Fairly Rare Electrolux Came and Went on eBay

[charles~richard]

The link below is to an auction for an Electrolux Model LXI, the very last version of the LX sold in 1955 and early 1956 until the Model E-Automatic came out (in late autumn, just in time for Christmas - hence the beautiful color ad of the "revolutionary new" AE sitting under the Christmas tree).

I was surprised the bidding was so lukewarm on this (only one bid - and no, it's not my auction! had I know the bidding would be so low I would have bid just to have gotten it as a spare). I guess I need to educate y'all on this strange bird!

If you look closely there are several key differences that set it apart.

(1) The blower end where the cord winder attached looks exactly like the rear end of a Model E except that it is chrome-plated, and a chrome “halo” for storing the cord was provided when the optional cord winder was not purchased. The "ass-end" of the LXI is quite different from the LX, both in shape and material. The LX rear cover is made of polished aluminum; the LXI is chrome-plated steel. A small metal hook for attaching the cord is located on the top-rear-side of the machine where the halo is attached.

(2) The cord winder is the swing-open type, rather than the kind that comes off. (Thus, the halo and swing-open cord winder were first introduced on the LXI and not on the E as some people believe.)

(3) There's a rear axle attached to the runners, with two rubber wheels. (Not to be confused with the after-market wheels that clamped onto the ends of runners as two separate attachments. The LXI actually had a separate rear axle for the wheels.

(4) Also, the area where the bag storage clamp used to be was done away with; in its place is a large rubber caster that makes the machine glide along as if it weighs nothing!

Last but not least, the LXI featured a newly designed rug nozzle that was partly made of blue plastic; and the very last of the LXIs had blue-plastic dusting brushes and upholstery nozzles (but both still of the older types).

This machine was made less than a year and is very rare and hard to find.

(Note: The model number ID for the LX and LXI is stamped into the metal housing under the handle grip, in very tiny letters.)

For more LX and LXI photos, see my Model LX Page at http://137.com/lux/luxlxs.html



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&item=300032196687

 

[convertible68]

Damn...

There was also an LXI on Houston Craigslist recently, not in the best shape but would have cleaned up nicely. Stupid me thought it was just another LX with an after-market wheel kit, but there was 1 picture where the cord reel swung open. Now of course the posting has been deleted. Had I known it really was an LXI, I would have grabbed it FAST!!! Figures...

 

[luxg]

Thanks for the information Charles. Can you believe that the machine only went for 14.99 and they only asked 24.95 for shipping. With the amount these weight that is the best deal around.

 

[dial-a-nap]

This is the model I have - thanks for all the information, Charles!

 

[waterstreet]

LX

Bag Storage Clamp

So thats what the spring loaded tube is for. Very clever. Also very handy as my LX is in active use.

 

[frkirby511]

Bag Storage on LX

Makes perfect sense, though, that if the machine was going to cut off and eject the bag, there would have to be a convenient way of having them around so the person using the machine would not have to go looking for another bag to finish cleaning.

And especially, as Charles so well describes in his posting and his various web sites on this machine, the early version was problematic in that the bags themselves were not well designed at first and became clogged quite quickly. And the mechanism to signal a full bag was not as sophisticated as the later version. All the more reason to have a place right on the cleaner for the bags.

Thanks, Charles, for the info on the LXI. I am always fascinated by the various stages and developments of the Electrolux. The engineering that went into them from the model XXX through to the 1205 never ceases to amaze me. They really paid attention to the detail; and when they messed up, they really worked at fixing the problem. In part, in think, this was because they had sales people regularly out in the field talking to customers; and these customers were not one time buyers either. There was a loyalty to the Electrolux brand and people were proud to have one. I sold Electrolux throughout my college years [1969 to 1973]. I have to say this was definitely my experience. We regularly did "cold canvassing" which meant you didn't have an appointment to show the machine, you just pulled up to a neighborhood and started knocking on doors from one end of the street to another. Those were they times when you would get to a home that was a regular Lux customer and they would be happy to see you because they needed bags or needed to replace a worn out attachment or something. We carried all that stuff in the car with us. I don't suppose there's much of that today. But that's another story. Anyway..people would tell you what they liked and didn't like about the machine and I think that was helpful.

