1980's Whirpool Vaccums - Who Made Them, Thoughts?

[bensvacuums]

I have obtained an unopened new Whirlpool 2000 upright vacuum that I believe was made in the mid to late 1980s. Does have any background on these machines? From the replacement bag pictures I have found on the internet - they look like they may have been made by Singer (similar to the Kenmore's of the time)?

I haven't opened the box yet as its so rare to find one unopened!

 

[panasonicvac]

Those were made by Whirlpool themselves, I have the grey Kenmore self propelled version. The Kenmores similar to Singers were made by Ryobi, I have the Kenmore Heavy Duty version.

 

[paul]

Some Sears - Whirlpool Info.

Hey Brian,

Re: your comment on thread 45575, thought I'd respond here to keep from hijacking OldCrankman's thread.

You're welcome for the Jet-Flo ad!

I found some online sources that give more specific information to your musings.


1957 - Whirlpool takes over Birtman Electric and begins making Kenmore vacuum cleaners
1985 - Whirlpool begins manufacturing its own upright models: FV2000, FV4000, FV6000, FV8000 (the concurrent canister models are prefixed with FC-) according to ads
1990- Whirlpool and Matsushita join to manufacture vacuum cleaners at Danville, KY.]
?? - CVR-2000

Photos:

1. 1965 U.S. Subcommittee Hearings on Patents, Trademarks, & Copyrights - Vol. 6 , p. 225- Sears & Whirlpool
2. 1985 Aug 20 ST. PETERSBURG TIMES - Whirlpool vacuum models FV2000, FV4000, FV7000
3. 1987 Sep 1 VINDICATOR - Whirlpool 2000, 4000, 5500
4. 1990 Jan 5 DAILY NEWS - Whirlpool & Matsushita
5. Whirlpool Type U Dust Bag package for models: FV2000, FV4000, FV6000, FV8000
6. Whirlpool Type C Dust Bag package for models: FC3000, FC5000, FC7000, FC9000

 

[eurekaprince]

Thanks Paul! It’s interesting that though the joint venture in Danville started in 1990, it would be a few years before you would see “Made in USA” Panasonic vacs coming out of that factory. Until that time, Panasonic Jet Flo uprights would be shipped over from Japan, and Kenmore uprights would still be made by Whirlpool and Singer.

 

[paul]

You bet, Brian; back at ya—I always appreciate your knowledge!