Actually, at the present time I don't have a single cent to spare on getting more vacuums, so its a moot point.

Gee, it's a Model G

I'm definitely on a bit of a vintage kick these days. The brown* Model G makes his debut here, after being put into service for some light cleaning.

This is my favourite American Electrolux model. It was made between 1967-8, I believe, and sold in the U.S. I got this on eBay (cylinder only), and later got some of the original attachments and the original hose from a fellow collector. It works just fine, and is very quiet and powerful. To make it complete, I'd like to have the original power nozzle with plastic wand, brown and white combo tool, and brown crevice tool. 

Motor unit shot. This is in unbelievably good condition, with little to no paint loss, scratching, or denting. 

The distinguishing feature of the G is the vertical orientation of the bag chamber. I'm not sure why they did this, but it definitely makes the G a 'tall' machine compared to other models. I doubt it makes any difference in performance.

Immaculate bag chamber:

Front end. Automatic!

Rear end, with blower diffuser:

Logos:

Bottom view, with four wheels and caster. Note the power nozzle connector.

Ratings plate:

Plugged in and good to go. This is a super quiet and powerful vacuum, somewhat less so than its Canadian contemporaries, but it still holds its head up high today. In fact, considering the 80 and G series, I really don't see why Electrolux and Aerus had to continue to make their motors louder and more powerful than this. It's unbelievable how soft and pleasant these vacuums sound when running (minus the power nozzle, of course!), and this makes them a pleasure to use. 

*I've seen a variety of different color names for this G...tan, bronze, etc., but I'm calling it brown, as it's definitely a derivative of brown. 

How Now, Brown Cow

When I was going to vacuum the downstairs the other day, I thought I'd break out a vintage machine and put it through its paces, not least because motors need to be run regularly to avoid seizing up and drying out. I decided to use the AP280, and now, after a couple of days of cleaning duty, he gets a feature in Eluxurious.

The Electrolux AP280 was made in Canada by Electrolux Canada, from 1980-ish - 1982. It was the first ever Electrolux (in North America, at least...not sure about other countries) to have a variable speed motor; in this case, two-speed, and this definitely makes it a standout model. It's also arguably the nicest looking of the 1970's AP Series, in elegant chocolate brown with ivory trimmings. 

Here are some shots of the AP280. First, the entire* ensemble, including the original hose, power nozzle, dusting brush, upholstery tool, crevice tool, floor brush, and attachment caddy**. 

Top view. The AP280 was the last of this type before the more recognizable E2000 came out (the design and style of which is more or less identical today, except for mechanics). That said, the design of subsequent models didn't change ALL that much. 

Logos:

Closer view of top deck with filter cover latch, motor speed selector switch, automatic bag-full shutoff dial, power available light, and no-bag/full-bag light. Note the little "Elux" logo: on the previous AP100 and AP200, this is where the no-bag/full-bag red light was.

Power available light. This comes on when the machine is plugged in, but goes off when it is switched on. Later lights simply stayed on at all times when the machine was plugged in and/or running.

No-bag/full bag light. Works exactly the same as all the other models...if you try to start the motor without a bag present, the light will come on, and when the bag is full, the motor will shut off and the red light will come on.

Inside of bag door. Note the older style connectors for the electric hose/wand/power nozzle. The serial number indicates it was made in 1982.

Another full-on shot. I used this to do the carpet, minus the dreadful original hose (although this does have the trigger switch and sliding suction vent). The power nozzle is identical to the American power nozzle of the time, which I think was the PN2, except for the logo strip. In fact, the color combo of the AP280 is identical to its American contemporary, the Olympia. 

I believe I got the AP280 with all of its accoutrements from a fellow collector, but my memory doesn't always serve me well :) It's a great vacuum, and holds its head up high even against today's models, with the additional benefits of being quieter and using less power. When I was younger, I saw quite a few of these. In fact, of the five houses on my side of the street, there were 2 AP280's (and, incidentally, an AP100!). In another case, which sufficiently illustrates how deficient my childhood memories are in terms of anything other than vacuum cleaners, I recall watching a cleaner vacuuming a hospital waiting room with an AP280, somewhere around 1983-4. I was there to visit my grandmother, but remember nothing except the AP280. 

