Electrolux (UK) Ltd. List of Vacuum Cleaners

[kevin]

I used the Electrolux (UK) Ltd. pamphlets that Doug Smith posted to provide this quick reference list. Additions are welcome, because the list only goes up to 1980 and the pamphlets only included vacuum cleaners; not floor polishers/shampooers, commercial vacuums, or devices.

I'm not sure just how many versions of Electrolux cleaners were made at one time. Did other countries, like the USA, Canada, S. Africa, Germany, the UK, Australia, and France, each have its own subsidiary or did AB Electrolux of Sweden fully own satellite production units in some of them and therefore sell its own models there? Also, are any of them still in operation?

The pamphlets were posted on the thread at this link (#3253, 3/29/2008) : http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?3253


Electrolux (UK) Ltd. List of Vacuum Cleaners

(All are tanks unless otherwise noted.)

1921: Model V (reddish-brown leatherette)
1922: Model VI (reddish-brown leatherette)
1926: Model X (dark greenish-gray leatherette)
1926: Model XI (dark greenish-gray leatherette)
1930: Model XII (brown or black leatherette)
1933-45: Model Z15/Z25 (bottle green, black grained leatherette)
1933: Model 16 (blue, black grained leatherette)
1934-35: Model Z18 (red, black grained leatherette)
1934-35: Model Z24 (red & blue mottled leatherette)
1946-48: Model 116/7 (blue crackle paint; lt. grey leatherette)
1946-49: Model 30 (reddish-brown, black grained leatherette)
1949-56: Model 55 (grey leatherette w/crocodile markings leatherette)
1951-56: Model 48 (reddish-brown w/black grain leatherette)
1957-60: Model 60 (red, black, & white multi-fleck leatherette w/matching trim)
1957-59: Model 62 (lt. grey horizontal ribbed plastic, dark green trim)
1960: Model 64 (ivory horizontal ribbed plastic, sepia trim)
1960: Model 65 (rose red horizontal ribbed plastic, ivory trim)
1965: Model U.137 “Challenge” (lt. grey horizontal ribbed plastic, maroon trim)
1965: Model U.138 “Challenge” (lt. grey horizontal ribbed plastic, maroon trim)
1965: U136 “Trident” (blue-grey horizontal ribbed plastic, lt. grey trim)
1965-68: Model Automatic ZC90 (sage green horizontal ribbed plastic, lt. grey trim)
1967-69: Model 80 (Windsor blue plastic, lt. grey trim)
1967-70: Model 77 (Cambridge blue plastic, lt. grey trim)
1967-69: Model Upright 152 (sage green & lt. grey plastic, lt. grey buffer--upright)
1968-70: Model Automatic 100 (deep sea green plastic, lt. grey & orange trim)
1969-71: Model 91 (flame red plastic, lt. grey trim)
1969-70: Model Upright 160 (mushroom & lt. grey plastic/lt. grey buffer--upright)
1970-79: Model 87 (oatmeal plastic, lt. grey & brown trim)
1970-73: Model Automatic 310 (beige plastic, brown & orange trim/accents)
1970: Model Upright 170 (saffron & lt. grey, lt. grey buffer)
1971-74: Model 94 (Windsor blue plastic, lt. grey trim)
1971-75: Model Twin 500 (medium grey plastic, saxe blue buffer & trim--upright)
1972-75: Model Automatic 330 (charcoal grey plastic; lt. grey, metallic & red trim/accents)
1974-79: Model 302 (pale beige plastic, tan trim)
1974-79: Model 305 (pale ivory plastic; lt. grey, brown, & tangerine trim/accents)
1974: Model 101/Luxomatic (deep sea green plastic, lt. grey & orange trim/accents)
1974: Twin 504 Super (rich golden yellow plastic, midnight blue & brushed aluminum trim--upright)
1975: Model Automatic 345 (brown plastic; brown, dark brown, & metallic trim/accents)
1975: Twin 502 (avocado green plastic, dark brown buffer--upright)
1979: Model 312 (mustard yellow plastic; mustard yellow & dark brown trim/accents)
1979: Model 96 (jasmine yellow plastic w/matching trim)
1979: Model 303 (black plastic w/red trim)

 

[eurekaprince]

It would really be cool to see a large spreadsheet of pictures showing the main Electrolux cylinder model offered in each country in each year...probably a really big project for some Electrolux amateur historian to take on. Just like Hoover, the name Electrolux seems prominent in the world of household appliances in so many countries. And from what I am learning from Vacuumland, there could have been a different style of Electrolux canister sold in 10 different countries in a given year - certainly by the 1970's.

