The 20th Anniversary of the 75th Anniversary

Yes, it's been 20 years since the Electrolux Guardian 75th Anniversary Model C134A was released, and I've now had my specimen for six years. Still looks great, and still works fine, with all the original gear intact. Luckily, I'm using the 75th as my upstairs non-carpet vacuum for a while, so I figured an anniversary photo shoot was in order.

The only things I don't have are the owner's manual and the combination rug/floor tool with matching grey bumper. Otherwise, I'm quite pleased with my set. This is a significant vacuum in Electrolux/Aerus history, being the first with the name 'Guardian', and the first with a HEPA filter.

Also, just because this is an even more significant vacuum, here is the original, '1st gen' Renaissance, the Guardian 75th's 'father', if you like, in action. As mentioned here, the Renaissance turned into a vintage (25 year old) vacuum just last year. Absolutely gorgeous.

The One That Got Away

A couple of posts ago, I said that the machines presented were the last remaining in my collection to be featured in this blog. Well, I was in the vacuum room this morning, spied the ZB 55 3rd version sitting there, and realized it had never been featured (at least in its own, standalone post). So, to rectify this error, here is the ZB 55:

This particular model was made in 1957, the last year of production for the 50 series machines, and is thus 60 years old as of this year. Its virtually identical to the 55 2nd version (except for colour, of course, and I think there may have been some differences in attachments), and was sold along with the 54 (bottom of the line model) and 57 (top of the line model). As with all the other 50 series machines, this is a quiet, capable performer, and still works fine. In fact, I decided to put it into service for the week as the downstairs vacuum!

I don't think I have many of the original attachments for the 55 3rd version, though I vaguely recall a blue-bumpered floor brush and dusting brush hidden away somewhere.

Bottom view:

Metal ratings plate. Made in 1957, as noted above, and rated at 3.8 amps.

The bottom of the line model, the 54, shares the same body covering as the 3rd 55, I believe, but has a bright red nameplate (gaudy!) and brown Bakelite ends. I still don't have this one in my collection.

Just for the hell of it, here is the view from the closet (i.e. the current upstairs vacuum). Not a bad thing to see when you open your closet door:

My Style R Electrolux and Aerus Lineup

Just for the heck of it, I felt like taking some shots of all my Style R vacuums. I don't have all of them, of course*, but this is a good representation of machines from the beginning to the end of the run.

Back row, left to right: Aerus Lux 9000 C134F, Aerus Guardian C154B, Aerus Lux Guardian C154E .

Front row, left to right: Electrolux Guardian 75th Anniversary C134A, Electrolux Epic 8000 C133A, Electrolux Renaissance C104H, Electrolux Renaissance C104A.

Electrolux Style R models, clockwise from top (Guardian 75th C134A, Epic 8000 C133A, Renaissance C104A, Renaissance C104H). These are much better looking than their Aerus counterparts, partly because most are missing the HEPA filter and are thus much more streamlined, and partly because gray is a nicer color than pale blue:

Aerus Style R models (Guardian C154E, Guardian C154B, Lux 9000 C134F):

As an addendum, here is this week's cleaning team: the white, grey, and red Epic 8000 and Epic 3500. It's certainly a fetish with me, but I do like to use similarly colored and/or styled machines when I'm using them in pairs, not to mention the fact that I like to use all the original and/or matching attachments with a particular machine.

It's difficult to say whether one of these is my favourite. Certainly, the Renaissance C104A blows the others out of the water in terms of looks (and for that matter, it does the same for all other Electrolux and Aerus models, before or since), but the two newest machines, the C154B and C154E, have more power than the others. Like I said in another post, comparing machines is difficult. Each model or series of models has something distinctive and interesting about it. In short, there's good to be found in everything.

*Just to keep it straight, I don't have the Electrolux Guardian 75th Anniversary C134B, Electrolux Guardian Encore C134C, Electrolux Lux 9000 C134D, Electrolux Guardian C134E, and the Aerus Lux 9000 C154A (assuming this model exists). Funds permitting, and reasonable prices offered, I'd like to add these to the collection.

More Epic-ness

There are many joys in collecting Electrolux and Aerus vacuum cleaners. One of them is undoubtedly having models from different eras of the company's history, and another is owing a complete "set" of a particular model line. Electrolux and Aerus, throughout the years, always made a top of the line and bottom of the line model, and, sometimes, a middle of the line model as well, not to mention a corresponding upright in later years.

Today, with the arrival of my latest purchase, I now have a complete, all-original set of the Epic series in white with gray and red trim (manufactured between 1997-9*), namely the top of the line Epic 8000 cylinder, the middle of the line Epic 6500 cylinder, and the Epic 3500 upright**. All of these machines are in near-flawless cosmetic and running condition, and everything on them is original and intact. To say I'm happy would be a huge understatement...I'm ecstatic.

Epic 8000 

I've wanted an Epic 8000 for a long time. Its arguably one of the nicest looking Style R models, and when I look at it and the other models, I find myself wishing Aerus had continued with this style for its high-end model***.

The full ensemble. Absolutely gorgeous, if you ask me. I'm not sure if the 8000 came with the combination flip-over rug and floor nozzle, or the dedicated floor brush, but in any case I don't care, because this one matches and works perfectly.

The Epic 8000 is an attractive model, and a great performer. Even though its hard to compare two vacuums with different usage histories, I would put the cleaning performance of the Epic 8000 on par with its "younger brother", the Guardian 75th anniversary. The 8000, however, is slightly quieter, and, even though I'm now used to the looks of the box HEPA filter on the Guardian, the absence of it on the 8000 creates a more streamlined effect.