*I believe the carpet nozzle and sprayer, along with other possible accessories, were optional by this time. 

**As can be seen on Doug Smith's site, some of these caddies were in brown as well.

Some Time Traveling With My Favorite Vintage Electrolux

I needed to clean the lint trap of my dryer today, and the first vacuum I laid eyes on happened to be the 88 1st version. I figured I'd bust out the original hose and attachments, purely for fun, and this naturally led to a little photo shoot.

Assuming this was 1961, and you owned the top-of-the-line Electrolux model for that year, this is what you would have had:

The ensemble shown would have included everything you needed for daily cleaning. The vaporizer and sprayer, while original to the machine, would not (presumably) have been used for everyday cleaning, so I didn't picture them here. One 'false' note...the original dusting brush for this model would have had a bare metal top, with a red bumper, but I don't happen to have one of those.

Fast forward a couple of years to 1963, and this would have been your top-of-the-line Electrolux cleaning ensemble:

The major difference here is the telescopic wand, vastly more user-friendly than the two-piece set. The floor and rug tools also had a spring clip added, and the handikit became smaller. The motor unit also got a rubber bumper. Everything else was the same.

Note: I do have another 88, made in 1965, and it has the plug in the handle for the power nozzle. It was more or less around this time that the power nozzles, power hose handles, and power wands started to come out. I wouldn't mind having the above to make my 88 collection more complete.

Incidentally, both of these 88s run perfectly. The hose, attachments, and wand are in perfect condition, except for the dusting brush. It would have been amazing enough to have had one or the other of these when they were released, but here I am, 53 and 51 years later, with these beautiful ensembles in my collection, still looking as handsome as ever, and still offering their cleaning services.

A Special Vacuum Indeed

Here is my Electrolux Special Edition (Model 2100) vacuum cleaner, which I believe was made and sold between 1987-9. It's probably the nicest looking out of all the machines in the endless parade of E2000 style models...wine and grey makes for a nice combination. I got this, by the way, from a local seller whose father had owned it, and rarely used it. It was and still is in great mechanical and cosmetic condition.

The full ensemble, featuring the original hose*, power nozzle**, plastic accessory wands, combination tool, baby crevice tool, floor brush, and Sidekick. If memory serves, everything except the Sidekick came with this purchase, and I'm assuming, as this is a top-of-the-line model, that the Sidekick would have been (optionally) available with the brand new ensemble.

Other than its good looks, what makes the SE special? If I recall correctly, Electrolux sold the SE outside of the normal door-to-door or showroom network. In fact, I can remember seeing display kiosks in shopping malls featuring the SE, LE, SE upright, and SE shampooer-polisher, somewhere in the late '80's. Why Electrolux did this, I don't know...perhaps they wanted to increase their exposure, and thus sales, by changing their sales methods***. Did it work? Who knows?

Close ups of the information panel and power nozzle, with logos:

Don't quote me on this, but I believe the baby crevice tool, bumper-less floor brush, and plastic wands were standard with this model. I'm not sure if this was standard across the board on all of the special and/or economy models. As a comparison, when my folks got their brand new in-the-box Diplomat in 1990, it came with a full-sized crevice tool, floor brush with bumper, and a set of old school steel accessory wands, so perhaps there was a bit of mixing and matching going on over the years. I also note that my friend's 2009(?) or 2010(?) Aerus Lux Classic has these same 'cheaper' attachments.

All that surmised about, the 2100 Special Edition is a fine vacuum, and I do put it to work on occasion. In fact, after this post, I made it the upstairs vacuum for the week.

*Of course, I NEVER use any of the piece of shit Electrolux braided hoses. The ONLY good thing about any of them is the attractive weave patterns on them. I may be vehement about it, but those braided hoses are the only things I absolutely detest about Electrolux. 

**The PN5, PN6, and PN6a (which this one is) are unique among Electrolux power nozzles for having the "Omni-flo Automatic" (whatever that means...automatic height adjustment, I guess) logo as well as the notation "for carpets and floors". To my knowledge, Electrolux had never before included the functions of the vacuum or accessory on the vacuum or accessory itself, except for something like 'Automatic' or 'Elux-o-Matic', and I don't think they have done so since. Perhaps, since the L-shaped nozzle was a new design, the company wanted to emphasize its dual function. Who knows?

