GE MV2 Portable Vacuum

[ohio_tuec]

response to Bigbubbacain

Yes, the Oreck CVR-4000 (which began production in 1962, and continued as the XL-4000 in the '70's), is the Oreck with the stubby handle, handle release, and ball-bearing motor. They were made for Oreck by a company in West Germany called MacDonald electric. Tom Oreck (David's son and now CEO of Oreck) told me this at Oreck University. I did see the MacDonald electric machine for sale on eBay not too long ago, but since it was in the UK, I figured the shipping would be prohibitive. When the bearings are good, they are very quiet. I would love to have a Whirlpool CVR-2000/3000, since that was the prototype. If you do find one, yes I would be interested in a trade. Please let me know. Thanks.

 

[compactelectra]

You Guys Are Great!

What a great group of folks. I have been getting emails (there are a bunch of Eureka W bags on Ebay right now) and a package arrived in the mail today from George Bocknewch in Florida. It was some GE bags and some W bags! Thanks George. Also Jeff Parker was able to fix up my GE Carpet Sweeper this weekend with a Dial-A-Matic belt.

Also while Jeff and Fred were here (cleaning up the Hoover Floor Washers) I shared with them the latest addition to the collection, a beautiful Kenmore Commander-type vacuum on a cart in lovely turquoise and polished aluminum rug tool. This must have been the top of the line. Can anyone date it?

Fred

 

[compactelectra]

Speaking of the Floor Washers

Here is a glam shot of the four we rescued from the basement of the gentlemen who had just passed away. They were in the original boxes, but the boxes had been exposed to moisture and had deteriorated and the machines were a bit mildewed. A bit of bleach, Mr. Clean and elbow grease and they are like new! Sorry guys, they are all spoken for! Boy this thread is getting a bit off track, huh?

 

[bigbubbacain]

Such a wicked man!!!!

The very idea! Teasing us with four Floor-a-Matics! There probably haven't been 4 displayed in a row that way since a vacuum trade show in the 1960's. All kidding aside, congrats. They're beautiful. It all hearkens back to the day when the Hoover brand could compete in the marketplace.

 

[bigbubbacain]

Ohio_Tuec: thanks for the info.

I do remember how quiet those machines are/were. Tell me, is yours the orange, purple, or black?

I honestly believe this machine should have been more of a template for what Oreck is doing today. In my opinion, I think they strayed a bit off the mark. They got so hung up on the "8 lb. upright concept" and decided this one factor should be the cornerstone for their "lightweight" upright platform that they ignored good qualities like the ball bearing motor. There are those who would argue that ball bearing motors require more maintenance, but this would be maintenance that most customers have already paid for with the purchase of their machines. I kinda feel as though they designed these machines around the weight factor at all cost. Please understand, I'm not trashing Oreck (even though I am a disgruntled former employee). I respect Dave and Tom as businessmen. They ARE marketing geniuses. I would, however, like to see them take their other machine concepts (other models) through the same evolution process the same way that Dave did with the Whirlpool CVR. We both know it's basically the same design concept with quite a few improvements. In fact, I believe the earliest Orecks were quieter than the CVR's.

Congrats on going to Oreck University, btw. You're a better man than me. You must be really good. If the climate at Oreck agrees with you, go for it and don't stop until you own a franchise for yourself!

 

[hygiene903]

Yes, that is one beautiful Commander! And I'll bet it runs as good as it looks, too! I'm no expert, but my guess would be that it was one of the last of the Commander series, before they went to the pot-type or box-type cannisters. Probably mid to late 50's I think.
Jeff

 

[compactelectra]

The Kenmore

My mom had a maroon Commander and all I remember was that the suction was lousy. I don't know if it was due to bad maintenance or just a bad machine. It was the first one I remember using and only needed one wand to vacuum with since I was probably no older than four or five when I was fascinated with it. You are right, it runs great! I was amazed at the suction of this machine. It was a bit dirty and filled with dirt, but cleaned up great. It is one great vacuum. I was talking with Tania tonight about it. I must admit, I was working on her to find me a matching hose, but told her, this was one great vacuum!

