Yellow Was In in the 70's

Presenting the made in Canada by Electrolux Canada AP 200. This followed the AP 100, around 1976/7, and really was the same machine in a different color. The only major difference from previous models was the lack of a trigger switch for the power nozzle on the hose handle, and, in fact, the later AP 100 also eliminated this switch, so the two machines are the same.

There was a strike during production of this machine, and thus it wasn't made in large quantities. I didn't see a ton of them around back in the day. In fact, I can only recall two instances. The first was when driving past an Electrolux showroom somewhere around 1979 (when my unit was made) and seeing it, along with the matching shampooer/polisher, in the window display. The other was in 1984, during the visit of Pope John Paul II to my city. He held an outdoor mass, and before it started, a group of robed priests were vacuuming the carpeted altar (?!), and one of them was using an AP 200. A bit strange, but true. 

This AP 200 is mostly complete...as far I know, it's only missing the crevice tool. I also don't have the optional sprayer and carpet nozzle, and, as can be seen from the picture, the plug has been replaced. Other than these deficiencies, it looks good, and works perfectly. The matching color Trivac, by the way, is included in the picture. I dare say Electrolux tried to get people to buy the full cleaning set of vacuum, electric broom, and shampooer/polisher. I'm sure they still do this.

This hose, with American style machine connector, was used during the run of the Super J. This model was sold in Canada during the aforementioned strike, and I saw far more of these than the AP 200. I like the AP 200 (and the entire AP series) far better than the Super J, but the latter is a good vacuum too.

A 'Jamaica Bronze*' Jubilee

This fellow is 50 this year. As a birthday present, I busted out the Turtle Wax car wash, Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish, and Armor-All, to give him a nice cleaning.

I got this particular 88 in 2007, from a local seller who in turn got it from an older lady. Other than its beautiful and powerful self, all it came with was a green standard hose (to match the 89). I guess the older lady was rather set in her ways, as she apparently never upgraded the hose. Of course, I've since acquired most or all of the standard attachments to match this and the other 88s, and hope someday to find all the optional ones. If anyone out there has them, I wouldn't mind hearing from you.

Soon enough, I'll have had this 88 myself for 10 years, and I expect it'll still be working away, as quiet and powerful as ever.

*Apparently, the official color of this machine is 'Jamaica Bronze'. I could have sworn it was 'dark red', but what do I know? At any rate, happy 50th birthday to my all-time favorite vintage Electrolux.

P.S. I find it a little strange that the 88 is my favourite vintage machine. As a matter of fact, I didn't see that many of them when I was young. The only one that sticks out is one owned by my old friend (who incidentally owns the Lux Classic as featured in this blog). Maybe it's the very elusiveness of the 88 that charms me?

Some Family Electrolux History Elucidated

My aunt (my father's sister) was visiting today, and I finally seized the opportunity to ask her to confirm what the household vacuum was when she was a child. In my post on the ZB55, I mentioned that my paternal grandparents had one in their basement when I was a kid, and, after I began collecting vacuums, I recalled my memories of it, and hazarded a guess that it was the old household vacuum.

Well, it turns out I was slightly off. I showed the 55 to my aunt today, and she said their old vacuum was like it, but brown. Could it have been the Z57? Indeed it was. When I showed her the 57, she recognized it right away.

Could I have been mistaken in my memories? I don't think I am. I definitely recall that distinctive black and silver 55 with the black 'Cord-o-matic' cord winder. My aunt opined that the 55 could have been a 'shop vac' used by my grandfather, who had a workshop in the basement (he had been a shoemaker).

So, the household vacuum was the 57. My father would have been 10 or so at the time (he was the oldest), and my aunt would have just been born, so I'm glad that this great childhood memory has been confirmed. Incidentally, the same grandparents had a Super J with the gold hose and power nozzle (quite possibly the gaudiest vacuum Electrolux ever made!) which I always busted out when I was visiting.

After all this, of course I busted out the 57 for a little cleaning!

An Updated Shot of the Grandfather and Grandson

In my post on the 30, I included a picture of it next to what was then the newest model I owned, the Guardian C154B. Since acquiring the C154E, it seems appropriate to feature the oldest and the newest together. Actually, I happen to be using the C154E as my upstairs machine right now, and I thought I'd also take out the 30 for a little light work (I do like using my older vacuums, but I'd never over-use them).

Its fascinating to note that there is approximately 70 years in the difference between these two models, and yet the basic design is the same. The only real noticeable change over the years is the location of the power cord and the direction of the exhaust (from the rear end to the top). When something works, it doesn't need much fixing.