***I believe the Regency Series was also sold outside of the normal channels. Is this true of the Advantage Series as well? I'm confuzzled now.

The End of an Era

Here is the Electrolux Z57, made in Canada as the top of the line offering by Electrolux Canada, between 1953-7, as far as I know. My particular 57 was made in 1956, and it still does the job just fine.

Speaking aesthetically, this is arguably the ugliest of the Canadian Electroluxes, but there may be other candidates as well, and it would be as well to remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Even something that at first glance is unattractive and homely can have a certain style and charm, and I can't forget that this is a 58 year old machine. As can be seen, the handle is in sorry shape, but still basically intact. The main body portion exactly resembles its predecessors and companion models (30, 55 in three versions, and 54), but the add-ons set the 57 apart.

The first difference is the cord winder, which was standard on the 57. This one is brown to match the machine, but I've seen them in silver as well. A plug leads from the cord winder to the machine, and the unit is permanently attached to the rear blower cover, which then screws in like all the others. This certainly enhances the usability of the 57 as compared with other models, but it definitely destroys the streamlining of the body. Also, it tends to make the machine a little heavy when picking it up. Electrolux Canada would perfect this situation when they came out with the 86 and 88 in 1957, which were completely redesigned with the cord winder integrated into the vacuum body*.

Cord winder, detached:

Cord winder, hinged open to connect the hose for blowing:

The second change is in the wheel and castor system, although the 57 still kept the metal runners. A castor was added near the front, and this became standard on all models thereafter. Actually, the U.S. models had already ditched the runners in favor of wheels/castors by this time, I believe. The rear wheels simply screw on to the runners, making the 57 considerably more maneuverable than its predecessors and lower-line companions.

Rear view, showing rear wheels screwed on to the runners:

Bottom view, with front caster, rear wheels, and ratings plate:

Close up of logo strip:

I recall a fellow collector saying that the 57 in its later years offered disposable bags, which would make it the first Canadian Electrolux to do so. I don't think they were Style C, however, as the bag chamber is a completely different shape than the Style C bag.

Plugged in and ready to clean, with updated hose. As far as I know, the 57 shared the same motor as the 30, 54, and 55. Its certainly just as quiet and powerful as those. Its also the last machine of this type before the completely redesigned 80 series came out...sort of the last of the 'old school' vacuums.

*Technically, the 80 series cord winder is only integrated into the body when it's closed and latched, for it can be opened to install an after filter, and can be detached from the machine by removing it from the rear wheel axles, but it is more part of the body than previous cord winders. 

Reflections

Eluxurious is getting near to its second anniversary, and I have to say I've quite enjoyed every moment of administering it. I can't remember exactly when or why I wanted to create my own personal vacuum collection showcase, but it had been building up for some time, and I'm satisfied with having shared one of my favourite hobbies with the world, as it were.

I still have more than a few models in my collection that are waiting to be featured, and some of the content on this blog will no doubt be revised and/or expanded upon. I'm also sure that I'll find some new and interesting content to add. As for adding more models to my collection, I'm not sure. Right now, my financial situation doesn't permit me to do it, but I can't rule it out completely for the future. As I mentioned in my Discovery Advantage post, however, I do want to concentrate on the machines I have. I still have my Diplomat restoration waiting, for example, and I definitely want to completely disassemble one of my uprights this year (I've never worked on an upright before).

One of the biggest changes in my vacuum collecting and usage habits over the past several years has definitely been my interest in newer Electrolux and Aerus models. At one time, I was only interested in collecting and using vintage machines, but that's not so anymore. Mind you, I still do like the vintage models, and still put them to use on occasion, but I'm much more drawn to newer models these days. If I do add any more vacuums to the collection, they'll definitely be newer models. 

Speaking of newer (i.e. released in the past 20 or so years, give or take) models, my cleaning team for this holiday season was (and still is) the Lux 6000 and Lux Guardian. These are my favourites out of all my models for everyday use; the 6000 somewhat more so than the Guardian, because it's the only upright of this type that I have. 

At any rate, I look forward to another year of chronicling my hobby. Happy Electroluxing and/or Aerusing to all, and Happy New Year.