Crazy For Kenmore!!

[compactelectra]

Well, another box just arrived on my doorstep. I have been good for a while and have stayed away from Ebay, but two machines that I really wanted just came up and I couldn't resist. The first was the green Kenmore Ken-Cart that I showed in a prior thread, but this one came today. A machine similar to this one was the first vacuum cleaner I remember. It was my mom's and the one she was using when I was two so she couldn't hear me screaming in the basement when I stuck my hand in the wringer washer. Quite a precocious child, huh? Her's was a lower model than this one and I remember it having lousy suction. This one, from Kenny Smith in Indiana is a beaut and has fabulous suction. It is complete and all original. The suction on the machine end is great, but the hose does leak a bit. I was amazed at how unmarred the machine is. Check it out for yourself. Front glam shot.

 

[compactelectra]

Back Shot

Complete except for the de-mothing attachment. And all original! Hardly a scratch on her.

 

[compactelectra]

Sears Kenmore Ad Sheet

For this Ken-Cart

 

[compactelectra]

Here Is The Other One

The green Ken-Cart which was slightly later and updated. This one has a replacement hose (which I will use when I vacuum with the brown one) and a replacement cord. The dusting brush is also missing, but still a great machine nonetheless. I should have posted pics before I cleaned and polished it up. The bag came almost full of dirt. The bag was run through the Maytag Neptune and came out beautiful. The aluminum polished up real well on the polishing wheel. Charles Richard, you must post pointers on polishing, I don't think that I quite have it down.

 

[convertible68]

Fred, BEAUTIFUL vintage Commanders, especially that teal/green Ken-Cart; thanks for sharing. Was the one your mom had on a cart, or just the "horizontal tank" version?

How many of those Kenmo's do you have, since these new beauties have arrived? Hopefully you'll soon find the elusive TOL Lady Kenmore canister, with power nozzle no less!

 

[compactelectra]

Another Kenmore

This one is a Kenmore Saturn. It won "Most Historical Value" at the St. Louis Convention. It is from the late 50's and unusual since it has a totally integrated electric hose. Tania had the Lady Kenmore match to this and sold it. I should have grabbed that one when I had the chance!

 

[compactelectra]

My Mom's

Was the horizontal version. I am sure my dad wouldn't have popped for the fancy model. You can see it on Charles Lester's site at www.137.com at the Kenmore page at http://www.137.com/museum/sears.htm. It is the top one in the Commander secton For those who haven't seen Charles Richard Lester's site, it is well worth the visit!!

 

[hygiene903]

WOW!! What a great pair of Kennys! My folks also had a brown horizontal model they used in the basement and for cleaning out the cars when I was a kid. But ours was a little older yet. Everything that is chrome on yours was burgandy on theirs--the handle & switch, side trim & clamps, and the "nosecone" were all burgandy, just like your attachments. It also had a few more attachments-an upholstery brush, similar to the floor brush but smaller, and a felt floor polisher, both of which slid onto the upholstery nozzle. It also had an attachment box which could be stored flat or hung up. I still remember the prrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeennn sound it made when you turned it on!!!
Jeff

 

[sudsman]

Fred

VERY nice!!!!!!

 

[luxg]

Oh Fred, those are just to beautiful!! I can't wait to see them in person. The brown Kenmore on the cart brings back many memories for me as well. I knew two people that had them but of course I could never "play" with them. Also knew someone that had just the tank model. The Ken-Cart is a beautiful machine as well. Thanks so much for sharing those wonderful machines with us.

 

[myvacsrock]

I too am crazy for kenmores!! MY DREAM VACUUM IS A KENMORE DUO-POWER!!!!!

Kyle

 

[charles~richard]

Kencart

I remember one family who had one of these. I never saw it used but saw it standing in a corner of their garage several times, where they always kept it. It was the brown version with the silver "nose cone" and light tan woven hose. I think the design of this machine is just fabulous and was clearly inspired by the shape of the atomic bomb! I also like the start-up "chirp" which to me sounds more like "virrrrryyrt" !

 

[hoover1060]

Did somebody say Kenmore?

How about a pair of Lady Kenmores, Sears' Best Powermate models 2699 and 2799 from 1976 and 1977

 

[hoover1060]

If a canister is not your thing...

you may find this 1966 Duo-Power upright with attachments more to your liking...

 

[hoover1060]

They called it duo power because..

it has a two speed/twin fan motor, which gives it very good tool suction.
Here is how the hose attaches...

 

[compactelectra]

Kenmore Ken Kart Instruction Manual

OK - Check it out. I have added the Instruction Manual for the Kenmore Ken Kart to the Owner's Manual Section.

http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?dir=/OWNERS_MANUALS/Kenmore Kencart

 

[petek]

I have the matching green 75 Lady Kenmore Duo Power upright self propelled. At least I hope I still do because when we did the big cross country move two months ago and I put all my vacs in storage I can't remember unloading it. I guess I'll find out later this week when we move in to the new house. I can't remember leaving it behind because as I did the final cleanup in the house I was using one of my two blue Kirby Traditions and I left one of those behind because there was litterally no room left in the moving van, my car, or our truck. Bags for them are no longer available Sears bag 20.5025 and/or 20.5026 but I lucked into a bunch of them only last week at a junk store. I am really gonna cry if it's not there.

 

[hoover1060]

Duo Power...

Pete I hope you still have it!!
The Duo Power was not the greatest of vacuums by any stretch, but I feel it does hold an important place in history because it was the only other clean-air upright on the market in the 1960's and 70's besides the Hoover Dial-A-Matic.
They are VERY rare tod

 

[petek]

Not only that it holds sentimental value as well. I bought it brand new in 75 shortly after I got my first real job after college in my new apartment. It was a very expensive purchase for me back then but I was bound and determined to have it!!!