collector2
Well-known member
The machines I dont have any pictures of are the models 90A and 115 (Both big wheels I believe) and the models 200 and 220 (similar to the 210)
Anyone have one of these?
Anyone have one of these?
Early Lewyt history.
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chan55
Well-known member
early Lewyt history
Nice collection of Lewyts. How and when did they become Shetland/Lewyt?
Nice collection of Lewyts. How and when did they become Shetland/Lewyt?
collector2
Well-known member
Hi John:
In 1961 the Lewyt Co. went bankrupt thanks to lawsuits over a problem with the models 111 and 121 (Explained in a previous thread). As part of the bankrupcy sell off the name and some of the patents and tooling were bought by the Shetland co. At the same time the patents and tooling for the big wheels machines was bought by Holland Electro who continued to make a similar machine right up into the 80's in Europe.
In 1961 the Lewyt Co. went bankrupt thanks to lawsuits over a problem with the models 111 and 121 (Explained in a previous thread). As part of the bankrupcy sell off the name and some of the patents and tooling were bought by the Shetland co. At the same time the patents and tooling for the big wheels machines was bought by Holland Electro who continued to make a similar machine right up into the 80's in Europe.
vintagerepairer
Well-known member
Any chance someone could point me in the direction of the thread regarding the lawsuits? Thanks.
eurekaprince
Well-known member
My mom's mom (Grandma Molly) had the copper/brown Model 70 when I was growing up in Montreal! She used to let me play with the tools and wands and pretend I was vacuuming whenever I came to visit without my parents (I knew Dad did not approve of my love of vacs).
I could never figure out why the carpet nozzle had that button! I think the button released some sort of bar underneath, but I could never figure out why anyone would need that bar sticking out. I remember trying it a few times, but I don't think it ever really helped to lift the nap of Grandma's thick plush wall to wall carpeting. It just seemed to make the nozzle jump a lot...
I could never figure out why the carpet nozzle had that button! I think the button released some sort of bar underneath, but I could never figure out why anyone would need that bar sticking out. I remember trying it a few times, but I don't think it ever really helped to lift the nap of Grandma's thick plush wall to wall carpeting. It just seemed to make the nozzle jump a lot...
eurekaprince
Well-known member
Oh - one more thing:
The Guidebook shown with the pink model 103 was the exact same one I found with Grandma's Model 70. It was kept in a little cardboard Lewyt Tool Caddy box with the rest of the attachments.
The lady on the front of the manual shows you how you should properly hold the hose while cleaning floors and carpets: the hose handle is held by your active hand, it then makes its way behind you (just hugging the lower part of your back) and then your other hand holds onto a nearby stretch of hose for pulling the canister behind you.....
I'll always remember this hose handling position for canisters! And it was taught to me by Lewyt!!!
The Guidebook shown with the pink model 103 was the exact same one I found with Grandma's Model 70. It was kept in a little cardboard Lewyt Tool Caddy box with the rest of the attachments.
The lady on the front of the manual shows you how you should properly hold the hose while cleaning floors and carpets: the hose handle is held by your active hand, it then makes its way behind you (just hugging the lower part of your back) and then your other hand holds onto a nearby stretch of hose for pulling the canister behind you.....
I'll always remember this hose handling position for canisters! And it was taught to me by Lewyt!!!
collector2
Well-known member
Hey Brian:
The button realeased a bar underneath the nozzle which raised the front of the nozzle up so you could clean shag carpets more easily.
Doug
The button realeased a bar underneath the nozzle which raised the front of the nozzle up so you could clean shag carpets more easily.
Doug
eurekaprince
Well-known member
Thanks Doug! Mystery solved - 45 years later! :-D
mister299
Member
Great history lesson!
Awesome collection. Are those all US models or are some of them Canadian only? Also, I have never seen a model 210, are they extremely rare? I have seen many advertisements but yours is the first actual vacuum I have seen.
Awesome collection. Are those all US models or are some of them Canadian only? Also, I have never seen a model 210, are they extremely rare? I have seen many advertisements but yours is the first actual vacuum I have seen.
collector2
Well-known member
Hi Andy:
There was no difference. They sold the same model in Canada as the US. All made in the US.
