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.

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.

A Trend That Still Echoes Today

Presenting the AP100, made in Canada by Electrolux Canada, between 1973 and 1977, in colors befitting the '70's, namely a sort of pinkish-beige.

I bought this machine (made in 1977) from a fellow collector, and, as far as I know, the only (standard) attachment missing is the crevice tool. Unlike the American models, which featured the combination tools, the Canadian models right up until the 80's had all separate attachments with a storage caddy.

This is definitely a standout model in the history of North American Electrolux, mainly because its the first to be made entirely of plastic*, but it does have other features that both set it apart from previous machines, and provide the prototype for models to come.

1. The body mould, style, and features are still used to this day, albeit in a modified form. The body consists of two halves, held together by the side bumpers, and the whole machine assembles and reassembles somewhat like a puzzle, with pieces slotting here and fitting there, exactly like the plastic machines that followed. The placing of the switch, automatic bag full shutoff dial, handle, blow port, filter, and filter cover carried over to all subsequent plastic models as well, with modifications over the years.

2. The top mounted, "electrostatic" after filter was used on all subsequent models, and is still used on current models (Classic and Legacy).

3. The vacuum-end hose connector became the standard for all subsequent plastic Style C models, including the current ones.

I believe, although I can't be sure, that the AP100 shared the same motor as the later 89...they certainly sound the same, and both are rated at 5 amps. Naturally, the AP100 is louder, but is still very quiet, and has more than enough power to do the job, a lesson that vacuum manufacturers of today could profit from.

Earlier AP100s featured a beige telescopic wand, but this was abandoned in favour of the "sheath", not one of Electrolux's best inventions, as it can really only be sensibly used with the power nozzle and/or the bare floor brush. I suppose the telescopic wand was a little flimsy, as the upper part was only a single layer of plastic, but the sheath really takes the cake, as far as I'm concerned.

The earlier hoses for the AP100 also featured the trigger to control the power nozzle, another feature that should have been kept. I personally don't like having the power nozzle running all the time unnecessarily, which is why the trigger handle and the Style R handle suit me down to the ground. The hose handle also featured the sliding suction vent control, as opposed to the for-the-birds knob (I'm really a VERY lukewarm fan of U.S. Electrolux and its features at best**).

One notable thing about this model and others that followed it is the minimalist styling...they look very functional, with little or no decorative touches, and the "Electrolux" and "AP100" have been reduced to a small area on the top of the (removable) after filter cover. I always found it strange that the company would minimize their name in that way, unless they figured that the shape and style would be enough to show what brand the machine was.

When this machine was introduced, I was a (very) wee lad, and consequently saw scores of them in use in my younger years. Altogether, the AP100 is a machine ahead of its time, if you ask me.

*I know there are vacuum "purists" (can't believe there is such a thing, but there you are) who dislike plastic machines simply BECAUSE they are plastic. Aesthetically speaking, there may be some truth to their assertions, but for everyday, practical use, I infinitely prefer the plastic body models, and, as evidenced by this 35 year old model, they can stand the test of use and time. Come to think of it, it really doesn't look all that bad, either.

**I mean the machines that were solely produced and sold in the U.S. as opposed to those made there and sold there and in Canada.