Compact

[chan55]

Today's vac of the day is the Compact with a pretty fancy lady promoting it.
I know nothing about the Compact. History anyone? Do they work well? Are they still made?

 

[kirbysthebest]

From what I've been told.

The pretty lady; is a man.

Compact per se, is still made under the name Tri-Star.

Here is a link to a past post, and a pretty good history. Way better than I could ever tell it.


http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?6542

 

[kirbysthebest]

Comact thread, mentioned cross dresser.



http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?5634

 

[caligula]

Here's the story of the Compact Cross dresser.

It was supposed to be a standard photo shoot for the cover of the Compact Electra's instruction book, and assorted advertizing. All things were in place, room set up, clothes designed (or bought) and so on. Then disaster struck. The woman who was to pose for the picture either failed to show, or called in sick, at any rate the photo shoot was about to be postponed. Then one of the crew offered to 'get into costume.' Nothing more is known about this, but clearly this is a man in drag, and it was done at a time when this sort of thing was rare. I can only assume the reaction of the crew, the whistles, off color remarks, and so on. But one thing is clear, he saved Compact a lot of money by not having to reschedule the photo shoot.

Perrsonally, I'm not into the cross dressing scene, but I have to admit this guy IS stunning!

 

[kirbysthebest]

Thank You Alex

I knew I had heard the story, but couldn't remember the specifics well enough o tell it.


 


I had searched the archives last night and this morning.  To tell the truth, up until I had heard the story; I always thought it was Yvette Mimieux. 

 

[caligula]

Yvette Mimieux is it?

Hi Kirbysthebest:

I've told this story before, so what I posted was a short version which lacked the detail. I'll try to find the original so you and others can read it. As to where I first heard this? I think the credit goes to the late Craig Long, he really had a memory! Mention any instruction book and he could recite it word for word. Here's a picture of him in my living room in May of 86 for the second meeting of the V.C.C.C.. As to the Air-Way, he brought that to me from Buffalo, New York. And Craig was the only member who was an overnight guest, all others stayed at the Stardust motel on my corner.

 

[caligula]

And just to make sure there are no off color remarks. Craig and I were just friends, NOTHING HAPPENED, so don't go there!!!

 

[blackheart]

Compact!

I don't know anything about the ad, but in terms of performance they work very well my CXL is probably my most powerful canister.
They were a very simple machine, a case, a switch, a motor, a cloth bag, and a paper bag, very easy to service and barely anything to go wrong. They also used what they called a "wingtip vortex" which guided debris to the front of the cylindrical bag which kept the area closest to the motor free (mostly) of debris.
They are still produced but they were sold to Aerus (electrolux) a while back, everything from the EXL on up is produced by Aerus. If you go looking for one I'd say look for a CXL, DXL, maybe an EXL or CS. The MG1 and MG2 while nice looking machines both utilized the VM3 motor which gave them poor airflow.

 

[dartman]

Looks similar to many other good canister designs. I have a couple of newer Royals I really like with good power heads and they too are very powerful, simple, and easy to repair as long as you can find the parts.
In fact I vaguely remember actually having a similar Electrolux we replaced a TriStarC9 or similar we gave to a family member when they need a decent vacuum. I don't remember thinking it was good or bad, I did like the TriStar though.

 

[chan55]

compact

Wow,never even thought about the lady,just the vac! IF you closely,her face could look manly without makeup, and her feet are quite large.............

 

[caligula]

To say nothing of the hips!

 

[luxflairguy]

The "woman" has NO adam's apple!

 

[kirbysthebest]

The Adam's apple, or protrusion of the Larynx would be more difficult to see with the angle in which the model's head is turned.    Then again there a men without much of a protrusion, and there are women with very large Adam's apples. 

 

[vacerator]

The photo add,

the gold plaid herculon sofa, the outfit, shag carpet, circa 1970-1975.
I don't think she's a man, but nor do I care.
Interstate Engineering, ElSegundo California made the Comnpact and Revealtion vacuums, then the Tr-Star company bought the tooling.
No other canister vac had a similar shape. It's designers were airplane designers first. With the decrease in post WW2 needs, they came up with a consumer product.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I heard about the 'man' thing, too.

If you look closely, but, he/she DID a great job, AND, indeed, saved the day and tons of $$$. The posing, etc is perfect.
I've seen women with 'original factory parts' who couldn't come close to this person.

 

[suckolux]

I think Howard Hughes asked for a compact vac to clean his airlines, twa? I know they were used on TWA

 

[kirbysthebest]

Well then Mike

There is only one answer.  We will have to do like they do in NASCAR and "tear her down for inspection."


 


 

 

[vacerator]

"tear her down

for inspection" No thanks, but have at it if it intrigues you.