Electrolux XXXs --- They're Everywhere! They're Everywhere!!

[charles~richard]

Currently there are at least a dozen Electrolux XXXs on eBay and probably more, counting on the various misspellings of Electrolux, vacuum, etc., and people who mis-identify the model or manufacturer.

While this is a little higher than usual, on any given day you can easily find as many as a half-dozen XXXs on eBay.

This is an amazing testament not only to the durability of vintage Electroluxes but also to just how many "gazillions" of this particular model were made! I wonder if anyone has ever been able to calculate that number.

I know that by 1948, MANY more than three million had already been manufactured. A caption on a photo from "Electrolux News" of that year states, "...delivering the first of the third million to be made by V-DAY." (See link).

VDay was August 15, 1945, so that means in three years (1945-1948), three million were manufactured. If you figure that Electrolux made a million a year from 1937 until 1954 -- averaging out lower quantities in early years with higher quantities in later years -- that gives a ballpark figure of ... SEVENTEEN MILLION!!!

As far as I know, no other model -- by ANY manufacturer -- was made for so many years and probably never in such great quantities. Even taking into consideration the variations in design and function over the years, the Model XXX was the same machine for the duration of the time it was made and was designated as such, whether as "Model 30" or "Model XXX." (n.b., I believe "30" is a misnomer - the Electrolux company never called it that, to my knowledge --- only salesmen, some branch offices, and of course bojack supply and rebuilding houses often referred to the "XXX" as "30.")

And of course there are still many XXXs being put to good and regular use. I think I have mentioned the elderly neighbor just up the street from me who has the XXX that her husband bought for her in 1951 and it is still her "daily driver."

She has gotten a couple of new hoses over the years, currently using a dark turquoise Model L-era hose (with metal wand end), and at the same time she got the new hose she also got the more convenient combination floor and dusting tools (both in matching dark turquoise) - but she does still have the original tools in a box in her pantry [although the hose is long gone wahhh], and it still has the original thick black Belden cord with both original ends (no cord winder).

About the hose, she really gave me a run for my money one day. I happened to ask her if she had kept the original hose when she got the new one and she said she was pretty sure it was hanging in her husband's workshop.

Heart a-pounding, I went back there to ask him if the hose was there -- he's a "putterer" and spends a lot of time in his workshop. He said, "Wellllll, I don't recall it now, but let's have a look-see around." (They're from New Orleans and still have their charming accent.) He looked here and there, up and down, and said, "Well son, I don't seem to see it here, so I guess we musta thrown it out some time ago. But if I ever find it you can be sure I'll save it for ya."

I was disappointed. Even if it was in crummy condition, it would have been fun to have seen it.

I have resisted the idea of taking an original XXX hose to her and asking her to use her XXX with it and the original attachments so I can take some photos of her, but haven't done so. She'd probably think I was some kind of nut!!! hahahahaha

I did ask her once if she had gotten the polisher attachment but she didn't believe so. She never remembered using it at any rate. She does have the sprayer and vaporizer in the box with the other original attachments.



http://137.com/lux/100000000_2.jpg

 

[ohio_tuec]

Now, think about the gazillion or so pre-XXX Electrolux models (model XII and so on) that were traded in and dumped in the Atlantic Ocean to buy these luxes. Could have even been model V's. Oh, the humanity.....

 

[charles~richard]

Or to say nothing

of the THOUSAND Model XIIs that were lost in transit from Sweden to the U.S., which was the clarifying event that led Electrolux to open a plant in the U.S. (See link, scroll down to the paragraph that begins, "By 1930, machines were still being imported to the US from Sweden...")



http://137.com/lux

 

[akabent]

XXXs

Anyone who knows of the LA collectors probably knows both Charles Richard Lester and me. And Charle's website (The History of the American Electrolux Vacuum Cleaner:
www.137.com/lux) is a testament to the time, research, and knowledge he has so generously shared with information seekers at large, clearly making him one of the most knowledgable sources of Electrolux chronology. And those who know us well probably recognize we continue to wage a good-natured battle as to the nomenclature of the model in question. In contrast, I maintain that the earlier runs of this model were indeed designated as the '30' which continued during its early years prior to a reassignment or redesignation as the XXX, though I ahve not been able to ascertain the exact point of change. I base this at least partially on owning two early 'Gray Wonders' that sport only the stamping "Model 30", the XXX mark appearing on later editions or releases of manufacture. Still, a XXX by any other name is indeed a fine example of both American as well as Electrolux ingenuity! Interestingly, I have not come across anything that confirms Electrolux Corporation ever officially called the LX a 60!
Remember: Nothing sucks like an Electrolux!

 

[timborow]

I sure wish

someone would post a good demonstration of a XXX in the "See It Clean" section. I have never heard one of these run before. I'm sure there are others out there that would enjoy this also. Tim

 

[normvac]

The Numbers of Lux's

Charles-Richard
Thanks for the awesome perspective on the number of lux vacuums from the war time period. It is truly amazing.
The picture of the lady in Erie, Pa. receiving her new
electrolux. Is interesting to myself, as I grew up on
Lake Erie, in Ashtabula, Ohio. Which is only 35 miles
from Erie, Pa.
Like yourself, I remember, very well the electrolux man
appearing on the the street every so often. Usually
from Erie, Pa. Address printed on the post cards they left with Mom or in
the door. I collected them for years. I also thought that
every home in Erie, Pa. must have an electrolux, because
they had to come over to Ohio to sell more!

 

[waterstreet]

Tribute to the XXX

Given the state of technology at the time. Electrolux seems to have done everything right with the XXX.

The styling was brilliant; the anthropomorphical charm of the front cover and the inspired and dynamic cut out lettering on the side.

My XXX is dedicated to cleaning the front bedroom – it is more or less as it came from the yard sale – cleaned and polished – new hose, NOS bag and rear filter.

It is almost as quiet as my beloved Turquoise G. Despite its age it is up to practical cleaning – I have bare floors with no carpeting and there is that satisfying sound of suction doing its job.

I think I have a late one as it has LX style leatherette on top with harmonizing crackle paint on the bottom, but that can also apparently indicate a rebuild.

It is a real thoroughbred and deserving of its initial popularity and the current interest of collectors.

David

 

[dial-a-nap]

Excellent thread and great information! Thanks C~R!