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.