Electrolux Upright Model 1451E ( Olympia Series )

[keither]

Introducing my latest addition to my Electrolux Olympia Series collection! The machine has exceeded my expectations on cosmetic clean up and performance! Based on its apparent limited use I suspect it was probably stored away for quite some time. Enjoy! No thread hijacking please. [this post was last edited: 10/30/2021-15:40]

 

[huskyvacs]

Oh hey - wow you finally found one! I got one too last fall! You do not see these come up for sale that often.

And wow I never knew there was that big red light on the brushroll housing - I will have to look on mine if I have that - I didn't notice one. Is that a stall light or the bag check light?

Also I read that these used some kind of magnetic gear system to power the brushroll? It was supposed to be some innovative design but it turned out to be so complex that it became impossible to work on for the service men.

I kinda wish Electrolux would have kept making uprights. I think after this one they didn't make any uprights again until the mid 2000's.

 

[human]

Very nice machine indeed.

I believe this model upright was replaced by the Discovery II around 1986. That was the first of their twin-motor uprights, which have continued to be produced under various names pretty much ever since.

 

[keither]

@ Huskyvacs: This is actually my third vintage Electrolux Upright. I also have the Super J , Silverado variants ( Check out my posts ) and now this one. I received one like this but ended up tossing it because it was so filthy. I am not very well versed on the anatomy as far as the gears , but the design is difficult and this machine was considered to be one of Electrolux’s biggest failures. The indicator light at the rear of the base is the bag fill indicator light, which functions like its automatic canister counterpart. Electrolux never discontinued making uprights- they only improved on the design ( Discovery, Epic, etc)

@ Edgar : Thanks For the compliment! The 1451 models ended after the run of the Diamond Jubilee.I believe the Discovery Series was introduced during the introduction of the Grand Marquis ( Model 1521 )

 

[rugsucker]

Keither,

Great and complete upright.Features included height adjuster on all 4 wheels,clean air system,4 ply self sealing bags & more.I haven't seen one this new since they were new!
"--magnetic gear system--"There is a 2 part magnetic clutch with 2 gear belts(unlike Dyson clutch with 2 smooth belts that always stretch & wear)that rarely needed attention.Belt could jump off pulley if vac turned on while brush was removed.It did require special tools,knowledge & caution with handle spring.
"--failures.--The early versions were a nightmare with frequent clogs in dirty air duct.Elux management wanted the UR introduced before engineering thought it was ready.There were recalls,service bulletins,exchanges & duct improvement kits.This was fixed with clean out door seen in pic 7 & clean out rod seen in pic 6 and they became a great vac.

 

[jo]

More than just a Nice find!

Certainly a nice collectible addition. Though I certainly see why these wouldn’t have been good sellers. Compare to the canister clearly much more cumbersome to use. Heavy and time consuming to convert to attachment mode like a Kirby. Even the ad for Electrolux canisters in 1980 compared it to a Kirby and the speed at which the vacuuming task was completed with both and of course the Electrolux won.

I would love to see your entire collection someday in person. You truly have taken finding and collecting Electrolux to the highest level and I appreciate your efforts!

It’s funny…when I first read the title of the post I just knew it had to be one from you before I saw who it was from!

Jon

 

[paul]

Hey Keith,

Wow! As usual, I am impressed by your amazing handiwork of restoring your vintage cleaners. The conversion kit is an awesome bonus, too!

Since you have three of the original Electrolux USA uprights, Using the online patent information I found and Jimmy's knowledge, here is a list of all the model numbers and their characteristics. I challenge you to get one of each for your collection. The gray Silverado-Deluxe era one seems to be the most rare.

Model 1363 - yellow gold (3 brush roll options: soft, 3-row, and bristles/beater bars)—1977-79
Model 1363B "Heavy Duty" - tan - [upgraded air duct]—1979-80
Model 1363/Model 1363B "Heavy Duty" Commercial - yellow gold/tan - [branch office conversions: bag chamber label swapped out with one that bore 'Commercial', cord swapped out with longer 3-wire cord, brush roll swapped out with one containing 3 rows of bristles]—1978-80
Model 1451 "Automatic" - tan - [larger rear wheels; fifth screw added to handle grip; second point automatic airflow sensor shutoff added in clean air passageway between filter and fan]—1980
Model 1451E (enhanced) "Automatic" - tan - [quick clean-out port & rod added; indicator light moved to base]—1980-82
Model 1451E (enhanced) "Heavy Duty Automatic" - gray - [upgrades? - no patents found]—1982-84
Model 1451 E (enhanced) "Heavy Duty Automatic" - light sand gray - [upgrades? no patents found]—1984-86

Following are some online patents. Interestingly, Leonard E. Bowerman, the inventor of the first gen of Electrolux USA uprights was also a co-inventor of the second gen L-shaped ones with George Schick.

1. July 11, 1978 - Electrolux upright with magnetic clutch - patent summary (1363)
2. July 18, 1980 - Electrolux upright Automatic 2nd point shut-off summary (1451)
3. November 26, 1980 - Electrolux UR quick clean-out & rod summary (1451E)
4. Dec. 27, 1988 - Electrolux upright patent (Discovery II 1500)