Eureka 1428 and 1400 predecessors?

[texbodemer]

Hi!

I'm wondering what I can learn about the Eureka 1428, and am curious to learn about the evolution of headlight-model Eureka 1400 series.

 

[eurekaprince]

Best thing to do is get a binder to collect printed photos of any Eureka 1400 series upright…you can find them by searching the internet. Some of the used cleaners you will find may have replacement outer bags, so keep that in mind as you collect the prints. But after a few months, I am sure you will be able to see a clearer picture of how the models evolved over the years. Even old newspaper ads from the internet will have descriptions that may provide details such as amperage and number of Dial-a-Nap settings.

The 1400 model numbering only began in the summer of 1974 when Eureka Williams was bought by Electrolux SE of Sweden. Before that, Eureka Williams used model numbers in the 2000 and 200 range for their uprights.

 

[paul]

I second eurekaprince's advice. I did something similar with Electrolux USA's lexan cleaners that hadn't been researched. I found how they were made in color sets and how model numbers related to certain features overall.

I also found old Vacuumland threads helpful; along with information from Doug Smith (big-time collector), John Anderson (long-time salesman), Jimmy Martin (long-time seller/service tech) and others who responded.

Additionally, literature such as user manuals and sales brochures provided data.

It took a long time, patience, and perseverance; but it was worth it.

 

[texbodemer]

Thanks!

Thanks! That's kind of what I've been doing I'm especially curious about the evolution of the headlamp lens.

 

[eurekaprince]

It's very interesting that you bring up the headlight lens on these Eureka uprights. Like many other elements that have comprised the many versions of Eureka uprights, one particular version of the headlight lens survived for over three decades. If you look at the 200 series of uprights from the 1950's and 1960's, you will see many models that featured the same kind of headlight design - a design that actually scared the bejeebers out of me as a toddler because it really looks like a monster's eye with one metal eye brow!!!! This classic Eureka upright headlight lens is not very tall and boxy like the later Vanguard uprights...it's kind of low and flat with a plastic lens that had a grid of lines. This design reappeared in many low end basic Dial a Nap uprights - well into the 1980's!!!!

 

[texbodemer]

If I remember correctly...

If I remember correctly, my 1966 Eureka 260EK (basically the same as a 1958 260), has a chrome headlight lens surround, made of metal. I call the 200-series design (in its myriad of related models using the same hood) the "Classic hood." I'm curious when the headlight eyebrow became plastic (in a similar shape), and then flat plastic, like on my 1428

 

[eurekaprince]

That’s the 260 monster! With the flat nose (hose port cover) and the wide mouth that would gobble you up!!! I used to go running to hide in my bedroom whenever my mom started using it! It got to the point where my dad had to cover the headlight with white cloth tape so it would not appear so scary to me.

And then…at some point a year or two later…maybe when I turned 4 or 5…the fear turned into fascination….

Not sure when the classic metal headlight frame became plastic. All I remember is that our brand new 1974 gold Cordaway upright had a plastic lens…I would bet that that was the same year they dropped the chrome headlight frame. Maybe the metal headlight frame was kept on Sanitaire commercial vacs….not sure.