Canadian Electrolux ZB55 Owner's Manual

[watsonw]

Now that's my idea of a luxurious 50's Lux. I once had the Swedish built ZA55 which had certain features of a higher quality compared to its Luton made version, but nothing like that Canadian machine....if only we could buy something like that now ?

 

[collector2]

Just a few notes to add. That same manual was used for all three versions of the ZB55 as well as the Z54 and Z57 (But these two also came with a 4 page flyleaf describing the differences in the machines)

It should also be noted that the neat dusting brush shown in the pictures never actually made it into production here.

Re: engish versions for z30soulbrother - from the pics I have the ungroved plate is from the ZC62. The vaporizer was available for the ZC55 over there (same one). The really neat one came with the ZC25 - it was octagonal in a marbled green/black. There was probably still a vaporizer available for the 62 but that would have been when they changed to the style that went on the other end of the hose. I've included a poor pic of a ZA55 that I got off the net some years back that shows the vaporizer with the machine.

 

[charles~richard]

I have posted some of these before, but in the interest of furthering the thread, here they are again!

First is my oldest Canadian machine, a Z30. I also have one with the "alligator skin" leatherette but it's out in the garage.

 

[charles~richard]

Here's an ad for the UK version of the Z30.

 

[charles~richard]

The Z-54. I love the color scheme of this machine - maroon bakelite ends with blue leatherette. Lovely!

Interesting, from an American standpoint, that this was the economy model so it came with the "inferior" attachments -- combination rug/floor tool and combination dusting/upholstery brush, as opposed to the four-attachment set in metal. I never have figured out why the Canadian Electroluxes held onto the old XXX-style attachments for so long -- right up into the 1970s -- and considered them more "deluxe" than the more-efficient and handy combo tools.

 

[charles~richard]

The later version of the Canadian air-powered turbo tool.

 

[charles~richard]

And my favorite of all the Canadian machines, the Z-89.

(Eh, Doug, I still can never keep straight what the differences were between Z, ZA and ZB!)

 

[arh1953]

You gotta love that Canadian design Electrolux!

 

[charles~richard]

Another UK Ad...

 

[normvac]

Love every frame of this thread! thank you Dave and again
Charles-Richard for sharing !
Norm

 

[vintagevacs4me]

Thanks Dave for the great pictures!

I love all those different tools that were available for this model. I wish we had those here in the States. The only thing missing for this model was a saddle type tool caddy. I'd love to find one. But i have feeling here getting pretty rare now-a-days.

 

[luxg]

That was really fun, thanks for posting it. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they made instruction books like that today?

 

[charles~richard]

Saddle-type tool caddy

 

[charles~richard]

 

[collector2]

Yes they did make the tool saddle for the last of the model 55's as well as a cord reel. Both are extremely hard to find in my area (I hanvn't got either one) even though there are all sorts of 55's around. I have to assume that the dealers here just didnt use them much - opting instead for the handi kits.

Re: Z designations - from what I have seen Z is the series letter - A designates a Sweedish machine, B a Canadian machine, and C an English machine. I dont know if there were any other designations. I have noticed that some of our models, like the 54 and 57 were actually labeled just Z54 and Z57 so I assume they were unique to Canada and not made in other countries.

 

[z30soulbrother]

thanks doug

Thanks doug form that bit of info. We absolutely loved our z55. So quiet so powerful and versatile. As my mom and dad said time and time again, the best £28.00 they ever spent. 1951 to 84 is a long time to have a working vac as your house vac. They had 2 replacement filters and 1 replacement cord connecter in that time. When it went in the skip SCREAM (not my doing i can assure you!), it had the origional bag in it!!! amazing what can you say? The hotel i work at bought 2 cheap lux cylinders 6 months ago 1 has already been skipped the other has a split taped up hose that leaks, and the cords are 9 foot long max. Absolute rubbish. What the hell went wrong? This is a company that made the Z30 and its siblings, you tell me!!!cheers doug you take care,

Si

 

[z30soulbrother]

TOOL CADDIES

I must admit i never saw them here in uk. By the way just remembered something my parents used to do when i was a child with our z55, they used it as a hairdryer and took the bag out and put a hot water bottle in instead!!! That is the truth!! I just remembered!!

si

 

[sireluxomatic]

Absolutely beautiful manual, not to mention an even more beautiful machine. I remember my grandparents had that model sitting in their basement...pity its long gone now.

Dave, that "Lux Tower" looks great!