1935-36 Apex Restoration...found!!!!!

[rugmaster37]

So, during a recent clean out of the bedroom, and moving the bed, I found under the headboard area my old digital camera, which was so bad I had to buy my newer Kodak model.

BUT...Inside were some pictures that I took during my restoration of the Apex upright that I brought with me to the 2008 convention.

For those who did not attend, this is the machine that won an award along with Andy Weter's Royal Standard this year.

So without further ado, here are my restoration pic's that I took with the old camera. Hope you all like them.....


Please follow lthe link to the Photobucket Slideshow to see the pics.

Thanks,

Chad

Ann Arbor Michigan....

http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc199/westinghouse1963/Apex Restoration/?albumview=slideshow

 

[charles~richard]

Hmmmmmmmmmm... and WHAT were we doing with a digital camera on our bed? hahahahahaha!!

Great photos! and that IS a gorgeous machine. I have two of them in incomplete condition, between the two I think I can get one good one although the swivel mechanism is whacked on both of them.

 

[rugmaster37]

(((((((((((((((((BLUSH)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Nothing... I was uh......NOTHING...lmao.

Seriously I got mad at it, becasue it wouldn't come on, so I tossed, (actually threw it) across the room, and it somehow ended up under my bed.

That's what I get for buying cheap shtuff! And some rounds thru anger management courses!!!

Oh!!! I hope that you can make one out of the two that you have. I think it's a positively wonderful cleaner, and quite unique, yet uniform looking thing. It just has qualities you know.

My swivel mechinism was totally whacked out also. There was so much buildup, that the neck wouldn't swivel back and forth. Dried grease and gritty dirt caused that. I just dissassembled and cleaned it out, and replenished with a spot of petroleum jelly, and it was off to the races ...

Thank you Charles tho for the compliment. Coming from someone who "really" knows how to restore a machine. Your rebuilds/ restorations are ALWAYS breathtaking..

Chad

 

[truckerx]

Chad...

What a great machine. It is an absolutely stunning example of art deco design. I love and collect deco vacs too but don't have any quite that nice. Attached is an old coffee-can motor Kenmore with a slatted headlamp that you might like. Thanks for the slide show, it was fun to see.

 

[truckerx]

Deco Kenmore

close-up

 

[truckerx]

Deco Kenmore

last one...

 

[truckerx]

Restoration....

the "before" photo

 

[rugmaster37]

old coffee-can motor Kenmore

Bernie....

WOW!!!!

That machine is awesome. I've never seen a Kenmore that old that is still in running condition.

I mean you see the "Bug eye" models, but never ones like this. They are usually beyond salvage or just don't exsist.

Glad to see another "Art-Deco'y" rug pounder saved...

Thanks for your before and after shots!!!

Chad...

 

[truckerx]

Thanks Chad...

I am absolutely enamoured with your Apex. I don't get around that much, or should I say, there is nothing in Florida (collectible vacuums) to get around about - just 60's and up plastic. Chances of finding an older machine are nil. I'd LOVE to have an Apex of that quality. To me, the decomaniac, that is probably the most stunning machine of that era that I have yet to see - the metal work, the bag, everthing about it - just fabulous!
And BTW, if you ever come across another that might be available, please do let me know. It would be right up my alley. D

 

[petek]

They're both great looking vac. I'm jealous as all get out cause nothing like that ever shows up around here either.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Bernie, what is that stove??? Is that a 1965 GE? It looks just like the one my sisters and I grew up with. My Mom still uses it everyday. I am looking everywhere to find parts I need to rebuild it for her as she will not have a new stove.

 

[luxg]

I also enjoyed seeing both of those vacuums, that is a beautiful Kenmore which I have never seen before. Thanks for sharing.

 

[truckerx]

Phillip...

That is indeed an older GE stove. It was in my cabin in the hills of Pennsylvania when I bought the place 10 years ago. It probably is a 60's GE. BTW..it was a wonderful stove. The Calrod elements heated quickly and could boil water in no time. The newer glass top stoves just don't do that. I sold the cabin two years ago. It has since been demolished and a new home stands in its place. Don't know what they might have done with the stove.

 

[portable]

WOWWWWWWWWWW

Chad - That is just a BEAUTIFUL Apex. What a restoration you did! I remember going to meet Stan Kann in LA several years ago - he showed me this exact model. I was just blown away. There is nothing like it that's ever been made. And your restoration is mind-boggling. You know, Ihave never seen an ad in a magazine for that model, either. Apex really was not all that heavy an advertiser after the 20s (until the 40s). Anyway...a beautiful job. I see why you won an award!
John L.

 

[portable]

Hey Bernie -

That is one beautiful Kenmore. I like the way that the headlight is semi-integrated into the housing. I have done a lot of research over the years in the Sears catalogs, and I don't ever remember seeing this model. What a beaut!

 

[luxg]

Maybe I missed it Bernie, but do you know what year that Kenmore would have been?

 

[truckerx]

Terry...

...I going to estimate the Birtman-built Kenmore Deluxe to be in the 1920's. Turned upside-down, it's pretty much the same mechanical architecture as the later model Imperial Automatic, better known as the "bug-eye." The reasons I believe this to be an early machine, are the outboard electrical connections found on the back of the motor and of course the fabric cord. As wth Chad's Apex, both machines appear to share coffee-can type motors and unusual slatted headlamps. The high-style Apex really has "eyeballs," whereas with the Kenmore, a much more primitive appearance..

 

[luxg]

That makes sense Bernie, thanks for the information. Terry

 

[vintagehoover]

That Apex really is a stunning machine; I'm so pleased I got to try it out at the Convention! Of course, it looks all the better now for your hard work.

As I've mentioned before, we had that machine over here as 2 Vactric models; the Airflo, and the Senior (a cheaper version without the swivel 'Witchway' handle!)

I want to download and edit the film I took of your Apex in action, and put it on YouTube for you. I'll try and get it done this afternoon.