 

[kevin]

Yeah, I agree, but the Electrolux model information available on Vacuumland besides the USA and Canada is pretty limited, and I haven't found any websites like Charlie Lester's or Doug Smith's that feature detailed Electrolux information in a time-lined format made in other countries.

 

[turbo500]

Electrolux were the top brand for cylinders in the UK for a lot of years. The rule generally was that if you wanted an upright, you got a Hoover and if you wanted a cylinder, you got an Electrolux.


 


That's not to say that Lux didn't make good uprights and Hoover didn't make good cylinders, but because Hoover started with uprights and Lux started with cylinders, I think that history still stuck out in people's minds when buying a vacuum. Personally, I prefer vintage Electrolux cleaners to vinage Hoover cleaners, but that's another kettle of fish altogether.


 


We never had Aerus made Electrolux's here. All our Lux cleaners were made by AB Electrolux (Sweden) and mostly at their Luton UK factory.


 


Old Lux cleaners are not uncommon here, especially the 500 and Twin Turbo uprights. Some of the higher end cylinders are a bit more difficult to get hold of. I do know of an old school friend who's parents bought a 303 when they first got married that is still very much in daily use. It does worry me what they would replace it with if anything went wrong, having not bought a vacuum in 36 years and with the market being considerably less quality than it used to be.


 


Sadly, Electrolux have pulled out of floorcare in the UK. In more recent years, they became associated with cheap, inefficient vacuums (largely due to the bagless craze) and their reputation for quality fizzled out. Lux now brand all their high end cleaners as AEG and their low end cleaners as Zanussi. A great GREAT shame. It would be so nice to see Lux reppear as a top end brand.

 

[edgar]

i own a few Dutch ones

Hi i own a few dutch ones. the 65, 69, 103, 345, 320, 305, 307, 311, 80, 100, 350 and 350E, if you like pics or info about the dutch colors, you cab ask me ;-))

 

[vintagerepairer]

The Electrolux uprights were made of many parts, possibly to the detriment of the brand, as this meant that these cleaners could easily and cheaply be repaired over and over again. What manufacturer wants to make a cleaner which never needs replacing?

Cylinder cleaners would keep going until such time the motor burnt out and then many consumers would opt for a whole new cleaner. When uprights went wrong they were put right. This would explain why so many Electrolux uprights dating back well over 30 years can still be found today.

When the 600 series went on sale, it was built to a standard right at the other end of the scale. Those cleaners were wearing-out and falling to bits right from the outset. They came with a free 5 years parts guarentee, but of course that only applied when labour was paid for. Many cleaners didn't last the 5 years.

 

[kevin]

Edgar,

I'm interested in seeing your list & photos of Dutch cleaners.

 

[paul]

Are some of the years incorrect in the 1960s due to production gaps in trim levels? Also, did I get the 1970s trim details correct? Did all have 16-foot flexes?

1960s -

Limited Trim Models
400w motor, push switch, sleighs-no wheels, smaller handle, cloth bag

1960-65: Z64
1965-67: ?
1967-70: Z77a (what does the "a" indicate?)

Standard Trim Models
450w or 500w motor, push switch,, sleighs w/wheels, throw-away bag inside cloth bag

1960-65: Z65 (1960-62 telescopic wand)
1965-67: ?
1967-69: Z80
1969-71: Z91 (w/rear wheels & front guide plate)

Deluxe Trim Models
550w motor, push switch, sleighs w/wheels, automatic flex winder, throw-away bag inside cloth bag, synthetic felt air pad, hose suction control, crevice nozzle w/brush head, whistle stop signal

1965-68: Z90
1968-70: Z100


1970s -

Limited Trim Models
400w or 550w motor, push switch, sleighs-no wheels, smaller handle, cloth bag

1970-79: Z87
1979-82: Z96

Standard Trim Models
500w, 600w, or 650w motor, push switch, throw-away bag inside cloth bag, rear wheels & front guide plate

1969-71: Z91
1971-74: Z94
1974-79: Z302
1979-82: Z303

Deluxe Trim Models
550w or 700w motor, rocker switch, throw-away bag inside cloth bag, rear wheels & front caster, angled flip-over tool, automatic flex winder, hose suction control

1970-73: Z310 (whistle stop signal, flex button illuminates for "Mains-On", crevice nozzle w/brush head)
1974: Luxomatic Z101 (whistle stop signal, crevice nozzle w/brush head)
1974-79: Z305 (bag indicator)
1979-82: Z312 (bag indicator)

Premium Trim Models
550w or 805w (7a/115v) motor, rocker switch, throw-away bag inside cloth bag, rear wheels & front caster, "Mains On" indicator light, automatic flex winder, automatic cleaning head, automatic bag change control, hose suction control, crevice nozzle w/brush head

1972-75: Z330
1975-80: Z345