 

[raymanretro]

I was lucky to find one in reasonable condition. I really like it, and wish it had a hook up for a power nozzle.

 

[luxg]

Hey Don, Check with our very own Charlie Watrous. (airway charlie). I believe that he has added an outlet to his LX for a power nozzle. Terry

 

[raymanretro]

Thanks Terry! I`ll have to have a look at Charlie`s LXI.

 

[dysonman]

Lux 61 - unique

The Electrolux model 61 was one of only TWO vacuums ever made that use both wheels and runners at the SAME TIME. The other was a gold, 1974 Air-Way with full runners and three wheels (one of which swiveled). This made the machine weightless when pulled across a bare floor.

I love my model 61. It was hardly used at all, one could eat off the motor. It sits at the end of my bed, on the cedar chest. The light from the window reflects off the polished aluminum and wakes me everyday to its beautiful sight.

 

[eluxomarty]

LXI

I have one that looks just like Don's. Except mine has a big dent on the top from bricks falling onto it. One of my former nursing instructors who i see each fall when the new batch of student nurses arrive at the hospital brought it to me. It was "perfect" until some workman who were knocking down a non working chimney started dropping bricks to the ground and they didn't see the vacuum beside the house below. She was so upset that it was damaged but it powers right up and works beautifully. I told her not to worry about the dent and that i would call it my earthquake survivor vacuum!

Tom, it's good to hear from you finally!!!

 

[timborow]

Just wondering

Was there ever a model XXX that had wheels? Did the runners scratch bare floors? Did it maneuver easily?

 

[converto-skip]

OMG

Tim is still alive!!!! Tim You have been very quiet these last couple of weeks

Skip...

 

[timborow]

Just been a little busy here,Skip. Do you have any good Super J hoses you might want to part with? Tim

 

[converto-skip]

Tim

Hey I wished I did but I don't but I will talk to another collector who sells alot on ebay and I will ask him and I'm sure He will have one for you. I will sent You a private email once I talk to him. Good to see You are stay alive LOL

Take CAre Skip...

 

[dial-a-nap]

Pimpin' the "G"

This summer I bought one of these on ebay and had a horrible time getting the seller to even ship it, then when it finally did come, it had tools missing, etc. so they agreed to send me another at no charge - plus a rebuilt power nozzle and wand for my trouble. I did get the second cleaner but the power nozzle must still be in transit as it hasn't arrived. I was able to make one complete machine - save for one mis-matched wand so I'm selling off the second machine as I have no room or need for two (blasphemy to you Lux fans, I'm sure ;-) but I'm sure someone out there does!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...10042053012&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MESE:IT&rd=1

 

[charles~richard]

That's a Factory Rebuilt G

from the Silverado era. I like the G in this color but think it's tacky how they just spray over the Electrolux logos on the side and then don't fill them in with white color. The other problem is that this is just spray paint from a can or compressor and not baked-on hammertone, so it does not hold up. Most of the rebuilt Gs you find in this color are all scratched up. This one does appear to be pretty nice, and since I don't have one in this color I'd like to acquire it if you would tell me what you're asking for it.

The other odd thing about all these factory rebuilt Gs is that they moved the power nozzle port from the original location in front of the right-front wheel (or in the older version in the front cover). The port is now up in the metal trim at the top o the housing. Don't know the rationale for that unless they feel it's easier to connect the power nozzle cord there.

 

[swingette]

greg

that Maytag fabric ur selling would make a smashing button-up collared dress shirt! the vertical stripe effect would give it that look that was popular a little while ago!

 

[dial-a-nap]

I have lots of that Maytag fabric, David, you could have drapes, upholstery, shirts, table and bed linens - and still have some left to make a snazzy pair of boxers!