Electrolux 550

[turbomaster1984]

Started my week off work with a trail around the local charity and second hand shops this morning with fresh hope that a great weekend would pass its joys on into the week.

First place I called into had this fab Lux 550 upright, One all children of the 80's and early 90's knew so well due to Casdon making a toy version. The one toy I pestered unrelentlessly for Christmas after Christmas until my parents gave in.

Fast forward 20 years and Im now pleased to say I have both Toy and Real versions.
Dunno which one I like the best though LOL!

Fingers crossed for some luck on Wednesdays car boot sale.

 

[turbomaster1984]

Lux 550

 

[turbomaster1984]

550

 

[turbomaster1984]

Spot the Red Roundel!!!

Should it stay or should it go????? shows the History the machines had with servicing but should the Red Roundel scar this machine?

You decide.

 

[turbomaster1984]

Tool and hose port

 

[turbomaster1984]

Insert hose here

 

[turbomaster1984]

Hood

 

[turbomaster1984]

Height adjustment

 

[sireluxomatic]

Nice vac, and a tough decision

Nothing at all against Hoover, but I'd probably take it off, just to preserve the "Lux-ness" of the vacuum.

Bob

 

[turbomaster1984]

Under that hood

The Lux 502, Twin Turbo's and Turbo 2 we have seem to lack the power this one has. Suction on the hose is far better on this one than the others and using it in upright mode is far superior. It really does grip the carpet well and does some serious beating despite being having the same innards as the other models,
Character???

Bristles on the roll seem nice and stiff not to mention quite long.

 

[turbomaster1984]

Ratings plate

Is anyone able to accurately date the machine?

 

[turbomaster1984]

That badge

 

[vintagehoover]

Hi Rob - as you say, a very familiar cleaner from childhood!

A lot of people seemed to have these: in our area, people seemed either to have one of the Lux 500-series, or a Hoover Turbopower! My cousin also had the little toy version of this cleaner. When she outgrew it, it was given to me, but I have no memory of what happened to it.

I had a toy Hoover Turbopower - I begged for it for Christmas one year! I'd only had it a few months when the handle snapped off, and my mum threw it away. On some level, I've probably never forgiven her... lol

A long time ago, before I started collecting 'properly', I used to have quite a large number of the Lux 500-series uprights and the Twin Turbo variants. Refined and quiet motors, but they have that characteristic 'buzz' from the brush-roll.

My auntie had a 560 (I think!), with the electronic power control and the light-up on/off button. It always seemed odd to me as a child - I felt the on/off button should light up when the cleaner was running, not when you switched it off!

 

[turbomaster1984]

Hi Jack,

These 500 series were not that popular around here. Just enough of them though to create a curiosity.

Out the the 10 houses in our street cluster we had

Turbomaster X 2
Lux Contour
Lux Airstream x 2
Turbopower TS and TP 2's
Vax 121 x 3
Kirby Heritage

The 500 series in the family were few and far between and only relatives we hardly kept in touch with seemed to have such machines.
Perhaps I would be more familiar with them if these relatives had been in the scene more.

Its not a machine I was particularly out to add to the collection nor have I been that bothered by ones on ebay however seeing this earlier this morning has sparked a new interest and brought back a few memories. Everytime I glance at it a smile appears.

A possible Icon of the times? Our times I suppose.

Now can anyone tell me which world famous public house used the Lux 550 to clean its bar?
Answers on a postcard its just for fun.

 

[turbomaster1984]

Have just made a couple of videos, one of the Lux and 1 of the Sebo.

Noticed the Lux makes a similar noise to the Sebo with its gentle hum but upon closer realisation when they were stood together they both have similarities.

1.Square head with protrusions each side.
2.The largish sticker on the hood although the sebos does have the warning lights integrated into it
3. The central strip running up the front of the cleaner with features listed.
Also the way both cleaners square off above the bag and proceed into a really slim handle.
4. Both have bags which fill from the top.
5. On/Off switches in the same position on the handle.

 

[turbomaster1984]

Side by side profile

 

[turbomaster1984]

...

 

[rickenbacker]

great machines...

I love the 500 series, there a brilliant breed of vacuum cleaner.I have a 550 toy that I got when I was only a year old!
of course through general wear and tear a couple of years after I got it the sticker on the front came off so my mum drew a face on it lol. A couple of months back I had the pleasure of using my first real 500, a 502S that I bought for only a fiver off a good friend of mine (he owns a strange little shop full of goodies and gives my family stuff cheap!) Its a real joy to use, a bit like the constellation in some aspects in the sense that its easy yet unique. My nanny had one of the later ones but all I can remember is that it was white and was called a turbo 2, what happened to the lux? your all wondering, well it sat in a garage for about 4 or 5 years until my grandad got sick off seeing it and very rudley smashed it to pieces and threw it away (still dont forgive him and Im one of the most forgiving people you will ever meet!)

happy hooverin

Charlie

 

[turbo500]

"I had a toy Hoover Turbopower - I begged for it for Christmas one year! I'd only had it a few months when the handle snapped off, and my mum threw it away"

OH MY LORD!! Jack, I had a toy Turbopower. I think it was red. I was VERY young. I thought I must've made it up because I've never seen one since. I remember the handle snapping on mine too and my Dad trying to glue it together but having no luck. It went in the bin and I got a swanky toy Lux Contour to replace it with, which I was rather happy about.