AP 100

[sireluxomatic]

Here's my latest acquisition, which came from Doug Smith a few days ago; Canadian Electrolux model AP 100. That pink/brown/beige body is very fitting for the 70's, I think. In fact, it was quite popular as I was growing up, maybe second only to the model 89 in terms of actual machines I saw in use. On the street where I grew up (and am staying now), there are 6 houses on our side. One of them had an AP 100, and two others had the AP 280...a small testament to the popularity of Electrolux, I suppose.

This is a complete, all-original set (minus the crevice tool, optional sprayer and de-mother), and I'm happy to have it in the collection.

 

[sireluxomatic]

Note the freshly vacuumed carpet, courtesy of your humble se

This machine is a pretty good performer, despite the leaky hose (too bad original Lux hoses leak so badly), and the power nozzle is quiet compared to other Lux power nozzles. It really seems to have set the standard in terms of design for all of the subsequent Electrolux machines (save the Renaissance/Guardian style).

 

[luxg]

Very nice machine Bob. I love the fact that they had seperate rug tools and floor tools. I wonder if the rug tool was standard with the power nozzle machines?

 

[sireluxomatic]

Hi Terry. According to the AP100 manual, the rug nozzle was optional; I'm not sure about earlier models, although I do have both the power nozzle and rug nozzle for the green model 89.

 

[countryguy]

I bought an AP280 new in 1981. It came with the power nozzle but not the rug nozzle.

Gary

 

[sireluxomatic]

Hi Gary. I actually think those Lux rug nozzles do a pretty good job on carpet, provided its not too thick. Do you still have the original hose for the AP280, and does it have the trigger switch? My hose doesn't have it.

 

[luxg]

Thanks for the information Bob!

 

[sireluxomatic]

Terry, I just looked at my Z89 manual, and the power nozzle is listed as optional, with the rug nozzle standard. There's no date on the manual, but the power nozzle is model PN II (same design as the US PN I), so I would say it's around 1967-8. It would seem (I stand to be corrected) that during the run of the Z89 (1967-1973), the power nozzle gradually became standard, and the rug nozzle an option.

Actually, I like having both attachments, not only for the sake of completeness, but because the rug nozzle does a good job on low pile carpet.

 

[countryguy]

Hi Bob,

I don't have the AP280 any longer. I traded it in when I purchased my Lux 6500s. Stupid me, I should have kept it. But yes it did have the hose with the trigger nozzle. I also have an '89 with all the original attachments, hose with trigger nozzle, power nozzle, etc. The rug nozzle does do a good job on very low pile carpet. I sure wish they were still being made. They are much better than the machines Aerus is currently making.

Gary

 

[sireluxomatic]

Change is not always good

I know we've discussed the Lux wands and hose handles before, but what significant changes and/or improvements have been made to Electrolux vacuums over the years, to the point that newer ones are better?

1. The hose with the electrical connection in the machine end seems more convenient than the pigtail.

2. The L-shaped power nozzle is a little more maneuverable.

3. The Sidekick.

I really can't think of anything else off the top of my head, and anyway, the L-shaped PN and the Sidekick can be used on any of the old machines, so there really isn't a lot that has dramatically changed. All the things people know and love about Electrolux...the trigger handle, telescopic wand, quietness of the motors...it disappeared.

All this being said, its really more nostalgia that draws me to the older machines than issues of performance and usability (although these are very important). If I had been young in the late 1980's, I might consider the Diplomat or 2100 to be the best machine.

 

[collector2]

Hi:

Re: the rug nozzle. Up to the first Ap100's the vacuums came with the rug nozzle and the power head was an optional accessory. Around 1974/5 they reversed it and the Power head became standard with the rug nozzle being optional.

The later models 87 and 89 were the first with power hoses and came with the trigger handgrip. A trigger handgrip was also available for the earlier 87 and 89's which had the cord attached to the hose (the cord plugged into the handgrip instead of the wand). The trigger handgrips were used on the 100, 280, E2000 and early 2100's. The late 100's and Ap200's didnt have a trigger on them but the company was forced to go back to it as people liked it so much. (The AP, SAP and ESpecial all had cords on the hose but the option of the trigger handgrip).

When production of the 2100's shifted partly to the states the US handgrip without the trigger came into use and was NOT well recieved but, as per usual, the US company ignored the Canadian market and refused to go back to the trigger, even though they already had the dies to make a trigger handgrip which had been in use on the E2000 and earlier 2100's and were still making them as replacement parts.

Doug