silverfish513
New member
Got this gal for $10 and she is a great runner. Toggle switch is broken and it causes the unit to stay on so I use a rheostat to fix that. But yeah, I really like this budget model vacuum.
(1970) Eureka model 238F automatic upright vacuum.
- Thread starter silverfish513
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vacnerdmike
New member
nice grab, can't beat these classic Eureka vacuums
Congratulations! You seem to have a good working knowledge of vintage Eurekas based on your photos (thank you for posting them). In case you are unaware, the 238-F was one of the last of the 200 Series to be made. It began in 1947 with the S-246 and was produced for 25 years; being phased out by the 2000 Series that originated in 1969 with the top height adjusters (Rugulator and Dial-A-Matic). The budget 1400 Series that debuted in 1973 still featured the "automatic" model-types along with the budge adjustables until at least 1990.
Fyi, your last photo shows the production "dial", and it appears to me to read "5 4 72" or May 4, 1972. That was the last year the 200 Series was manufactured. The time "dial" was only stamped on some of the cleaners made on certain production lines and does not always indicate the exact time of a cleaner's production; rather it indicates when the base itself was manufactured. I learned this when someone had mentioned the age of his Eureka, and I found introductory newspaper ads for it were several years later. It seems, then, that Eureka had used its overstock for that model-type.
Another item is that your 238-F's agitator, called a Disturbulator, has the beater bars. According to newspaper ads I have located, the original one would have had only brushes, which were introduced circa 1972. The 238-FB ads were the only ones to indicate that it came with the beater-brush roll. I wouldn't bet on that, though, because the late production of yours may have come when the brush roll inventory had been depleted, or my research is inaccurate. Just a bit of trivia for you.
One last item, in case you are unaware is that the Eureka nameplate is removable to allow for a hose attachment.
Attached is the latest ad I located for the 238-F from the Jan 24, 1971, issue of the SPOKESMAN-REVIEW (V-M is for Valu-Mart).
Great vintage score! Euphoric Eurekaing!
Fyi, your last photo shows the production "dial", and it appears to me to read "5 4 72" or May 4, 1972. That was the last year the 200 Series was manufactured. The time "dial" was only stamped on some of the cleaners made on certain production lines and does not always indicate the exact time of a cleaner's production; rather it indicates when the base itself was manufactured. I learned this when someone had mentioned the age of his Eureka, and I found introductory newspaper ads for it were several years later. It seems, then, that Eureka had used its overstock for that model-type.
Another item is that your 238-F's agitator, called a Disturbulator, has the beater bars. According to newspaper ads I have located, the original one would have had only brushes, which were introduced circa 1972. The 238-FB ads were the only ones to indicate that it came with the beater-brush roll. I wouldn't bet on that, though, because the late production of yours may have come when the brush roll inventory had been depleted, or my research is inaccurate. Just a bit of trivia for you.
One last item, in case you are unaware is that the Eureka nameplate is removable to allow for a hose attachment.
Attached is the latest ad I located for the 238-F from the Jan 24, 1971, issue of the SPOKESMAN-REVIEW (V-M is for Valu-Mart).
Great vintage score! Euphoric Eurekaing!
