G. E. Vacuum Information

paul · Apr 11, 2013

Hello, 

 

Please inform me where I can find information regarding my G. E. Swivel Top vacuum cleaners (i. e. years of manufacture and parts). I contacted G. E., and it does not keep information on any of its discontinued appliances--which I think is strange for such a large, reputable company. It seems to me that G. E. sold its vacuum cleaner division to another company, but I do not know that for sure. 

 

Also, I am interested in learning about any websites, blogs, or vlogs specific to G. E. vacuum cleaners. 

 

Any information you can provide will be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Paul

kenkart · Apr 12, 2013

Model no. or picture would help,

Swivel top GEs were made from 1952 thru 1972 when GE sold its vacuum division to Premier electric, in those twenty years they made dozens of variations, The first one was the AVC-815, which my Mother purchased new at Home Electric co in Lenoir NC for 99.00 which was VERY expensive for that day.

paul · Apr 12, 2013

Hi, Hans, 

Thanks for the information. I have since seen several Swivel-Top ads on Ebay--the oldest being 1953--so I was thinking that was the year they were first manufactured since the model was a C1. If you know the sequence of model ids please let me know. The fact that your mom's 1952 model was an AV-815 and that I saw a C65 manual also on Ebay has me confused. Did they have different series of the canisters manufactured at the same time? Also C1 to C65 (if all numbers were used in between) sure is a lot of sweepers during a 20-year run! 

 

Paul

kenkart · Apr 12, 2013

They started out..

AVC-815, then C-1,C-2,C-3,C-4, I dont know about C-5 and C-6, but the C-7 was the first one with a cordwinder, Green and Chrome, they made DOZENS of variations in the 60s,

kenkart · Apr 12, 2013

C-1

Came out in 53.C-2 ,and C-3 in 54, and the pink C-4 in 55, it was made thru 57 I think, the first ones had a chrome swivel top and the last were pink plastic, I have 2 C-4s that were made in 58, but they have different attachments!, that is why its so hard to date GEs, they changed them so often, For instance, the first C-7 had a small bucket, large cast aluminum side clamps and handle, I have a 62 model C-7, it has a plastic handle, large tool bucket and the side clamps are chromed steel...

kenkart · Apr 12, 2013

1962

C-7, with a 1964 GE upright.

kenkart · Apr 12, 2013

1963

Swivel top, first one with the more powerful 830 watt motor and the Twin Clean rug tool!, the one on the left is a lower priced model from near the same time.

kenkart · Apr 12, 2013

1958

c-4

kenkart · Apr 12, 2013

1957

c-4

suckolux · Apr 12, 2013

Ahh, my aunt had the c4, had been trying to remember the detail. that did it.Circa 62 I saw it maybe

paul · Apr 12, 2013

Hello again, Hans,

 

Thanks much for providing more info and posting your awesome GE pics! Wow! Are you planning on collecting all the Swivel-Tops?

 

Anyway, I forgot to mention that I have a model C13 (I am assuming that is short for what the manufacturer's tag states as V11C13--please explain if you know anything about that). I just did an online search for the machine and discovered a 1968 Life magazine ad featuring it. I also have another Swivel-Top but need to check on its model--it looks much the same as the C13 with a slightly different color and no cord winder, so it's probably a C11 or C12 unless the cord winder was an optional feature--then it could be slightly newer. By the way, I got the C13 at the city's spring clean drop-off site for free with its attachments and paid about $5 for the other one at a thrift store (w/one attachment). I use the C13 to clean my low pile carpeted garage, and it works great for getting all the grass and small debris that collects on it. The other one's cord is in tough shape, so I haven't used it till I get a new one.

 

Paul

paul · Apr 13, 2013

Hans,

 

Have you considered compiling your Swivel-Top info. (Models, Years, Colors, Characteristics...) into a table? I haven't seen anything history on GE vacuum cleaners on the web, so something like that could be a start. Even if you don't have complete information others could contribute. Just a thought.

 

Also, I am curious to know about other styles of GE vacuum cleaners besides the Swivel-Tops such as the uprights. Any information you can post or direct me to would be appreciated.

 

Paul

kenkart · Apr 13, 2013

Correction...

I was half asleep last night, The correct dates are....C1, 1953, C-2, 1954, C-3 1955-1957, the two tone model I listed as a C-4 is, but the pink one is a 57 C-3, GE made some really great uprights, also they made a rectangular cannister with a cordwinder on the back and tool bin on the top, I cant remember the model, but it had the same 830 watt motor as the others, I would love to find one again, I have two versions of the upright in the pic, one with cord hooks and one with a pocket on the bag for the cord, I think that model is U-4, they also made a VERY REARE upright that has a big wide roller under the rear of the housing, very similar to todays Dyson, it was a twin fan machine and I have never even seen many of them.

kenkart · Apr 13, 2013

RARE==

NOT REARE!!!LOL

rugsucker · Apr 13, 2013

GE Swivel Tops

All good information above.- Model Nos went from 815 to C1,etc but the 65 number might be a misprint(?)-Tool storage went from large cardboard box on 815 to small box to store in closet or hang on doorknob to small,then larger plastic bucket to hang on vac.-Tools went from 10(?) on 815 then 5,then rug and floor combined.Often color matched but later mostly white.-Hoses went from braided cloth to matching rubber,to stronger braided vinyl.-Late 50s added the Low Boy standard along with deluxe.-First wheels were removable dolly then attached to vac.1 or 2 economy models had no wheels.-Many great colors including matching 2 tones and 2 tone with white.And in 60s avocado green and much more.Hope this adds.Any you want?

paulg · Apr 13, 2013

One of the worst electric shocks of my life

Came from a GE swivel top...
I was a young lad.. And I used to pick up vacuum cleaners on the way home from school. I never walked home on the sidewalk, always the alleys. Such fun.
However, I picked up a GE swivel top - the one with the GE logo on the on/off pushbutton.
Took it to the garage, plugged it in and pushed on the GE pushbutton. I got one of the worst jolts I ever received.
Well, stupid me (ok... I WAS very young....) forgot that it had rained the day before. I opened the top of the unit and it was completely full of water.
I was stupid and smart at the same time. I threw the vacuum away but I pulled off the "GE" pushbutton and glued it to a stick-pin. It was on my bulletin-board for years to remind me to always check a device before plugging it in. I still have that stick pin somewhere..
For that I pat myself on the back. Smart move I do say...

dysonman1 · Apr 13, 2013

The GE upright with the 'ball' (kind of like a Dyson) was the model U-1 from 1960.

dysonman1 · Apr 13, 2013

The GE canister came both with or without a cord reel. This is the Deluxe, with cord reel. Alex Braun gave this to me on the day we opened the Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James, Missouri. Thanks Alex for all your support over the years.

dysonman1 · Apr 13, 2013

This is the ad for the GE canister.

G. E. Vacuum Information

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