The 200 series was a last ditch effort before the company went bankrupt so there probably arent alot of them around. I've only ever seen 3.
Doug
There was no difference. They sold the same model in Canada as the US. All made in the US.
The 200 series was a last ditch effort before the company went bankrupt so there probably arent alot of them around. I've only ever seen 3.
Doug
vintagerepairer
Well-known member
I guess not then.
collector2
Well-known member
Just another interesting note. Up till the model 97 (1957/8) the attachments matched the machines.
The first of the 97's had a blue crevice tool and a purple small nozzle (possibly using up the left overs from the 77?) then later ones had the plain white parts. Likewise the first 103's had the same pink parts as the model 81 but the later (brown) version has white parts.
Like too many other companies they must have decided to cut costs by just making the generic white parts for everything.
In an interesting reversal when the Shetland co. took over Lewyt they again began colour matching the parts to the machines.
The first of the 97's had a blue crevice tool and a purple small nozzle (possibly using up the left overs from the 77?) then later ones had the plain white parts. Likewise the first 103's had the same pink parts as the model 81 but the later (brown) version has white parts.
Like too many other companies they must have decided to cut costs by just making the generic white parts for everything.
In an interesting reversal when the Shetland co. took over Lewyt they again began colour matching the parts to the machines.
I had a model 77 ,still have the 2 wands and the floor /
carpet tool with the red adjustable lever and the wide metal brush . I got the entire unit back in the 80's for free from a neighbor who was moving. I just had to remount the small caster wheel back on . seemed to work ok no noise just not a lot of suction . I used to call it R2D2.
carpet tool with the red adjustable lever and the wide metal brush . I got the entire unit back in the 80's for free from a neighbor who was moving. I just had to remount the small caster wheel back on . seemed to work ok no noise just not a lot of suction . I used to call it R2D2.
Russian "Lewyt".
Very interesting story! Lovely vacuum cleaners!!
I would like to purchase one of them!
I saw on Ebay Lewyt model 55, but without motor and tools. It's a pity!!
The interesting thing was that in Russia was manufactured russian
version of "Lewyt"!
It was renamed to "Moscow". This vacuum cleaner had a nice
crystallite paint, 127V voltage and there was some differences
in the tools. This vacuum cleaner was manufactured for the government.
Afterwards factory began to produce vacuum cleaner version called "Uralets".
This version was for citizens. "Uralets" first version was still crystallite paint
and 127V. Afterwards it was repainted in the usual hammer enamel and voltage
was 220V.
(When the government ordered to move to 220V, vacuum cleaners and other appliances began to be manufactured at European voltage. Vacuums "Uralets" also began to do on 220V).
I now know that Lewyt model 66 vacuum stopped producing in 1955.
In Russia, this model made right up to the 90s!!
P.S! This photos a not mine. Because I can't find this "Moscow" vacuum in my
country. Vacuums "Uralets" I do not have too.I tried to get one but I did not succeed.
It's very beautiful vacuum cleaner!
What do you think?
Very interesting story! Lovely vacuum cleaners!!
I would like to purchase one of them!
I saw on Ebay Lewyt model 55, but without motor and tools. It's a pity!!
The interesting thing was that in Russia was manufactured russian
version of "Lewyt"!
It was renamed to "Moscow". This vacuum cleaner had a nice
crystallite paint, 127V voltage and there was some differences
in the tools. This vacuum cleaner was manufactured for the government.
Afterwards factory began to produce vacuum cleaner version called "Uralets".
This version was for citizens. "Uralets" first version was still crystallite paint
and 127V. Afterwards it was repainted in the usual hammer enamel and voltage
was 220V.
(When the government ordered to move to 220V, vacuum cleaners and other appliances began to be manufactured at European voltage. Vacuums "Uralets" also began to do on 220V).
I now know that Lewyt model 66 vacuum stopped producing in 1955.
In Russia, this model made right up to the 90s!!
P.S! This photos a not mine. Because I can't find this "Moscow" vacuum in my
country. Vacuums "Uralets" I do not have too.I tried to get one but I did not succeed.
It's very beautiful vacuum cleaner!
What do you think?
collector2
Well-known member
Hi Daniil:
Very interesting pictures. They are a good looking machine.
Doug
Very interesting pictures. They are a good looking machine.
Doug
