Fantom Technologies mystery vac

[aeoliandave]

A mystery to me, at least.

Dropped by Ellisons after work to get a few belts and spotted this against a back wall. Quick story (it was closing time) is that it has been gathering dust in the shop basement for many years and it was brought up as a potential motor donor for a client. I asked Bill to wait a few days on that, please.
Since I have a fondness for Fantoms, I have a feeling this one will have to join the heard of 4 already rescued.

It looks quite different from any Fantom I've seen so far and the graphics lead me to believe it is an early model (XT?). The straight-tube handle has an open end with no cap that becomes the hose handle, like my first generation Fury. Trim accents are purple.

Note the on/off rubber button switch on top of the cylinder and the Cyclone XT type headlight lens design.

Friday I will go and get the info off the label - and with luck bring it home - but does anyone recognize this model?

 

[aeoliandave]

Closer up. The button is a large rubber dome disc.

There is NO honkin' big Hepa After Filter protruding from the side, unless it is totally enclosed in the back.

Has all the earmarks of the first model XT?

Hope I'm not too late to save it.

 

[aeoliandave]

The curvy-er Cyclone XT

 

[aeoliandave]

Angular First (L) and softened Second (R) generation Furys.

 

[bimmer740]

Phantom Fantom

Thats a Fantom Thunder, its the original Fantom I believe. It was the most expensive of the Fantom line up being one step up from the Fury making it the TOL.

~Steven

 

[kittingerhoover]

YES! I remember this vacuum......

Sears also had one that was called the Destiny. This is the first of the Fantom machines and was received with much fanfair. This one did not have the HEPA filter fitted (showing how early this specimen is), and IONA said that it filtered to 5 microns, and a HEPA filter could be fitted to the exhaust if ordered. The kit came with a cage for the filter and it clipped over the protruding post for the tool.

This is a Dyson design, and as we seen when the patent expired so did IONA. Really a shame, I liked this machine better than a Dyson, it was simple, took a simple belt, and ran like a top. It is rare by standards now and should be rescued if possible.

I used to work on this for warranty. I really enjoyed the one I had.

 

[aeoliandave]

Thanks, Steve & Dennis.

I googled Thunder and sure enough, right you are. I came up with a pdf of the Users Manual for the one with the side mount Hepa; the manual indicates that the power switch was moved from the top-of-the-cone assembly position to a toggle down on the motor housing at back.

Got my fingers crossed.

Dave

 

[riccarlover]

Look at what I discovered...

I saw the listing on Craigslist and just had to share the picture. I know they did the Fury in this color and I have NEVER seen the Cyclone in this color.
Clayton

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

I loved all the Fantom models and infomercials when they first came out. As a teenager, I convinced many people to buy them and even sent them a few fan e-mails. The later Thunders had "Thunder" printed right on the bottom.

I've never seen a Cyclone XT that color either!

 

[aeoliandave]

Update.

Yes, it is the first tol Fantom made in Welland Ontario Canada by IONA. Bill recalls that they got a few in when they first came out, they sold well and this one never did sell. It is new and used only as a demo, has one minor scratch on top and after a few years he retired it to the basement to become a donor machine; but as he says - no one ever brought a Fantom in for serviceing.
He has the complete box of accessories and brushes, the Owners Manual as well (as Owners & Service Manuals for the Cyclone XT) and the optional hose extension.
I'll be picking it up next week when the elusive Eureka 4870 non-stretch brushroll belt comes in.

