Panasonic 40 & 50 series

[turbo500]

So Paul has spurred me on to try and piece together some history about the Panasonic 40 and 50 series machines.

Anybody who was around in the late 80's/early 90's will remember seeing these - they were EVERYWHERE. There were at least 5 that I knew of on my street or neighbouring streets. I grew up with a white Panasonic MC-E44 from 1992. I know they're not everyone's taste, but I love them! I currently have 2 - and MC-E44 and a later MC-E47 (pictured below).

 

[turbo500]

Here is all the info I have managed to source so far:


1988 line-up:

MC-E41. White, 600w (smoked clear plastic tool compartment cover)

1989 line-up:

MC-E41N. White, 650w
MC-E42. Light grey, 650w, variable power
MC-E43. Dark grey, 650w, variable power, headlight

1992 line-up:

MC-E44. White, 700w
MC-E45. Light grey, 700w, variable power
MC-E46. Dark grey, 700w, variable power

MC-E53. White, 900w, variable power
MC-E54. Light grey, 900w, variable power, cord rewind
MC-E56. Dark grey, 900w, variable power, cord rewind, headlight

late 1993/early 94 line-up:

MC-E44. White, 700w
MC-E47. Dark green, 700w, variable power

 

[turbo500]

The first and second generation 40 series are almost identical to look at, apart from some of the writing style on the front of the cleaner around the bag full indicator.

From what I can tell, the last of the 40 series machines were still on sale as late as 1994/95, but these could possibly have been clearance stock.

The 40 series was replaced by the more sleek looking MC-E450 (and subsequent higher spec 400 series machines). Performance wise, this cleaner was no different to the 40 series as it used the same 700w motor and same style beater bar.

There was only 1 run of 50 series cleaners until they were superseded by the 500 series. The first 2 500 series cleaners (553 in white and 554 in dark green)were not all that different in design from the 50's. They had upped the motor to 1000w and made the hose longer. It wasn't until about 1998 when the Icon was launched that Panasonic totally redesigned the 500's. Unfortunately, I don't have any pics to show of the later style 500's.

So if anyone out there has any additional info or corrections to the info above, I'd be very interested and grateful to know about it. Any catalogue or brochure scans would also be nice . A few pics of various machines to follow.

 

[turbo500]

MC-E42 in light grey with 650w variable power alongside the larger MC-E53.

 

[turbo500]

Later style MC-E553 alongside the last of the 40's, the MC-E47.

Note the 553 isn't all that different from the 53 above. The hose is longer and the motor is 1000w as opposed to 900w (not that I've found any difference in performance between the 2)

 

[turbo500]

MC-E554 in dark green. Same as the 553 but with cord rewind

 

[turbo500]

the cordwinder

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi

Hi Chris,
Nice collection of vacs. The 40 series Panasonics was never my fave series I always prefered the 50 series.
The only 40 series I would like is the MC-E43n But I always thought/remember the 43 being more of a blue/navy colour. And when I look at my late 80s brochure it looks more dark blue/navy colour.

I remember my old teacher bringing me it in to school for me to fix.
I thing it was blocked up with pine needles.

I think the only 50 series I would like is a MC-E54 as I have the 53 and 55.
MC-E55 being my fave of the 50 series)

James)

 

[vintagerepairer]

Hi there. If I can add some information for you, the original MC-E40 cleaners did indeed have the smoked tool storage cover, but you will also notice that they all had a space in the cleaning head for the head lamp. On models MC-E41 and MC-E42 cleaners, the head lamp lens had been substituted for a colour-matched panel instead. These cleaners hit the stores as far back as mid 1986.

These cleaners then underwent a slight overhaul, with a redesigned roller (the original roller was liable to lose it's end brushes), solid-colour tool storage cover, and no headlamp space in the cleaning head of models MC-E41 and 42.

With the introduction of the 650watt motor came the introduction of seperate hose to attach to on-board hose.

After this, and before the model number were changed to 44, 45, and 46, the cleaners were given a mini make-over, with more pronounced letting, a thicker, glossy mains lead, and what seemed like no end of sticky labels all over the cleaner, warning the user to keep the mains lead and small children away from the roller.

There was a bit of fuss on Watchdog in the early 1990s as some children had been sticking their fingers in the revolving brushes. This led to the introduction of covers for the end brushes. They were avaliable as an after-market option for older models and became standard on newer ones.

 

[turbo500]

Hi Benny,

Thanks for the info on the early 40 series machines. I've managed to acquire the optional extension hose recently. Based on info from the manual's, I think this came as standard with the top 2nd generation top end machines but was extra to buy for the lower end.

I've never actually not seen one of the models with the smoked plastic tool cover in years, so they must be getting pretty rare now.

I did notice that the difference in performance between the 650w and 700w models is actually quite astonishing for only a 50w increase - was the motor totally redesigned?

Regarding the end caps for the brushroll, neither my 44 or 47 have the end caps, despite being later models. Do you know when Panasonic started fitting them as standard?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[vintagerepairer]

Hi there.

Well first things first. Once the extention hose was released, it was avaliable for all three cleaners in the range. I think it may have been because the Electrolux Contour -for which was Pansonic's biggest competitor in my mind- had a longer hose that the 600 series ever did. The Panasonic had been alright until then, but after the Contour, it had to compete.

Sadly, I cannot remember the models which came with the introduction of safety guards over the end roller brushes. The cleaners with smoked covers were always the rarest. I think the plastic was too hard and brittle.

Now the difference in suction bewteen the 650 and 700 watt motor. Well, I can't remember if they were the same motors but I am fairly sure they were different. However, the notable difference in suction will almost certainly be down to the static fans being clogged on the 650w motor. This happened all the time on this type of motor. The only way of getting the fan cover off the motor is to saw one side of the metal cover with a hack-saw, and prise it off. You can then wrap insulation tape around the cover, to ensure a tight fit when replacing it after cleaning the fans.

The other major problem with this Panasonic range was that the rear wheels always wore into the casing of the cleaner.

 

[vintagerepairer]

Also, and I did not make this clear, sorry, in my original reply to you I said:

"These cleaners then underwent a slight overhaul, with a redesigned roller (the original roller was liable to lose it's end brushes), solid-colour tool storage cover, and no headlamp space in the cleaning head of models MC-E41 and 42".

What I did not make clear was that these cleaners still had 600w motors. The 650w motors came later on. I thought later than your suggested 1989 but I cannot remember with any certainty, so I shall leave that one alone.

 

[turbomaster1984]

To add, ~Our matching Green 47, to chris's blue one.

Still using it as a daily machine, I really quite like it.

 

[turbo500]

Rob...

..mine and your 47's are identical. I don't think they did one in blue. Glad to see you're liking it though. You can see why my Mum loved the 44 and used to use that over our Legend 2 - it's lightweight, powerful, decent pick up and practical to use.

 

[turbomaster1984]

Chris you jest?

I swear that picture you posted on fb came out blue. Il have to go and look now but it defo struck me as being Royal Blue. I dont remember seeing a blue one but wouldnt of put it past anyone considering the 1994 - 1998 fashion of Royal Blue/Racing Green/Pillarbox Red schemes.

 

[turbo500]

No, it's definitely green with gold writing lol

 

[turbomaster1984]

are you sure? is it in the catalogue? can you point to it?

 

[turbo500]

are you sure? is it in the catalogue? can you point to it?

Is it a sorbet??

 

[kenkart]

I See some Kenwood!

Mixers!! a rare thing around here!