A shot of "the two companions at their reunion". They make a rather nice matching set:

Attachment compartment. I think this is the best set of standard attachments Electrolux/Aerus ever made, and this set is in great condition. One thing I've noticed: because the machine exhausts out of the attachment compartment, the attachments get quite warm after the machine has been running for a while!

Ratings plate. I'm not sure what "BL4" stands for.

One strange thing about the Epic 8000 (and presumably the Renaissance) is that it exhausts out of the tool compartment, rather than through the blow port. The blow port has a plug that redirects the exhaust air down through the tool compartment, and when the hose is inserted for blowing, the plug gets pushed down and redirects the air through the hose. Clearly they changed this configuration when they added the HEPA filter to the Guardian. I do know that the blow from the Guardian, even on low speed, is almost enough to blow your head off your shoulders, so perhaps there is a good reason for the exhaust redirection on the Epic 8000, and this also gives the machine a quieter running sound versus those that exhaust upward. In fact, I'd be willing to bet the Epic 8000 is one of the quietest Electroluxes since the 80 series (the quietest vacuum cleaners of all time, perhaps?)

Name badge (with a little scarring) + side bumper logo:

The Epic 8000 is so good, even my little nephew has given it his seal of approval:

Presenting the white, gray, and red Epic Series of vacuum cleaners. Call me strange, but I really feel a thrill at seeing this beautiful set. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they all work perfectly and give excellent service.

*The official Aerus model history chart gives the date of the 8000 as 1997-8, and that sounds right, as the 75th Anniversary Guardian came next, in 1999. I'm betting the production dates of the 6500 and 3500 would be 1998-9.

**If I REALLY wanted to have a complete set, I'd add the matching Ambassador III cylinder plus the Floor Pro shampooer/polisher, but unless I can find them at a near free price, that won't be happening.

***I've heard it said that the Guardian Ultra has more power and airflow than the R Guardians, but of course the long cord, variable speed motor, hose handle controls, and adjustable, on-board attachments have disappeared on the Ultra.

Somewhat of a Landmark Model

First of all, as a Canadian and devotee of Canadian Electrolux models, the "75th Anniversary" of Electrolux didn't actually occur until 2007, not 1999 as in the U.S. When Electrolux Canada and Electrolux U.S. "merged", the Canadian side of the history was, in a sense, deleted, even though the models offered after the "merger" and until today are based on Canadian designs (i.e. the 1982 E2000 and 1985 LE).

Putting all that history aside, I'm absolutely pleased as punch to own the very first Electrolux Guardian, 75th anniversary model. This was an eBay buy* that arrived today, thankfully quite intact and in good working condition. Everything is original, even the filter (although I certainly won't be using a 13 year old filter!), and, although the unit is a little dirty, its nothing that a relaxing "spa treatment" won't cure. It didn't come with the Sidekick, combination rug/floor nozzle, or correct crevice tool, but I have enough extras of these attachments anyway. The only other "flaw" is the darker gray power nozzle elbow, but I've since swapped it for a matching one.

Top, with 75th Anniversary badge and logo:

Ratings plate:

One of the things I like about the Electrolux Guardian is that it clearly says "ELECTROLUX" in large letters. Some of the other Guardians have the whole "Aerus by Electrolux" and "Lux Such-and-Such by Aerus" going on**.

Power on and ready to go. I really like this hose handle and its graphics, although the later white and blue handles are even a little bit cooler, with the graphic of the cylinder and power nozzle underneath the "O/I/II":

Guardianing the carpet (which needs to be Rug Doctored again, alas):

"Resting from its labors":

Guardianing the kitchen floor:

The Electrolux Guardian is somewhat less powerful than the later Aerus Guardians, perhaps partly due to the fact that its older, and also due to the different motor, but it does the job just fine. Since I got it, I've been using it a lot.

I'm not sure if this model came with the dedicated floor brush or the combination rug/floor nozzle, but this floor brush matches, and I think it works better than the combination tool. It seems that Electrolux carried on the white-gray-red Epic 6500 and Ambassador III as lower-line models with the Guardian 75th...the first two models didn't change, as far as i know, until they became white and pale blue, presumably to match the Guardian Encore. This seems to put the Guardian 75th in the same league as the first Renaissance as a unique, standalone model. Very fitting for both machines, if you ask me.

I must say, I've developed quite a soft spot for this machine already. It's a bit of a landmark model, being the first Guardian, an anniversary model, and the first machine with a HEPA filter. To my mind, it gets a bit overshadowed by its successor white and blue machines, but with this one and its graphics, colors, logos, and performance, I feel like I'm more "connected to classic Electrolux".

(According to the post count, this is by far the most viewed post on this blog. Not that the Guardian 75th isn't a wonderful vacuum, but it makes me wonder what makes it, at least as far as this blog is concerned, so popular. I suspect it's the "75th Anniversary" designation...the Epic 6500, Ambassador III, and Epic 3500 also had anniversary editions, and a search for "Electrolux 75th Anniversary" could turn up any of those.



*I rarely indulge in buying vacuums on eBay, not because of the quality of machines on offer, or even the selling price, but because the combination of price + shipping + customs fees can sometimes be ridiculous, from the Canadian point of view. Sometimes, as with this Guardian, I can't resist.

**Aerus has certainly gotten a lot of mileage from the "Guardian" name, putting it on 7 different cylinders (Guardian 75th C134A, Guardian 75th C134B, Guardian Encore C134C, Guardian C134E, Guardian C154B, Guardian C154E, Guardian Ultra), the current upright, the air purifier, and heater. I wonder if they'll come up with something new for their next model line?

UPDATE 03-03-14: As it turns out, Aerus has continued the use of the "Guardian" name with the Aerus Lux Guardian Platinum.