2 additions to the collection, courtesy of Electrolux

[turbo500]

I had a visit from our very own Rob & Paul today (turbomaster1984 & turbopowerpaul) who brought me these 2 lovely early 90's Electrolux uprights. These came from Rich in Bristol originally and were going to be scrapped, so were going free. Rob & Paul very kindly offered to hang onto them for me and bring them over as I don't drive. Anyway, big thanks to Rich, Rob & Paul for your help with these. First up, we have a lovely Turbo 2 z1070. This was the very last of the 500 style cleaners, only in manufacture due to popular demand and ran as late as 1994. They were VERY budget cleaners, as the Glider & Contour (and later, the Airstream) were all above it in the line up. These first appeared in 89 but were discontinued in 1990 in favour of the Glider. However, due to popular demand they were put back into production as Electrolux's budget cleaner and sold in their thousands. It was not uncommon for a little old dear to come in with her 500 or 502 and trade it in for the newer, more sleeker and certainly sturdier Turbo 2. 


 


 


I actually REALLY like this vac. For some reason, it's a lot easier to use than my earlier Twin Turbo. It has decent suction (although not great - my 550 actually has more suction) and the pick up is acceptable. IMO, the removal of the beater bars was a big mistake. The 2 straight rows of bristles don't do much for the carpet either - I'd much prefer it to have angled "chevron" style bristles like the 600 series. 


 


It was a little bit minging when I got it. It was blocked, caked in dust and had a LOT of scuffs and scratches on it. It was also missing a bag. But it's cleaned up nicely and now works a treat


 

 

[turbo500]

and next up, funnily enough, from the same era, a first run Electrolux Contour Boost z1450. Unlike the later varipower model, the boost featured a "boost" button than increased the motor for 30 seconds to help shift stubborn dirt. A rather fun, if not pointless, feature. 


 


This was, I believe, the top end cleaner in the first run. It was quickly replaced with the varispeed, which is virtually identical and later became the mid-range when the airstreams were launched. On it's launch, this was the most powerful upright ever at 800w. It does have amazing suction power, that's for sure. 


 


This one needed virtually nothing doing too it. A bit of a wipe and polish and that's it really. Also needs a new bag as this one smells like wet dog, but that's not exactly a problem. It does have the wrong hood (notice it says "varipower" instead of "boost"), but I am on the hunt for the correct one. 

[this post was last edited: 9/13/2012-16:01]

 

[turbo500]

Whilst off hunting today, Rob picked up this lovely Hitachi CV-775D exclusive in second hand shop near me. Not much I can say about this one, as it is virtually identical in performance and use to my CV-975D that I have already posted about, but thought I would share a snap anyway. I know this one really belongs on the contemporary forum, but nevermind

 

[turbo500]

Here is a bit of an over-view of the Lux range, showing how both cleaners fit in at the time. This one is actually from 92, so shows the later varipower Contour. But as you can see, no difference to the naked eye. 


 


z1070 Turbo 2 - 550w single speed upright, 3 height settings, tools included


z1250 Glider - 600w single speed upright with full height adjustment & triple air filtration


on the original Glider run in 1990, there were 2 other cleaners - a blue Glider Boost and a salmon pink Glider Pulse. These featured variable boost power and the Pulse had cord rewind. Both of these were discontinued by this point


z1410 Contour - 600w single speed motor, on board tools with full height adjusment & triple air filtration
z1450 Contour - 600w dual speed motor with 800w boost,  on board tools with full height adjusment & triple air filtration

 

[gsheen]

I am looking for a contour2 , I love that style of 500

 

[sebox4bristol]

Hi Chris, gald you like them and they went to a good home. The Turbo 2 looks fab, can't remember if I told you that it came from a little old lady with 4 cats!

Rich

 

[turbo500]

Welcome Rich! Nice to see you on here. Thanks again for both cleaners, I'm really pleased with them. 

 

[turbo500]

Gareth, why in particular are you after a contour 2? They really weren't all that different from the contour 1. 

 

[sebox4bristol]

Ur welcome and thanks, haven't been on for I while so long infact I had forgotten my username, had to rejoin lol. Speak to you soon.

Rich

 

[vintagerepairer]

Contour2 cleaners had a stair cleaning hose, looped handle, longer mains lead, and nonreusable dust bag. The performance was certainly no better that the more basic Contour range which ran alongside it. I liked the Z1070 upright. Even though I had a shop reparing cleaners, when the Co-op near to me ran the last lot for £50 in 1995, I wanted to get one for my mother to replace her Electrolux 504. As it was, I went for a Panasonic which even at cost price was more that the Z1070. It did at least have the tools fitted to it.

 

[turbo500]

Benny, the Contour 2 didn't all have looped handles. My Nan had a yellow 1100w contour 2 that was no different from the Contour 1 aside from the higher wattage and more basic graphics. Only the high end ones had looped handles

 

[vintagerepairer]

Hello Turbo500. So that I'm clear we're on the same page, could you tell me what your understanding of the Contour 2 is?

 

[turbo500]

The cleaners that have "Contour 2" written on them...

 

[vintagerepairer]

Yes, but what I am meaning is, do you think they replaced the Contour 1 as it has been called here?

 

[turbo500]

No. The ESP Contours came in between. Then the Contour 2.

 

[vintagerepairer]

Yes, that is what I wanted to ascertain, as it has caused me some confusion in the past when attempting to order parts. I remember well how in 1994 Electrolux updated their Contour ranges and fitted foot pedals to lower the handle. That was a much better idea. They also added the letters ESP as you mention. But very soon after came the Contour 2 ESP range which was on sale alongside various Contour ESP cleaners. The differences between the ranges were as I mentioned. However, I have yet to see as Contour 2 without the looped handle, though of course there were a good deal of models to choose from. Your grandmothers cleaner sounds like an interesting variation.

 

[turbo500]

Nan (great grandma) had a later one - maybe 97 or so. She had a Hoover high power compact before that. It was yellow with black writing, 1100w single speed. It had Electrolux written up the side like a Panasonic. The graphics on it were very basic - kind of like the ones on the later Hoover Turbopower 2's. They almost looked tacky. And it had the straight handle. I seem to recall it ran alongside the flexi head model.

I'll do some digging tomorrow through my various brochures and catalogues to see what I can find about the ESP and contour 2

 

[vintagerepairer]

Thank you for that. I would enjoy seeing some pictures of cleaners, just for old times sake really. I always thought it was rather stupid of Electrolux to have so much confusion in their Contour cleaners. Unlike Hoover who called their upright Turbopower2 and Turbopower3 when on sale at the same time, Electrolux inexplicably named theirs Contour ESP and Contour2 ESP. As I say, confusing, as both ranges were on sale together and it would have been much easier to call the more basic models Contour2 and the top-end models Contour3. Factor into this too there was one called the Twin Turbo and an Elite going back even further, the names of which had already been used by Electrolux on completely different cleaners. I must suggest I had no idea there was a Contour2 without a looped handle, as this feature was one of the so-called selling points and a reason to choose a Contour2 over a Contour. Not that I think the looped handle made a lot of difference.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Pedals fitted to the Contours

They were a good idea. My Electrolux 'Airstream 1000' never had a pedal, it used a friction lock which was rubbish. When trying to raise the front of that machine by pressing down on the handle, one frequently found that the cleaner head simply flopped down onto the floor.