Meanwhile, Phun Phacts about Fantom technologies:

The bagless vac. (vacuum cleaner) (Cover Story) Article from: Appliance Manufacturer | February 1, 1992 | Remich, Norman C., Jr. |
U.S. company aligns with a Canadian firm to market dual-cyclonic technology. Vac is sold in Australia and the Far East. More offshore activity is planned.
SC Johnson Professional, a unit of Racine, Wis.-based SC Johnson Wax, and Iona Appliances, Inc., of Welland, Ont., joined talents to bring out the first bagless, filterless vacuum cleaner.
The Vectron, a commercial upright vacuum cleaner made by Iona, is marketed by Johnson in both Canada and the U.S. Iona markets the same technology for home use in the U.S. and Canada with a model called Fantom.
The Vectron is also marketed by Johnson in Australia and the Far East, with plans to expand global sales
------------------------
Why did Iona Appliances president Allan Millman realize his Welland, Ont. company couldn't get away with manufacturing kitchen appliances that were "just good enough" any more?
a. Because the appliances told him so
b. Because Iona's existing products didn't offer sufficient innovation or value to crack world markets

So what did Millman do to rejuvenate his company?
a. Launched a world-wide search for innovative new products
b. Licensed a design for a more efficient vacuum cleaner
c. Muscled into the U.S. market
d. Launched a line of 30-minute infomercial and started selling to U.S. consumers directly
e. All of the above
(Sadly, Iona [renamed Fantom Technologies] bit the dust a few years ago. But it was a bold effort that defied long odds.)
----------------------
TORONTO, Oct. 27 1999 - The Board of Directors of Fantom Technologies Inc. (TSE: FTM; NASDAQ: FTMTF) has appointed Rikki Meggeson as Chair of the Board and Alan Hussey as Senior Vice President & General Manager. Both appointments are effective November 1, 1999.

Ms. Meggeson has made numerous contributions to the success of Fantom since joining the Board as a Director in 1989. She is credited with being the originator of the idea of using the name ``Fantom'' for the Company's products. Ms. Meggeson succeeds Kenneth Kelman.

 

[szymonrules]

Fantom Wildcat

Does anyone have a Fantom Wildcat?? (You know the Orange one)

 

[luxlife]

My recollections about the 'mystery Fantom'

I saw one of these for the first time in 1993, and they were only sold through vacuum shops. I remember this one because it came out before the use of the 'Thunder', and it had an 11 amp rating and no HEPA filter, both of which were on the Thunder. The HEPA actually came later for newer models and also a retrofit for older ones, but it was sorely needed on all models. A friend of mine who's a dealer remembers when the distributors were pushing the shop owners heavily to get them to carry these machines.

 

[aeoliandave]

Excellent info, John! I'm fairly sure I saw a copyright or print date of 1993 on the manual. And yes, there is no 'Thunder' anywhere on the manufacturers label, just a long model number I didn't write down. I should have this vacuum in my hands by week's end.

Imagine, a 17 year old virgin vacuum that's never kissed dirt!

Jack Copp, what Dyson info do you have on his licensing the technology to IONA Corp (renamed Fantom Technologies) here in Welland ON Canada? Surely you have his book? I don't.

Dave

 

[williamr1248]

Fantom Technologies

Dave,
You perked my interest! I had to go get my Fantom out. Mine never had very good suction with the tools but it was the first bagless machine I ever owned. Sure remember the advertising on TV. I thought they all came with the hepa filter on the side. Learn something every day on this forum!
Rob

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

That box sure brings back memories LOL Oh how I loved those things. I remembered that the hose had pretty terrible suction as well, but what it got off the carpet was amazing. The Cyclone XT still looks like a modern vac... it could be on the shelf today, though the others now look a little dated. I think it was the least reliable of all of them though, and I didn't like how complicated the dirt cup was to open. The Thunders and Furys had it best, they were so easy to take off and dump. I did try to buy a Thunder at a thrift shop about 4 years ago, but the silly thing didn't have any suction.... it ran and there were NO blockages (I took it all apart) but still no suction, so I ended up throwing it in the thrash. It came with the extra extension hose, and a more ergonomic hand grip that actually fit right in the handle/wand end so I kept those in case I ever found another for a good price. I saw one not too long ago, but the rubber part of the switch was missing, so I passed.