Electrolux Model 20 on eBay

[electrolux137]

Here's a very rare bird. Interesting how all the ones I've ever seen (including mine) have missing handles. I can only assume that the compound that Electrolux used for the Model 20 handle did not stand the test of time and deteriorated or easily got damaged.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221280444866

 

[kenkart]

A Rare bird..

Indeed!! This is one I have never found, I dont think they made many of them.

 

[dysonman1]

I got this model 20 many years ago. Interestingly, the filter (same filter as model 30) goes in front of the motor, instead of behind it. Motor is different than the one in the model 30. The model 20 was the economy model (think of it as Electrolux's version of the Hoover 300). At $49 it was $20 less than the model 30. It's louder than the model 30, and has somewhat less suction. Since the cord (same as model 30) plugs in at the lower side of the rear housing, they ingeniously have a cord hook on the front of the machine, making the cord easy to 'wrap' even though it was (like the model 30) completely removable. The model 20 was made for two years, quite an investment in setting up the tooling to make it for such a short period of time. I'm sure the salesmen LOVED it, because (like with the model L) you always had something you could demonstrate well and sell to people who just couldn't spend the extra $20 - which in 1940 money, was like an extra $200 today.

 

[williamr1248]

Electrolux model 20

Thanks for the picture Tom. Charlie and I have talked about this machine before as my grandmother bought her's in 1940. Hers had a gray hose with orange tracers and the floor brush was finished in gray and DID NOT swivel. It had the same style sofa brush and dusting brush but it was in gray not chrome. The rug tool was very different from the model XXX too.
You are correct on the price as I have her original sales slip when it was purchased. As I remember is it was lighter weight than the XXX and the tubes had the Electrolux emblem stamped on each. It was a very good machine as I remember it was very quiet.
It was my thought that the 20 was the only one available when she purchased as all other family members had already purchased the 1937 XXX.
The cost would not have been a factor as she had wanted an Electrolux for several years. When I was very small I would make her tell me the story of when the Electrolux man came to the door over and over.
Hard to believe but back then the Electrolux was quite the rage compared to the old dust blowing uprights of the era.

 

[dysonman1]

Hi Rob:
The model 20 may have been the only one the salesman had in his car the day he came to see your Grandmother. As it was brand new in the box, she wouldn't have known that it was the economy model, only that he demonstrated it, and it worked better than what she was using at the time. With the filter in front of the motor, it would have kept the motor much cleaner, but you can understand why I said it was louder than the model 30 - the back of the motor was directly behind the exhaust opening with no muffling.

 

[williamr1248]

Electrolux 20 on ebay

Tom,
I bet you are correct. She was very happy with the machine and very happy to trade in her 1936 Kenmore Deluxe upright and Kenmore Jr.
They used that Electrolux XX until some time in 1958 when her mother passed away and she got her model XXX Electrolux.
I have never seen the instruction book for the model XX.
The Electrolux's kept her wool carpets very clean for many, many years.
The only thing ever replaced was the filters and a new hose for the XXX.
Very different time with horse hair rug pads and all wool carpets.
The Electrolux was always used downstairs on Friday and it was my mom's job to use it to clean the upstairs on Saturday.

You are also correct in that the XX was louder than the XXX but back then all the machines were QUIET compared to what we have today.
Tania and were talking about how the old Air-Way 55, 66 and 77' were so quiet. Even the "B" Rexair is quiet by todays standards.