Eureka 200 Series Upright Vacuums. When were they made?

[michaelt]

Does anyone have a comprehensive listing of the 200 Series upright Eureka vacuums and the years they were made? I have a few from I believe the late 50s through the late 60s, but have been able to find little info on what years they were made. I realize that Eureka made about a billion different models back then, changing only a bag, hood or bumper and creating a new model #, but a guide would be helpful. Online has little information. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[paul]

Thread # 453322 provides a draft of the 200 Series model timeline. Several of us are endeavoring to complete it along with other series, but it's time-intensive; and like you mentioned, the information is limited on this site and others. Use the search bar on the Vintage Forum page and copy/paste the thread number. In addition, you can perform model number searches by just entering them with "Eureka". Several frequent VL posters are also well-versed in the 200 Series, so if you post photos in this thread - including ones with the manufacturer's labels - they'll provide some details.

The Eureka 200 Series - and its later variation series 2000 (High Range), 1400 (Mid/Low Range), 1900 (later Mid/Low Range) 300 & 600 (Kmart exclusives), 4000 (Widetracks), & 5000 (High Range Self-Propelleds) - originated with George Walker's styling of the models S-246 & D-360 in 1947 and ended in 2017 with The Boss model 1934-B. The first to be equipped with the disposable bag feature was the S-255, which appeared on the sales floors in 1955.

It is, however, still produced as the Sanitaire Tradition (commercial/heavy-duty) line.

Best

 

[eurekaprince]

I would estimate the time frame for Eureka’s 200 series uprights was from 1947 to about 1967 or 1968. That’s when the new 2000 series of uprights was launched with the debut of the Vanguard with the box-top bag and CordAway. If I remember correctly, the last 200 series was the 271, then the jump was made to the model 2070.

 

[paul]

Agreed, Brian.

As I looked for specifics just now I found that the Vanguard Series - models 270-A in 1967, and 271-A in 1968 - was the last version of the actual '200' Series; although the lower trim models, introduced in the mid-1960s - 240 & 238 - were still advertised in the early 1970s.

It became the 2000 Series in 1969 with 4 different trims that could be called: "supreme" - Model 2080-A Vanguard with the new Rugulator; "super" - Model 2070-A Vanguard hood Rugulator; "deluxe" - 2050-A Classic hood Dial-A-Nap w/Cordaway, and "standard" 2040-A Classic hood Dial-A-Nap; the 240 was gradually replaced by it, while the 238 remained the base model until it became the 1401 circa 1973 or 1974.

I'm thinking that there there just the three conventional upright trims in the '60s (besides the fancier Emperor model 1212-A and Easy Glide model 210-A).

 

[eurekaprince]

Wow! Thanks for those details Paul! I can imagine having a binder with Eureka upright dealer spec sheets - with each model showing a start/debut year. I guess we need to start saving those old spec sheets and rescue them from the recycling bin…..

 

[huskyvacs]

Yes those specifications sheets and parts list are a diamond mine. If you have those that is the key to everything. They will tell you what all those A, B, C, D, E model demarcations mean as well.

 

[eurekaprince]

I wonder how that brown 1940’s Eureka D-360 upright falls into the chronological sequence at the start of Eureka’s “Walker” “fan-down” upright history. Previous to this one, all Eureka uprights were like a Kirby with the fan facing forward.

See the link below for a VLand thread with a picture…

https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?29380

 

[paul]

You're welcome, Brian! Regarding the D-360, I think it was a one and done Deluxe trim model that either didn't sell well or wasn't as popular as another budget model, because production was only from 1947 to 1950. In general my interest is post WWII cleaners, so I haven't delved into the pre-war models that may have been continued afterwards. The previous D models - D161 and D272 (going by memory) had different styling.

________

Both, I hope we'll find a service manual at some point along with any ephemera that may still be in basements, closets, file drawers, et cetera. I'd like to peruse the McLean Museum of History's collection:

https://mchistory.org/research/finding-aids/collection/eureka-williams-electrolux