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.