Best looking vacuum ever made.

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I am reaching here, but I think the early Kenkart machine you refer to may be a Britman? design/ motor? Telltale sign is a bit of a " bark" on start up. My best guess.
 
Best sounding

I like the sound of the Electrolux XXX.
The Eureka Princess canister was a very pleasant sounding machine.
I am very fond of the Royal 880. A great cleaner, not a screamer.
The Hoover convertible is very pleasant sounding, more vroom, than eeeekkkk.
 
Birtman

Birtman was a Chicago company that made several private label machines, as well as their own Bee Vac, Sears was their best customer as they made vacuums, blenders and mixers for Sears , Sears instigated a Whirlpool takeover of Birtman in 1957, The Kenmores made before 1958 have the Birtman built motor, Lamb 4450 and 4750 after 58, Birtman built their own motor which cost much more to make than did the Lamb.Lamb had several different motors, the 4250 was made up until about 54 , then the 4450 came out, the 4750 came out in about 60 or so, each was some what more powerful, the 4250 was I believe the first Lamb,before that they were Black and Decker.
 
Kirby Classic 3 and Philips P74 Electronic

My ultimate most beautiful upright is lovely Kirby Classic III
Just all that shine and presence. I am not so fan of G-series.
I try to find one from the US that is rebuilt. Then I need voltage converter from 220v to 110v.
Most beautiful canister award goes to the Philips P74 Electronic. I was very lucky to find one. It's a mid 80's flagship Philips model with a swivel top. Just love the shape and it has the most smooth sounding motor what I have ever heard. It was expensive when new and it has also very good airflow for a old canister. 93 cfm from the hose end.

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I would have to say for me the most attractive looking vacuums ever made are the slim silhouette early Hoover Convertibles especially the 69 in it's beautiful color. Also next are the non power drive Dial a Matics and all of the Concepts.
 
What a difficult question to answer as everyone is going to have their own opinion on what looks nice. I really like the look of the blue Kirby (can't remember the model), the Miele upright is quite good looking, I think the Sebo D4 is a nice looking machine. I also like the Sebo Felix. Not only nice looking but a very unique design. The Kirby Heritage II is a handsome machine and the Avalair has a nice look to it. Generally, I like Miele canisters for their looks.
 
Me being

an art deco fan, the E-Lux XXX has the best looking floor tools, then Compact, as is their little piggy hammered metal canister design.
I'm also partial to colors of blue, deep reds like burgundy, and turquoise.
 
Had/ have so many of these...

I have a compact C4 stashed away ...great tools. Got that one from Charles...ig garage clean out in 2004 as well as the Electro 30, blue G & a D50 & of course the big joke of the day was when they snuck in Ugly Betty while I was not looking!!!!
What a fun day!!!!

Had or have many of these & just taking a trip down memory lane of all the vacs I've had the pleasure of interacting with..

Had the electrolux 30 (great metal tools w sleigh, other 40's 50's ancient ones when young, 1205 grandmas, G blue & tan ...love sound on those!, brown one Jubilee?, silverado, the 90's one can't remember name & have only the upright discovery type left...I have 2 with one needing the bottom hose replaced which I bought but never installed.
Hoover can't remember all but most memorable was the 63 motor growl which went to someone on this site, tan constellation in college, had that burgundy elite but did not like the square design tubing inside which always got clogged...

Rainbow...different,
Royal 880 which I still have & was a daily driver. Have a really nice royal bagless in purple which is in storage.

Filter Queen probably my favorite for filtering & its my daily use vac especially for cleaning around bird cage. I have 2 31's & 2 33's & one pinky 31 that's just good for the cannister & it needs a hose

Kirby...well made had lots of D50's & a tradition which may have used F&G bags...they always picked up dirt even after you vac'd so I used to think it had to be rung fiber or padding dust but very powerful just not thrilled with the dump out design & filtration through cloth bags.

Sanitaire commercial

Eureka ESP...still have

Ugly Green Betty...won award for most ugly!

Riccar 8950 in blue...one of my prize for grooming the carpet & rediscovered the pleasure of using it lately alondg with her Simplicity 7350 Green clone.

It got to be too much with wall to wall vacs so many had to go.

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