 

[rexairman]

Here's the skinny on the Whirlpool/Oreck deal. In 1963 David Oreck set up in business to liquidate the unsold inventory of Whirlpool branded vacuums, when Whirlpool decided to get out of the vac business under their own name, even though they continued to build the Kenmore for Sears. Those machines included the lightweight upright - there was a similar Kenmore. As this was a successful product for him, when these were all sold, he found the similar German built machine and sold it until they were all gone too. Then he contracted Bissell to build the current style Orecks for him (Ever notice that Oreck part numbers and Bissell part numbers follow the same format, or that the older Oreck boxes show that they came from Grand Rapids?) At the same time, he sold other machines made for him by other manufacturers such as Douglas, and even Hoover (a Portapower). When Bissell refused to renew the contract, he bought the assets of the bankrupt Regina Corp. to acquire their Long Beach MS factory. He then became a manufacturer for the first time, having previously sold machines built by others. This also explains how he came by the piece-of-junk Regina Steemer carpet cleaner which he now sells as an overpriced Oreck. He also acquired the Regina name, which he tried unsuccessfully, to re-introduce as a lower priced line.

 

[dial-a-matic]

whirlpool/oreck

I would like to see pictures of thoes vintage orecks/whirlpools.

thanks,andy.

 

[hoover1060]

Whirlpool vacuum

Whirlpool stopped selling vacuums with their name on them because Sears asked them to. Sears had a much bigger share of the market that Whirlpool ever would have had anyway.

 

[veg-o-matic]

Here's a scan from Consumer Reports about an Oreck and a Whirlpool that I think turned into an Oreck.

veg

 

[earlieone]

back to the GE mv

Funny this thread should pop up. Two weeks ago I got a mv1 from an estate sale. Well actually my friend beat me there and bought it for me. it is in original box - much larger than mv2 box - long and flat. The cover of the box is an advertisment for all its uses in picture form. This machine had to have been used only a couple of times. The original screw is still mounted in the box for hanging. Great machine - quiet - so-so suction. Mine has a cloth bag.

 

[dial-a-matic]

Whirlpool upright

Thanks for the pic I allways wondered what a early oreck upright looked like.

Andy Beres

P.S. This site is fantastic!!

 

[ohio_tuec]

response to Bigbubbacain

While I do enjoy the product line very much, I do tend to agree that now Oreck is using the "only 8 pounds" virtue to their advantage by cheapening the product. The newer Ametek 12 and 24-bar motors seem to have a shorter lifespan and are MUCH noisier. I appreciated the quietness of the CVR/XL-4000 series, and even the later XL-100C, XL-200S, XL-5000, and so on. They used very energy-efficient 2.8 amp motors, which worked. Nowadays they use 4 amp motors. The new motors seem to last a couple of years and that's all. Of the new product line, I like the XL-21 the best. It's quieter than the rest, has the best filtration, and has a 21 year warranty with free yearly service. I feel it's the most durable, and trouble-free. Customers love how it actually pulls you along.
I have the CVR-4000 in a light blue, and the XL-4000 in black. I have seen it in orange also. I would like to know what other colors it came in. Like I say, if you are able to locate a Whirlpool CVR-2000/3000, I would gladly entertain a trade. I thank veg-o-matic for the consumer reports article, showing the machine. I'm guessing this was during the transition period when Oreck had already taken over Whirlpool's vacuum manufacturing branch?

 

[petek]

Looking at that GE MV it does look very similar to my 1975 blue Sears Hand-Vac. It's a great little vac very powerful but the tools and wands are a bit cheap friction fit plastic. The nice thing about it is you don't need to use the hose, you can put the brushes or the wands directly onto the housing and have a stick vac.

 

[bigbubbacain]

Thanks Ohio_Tuec!

I'm definitely going to look.

 

[petek]

I hit the Goodwill today and lo and behold there was another little Sears Handvac there in pristine condition, lime green with a few daisies near the switch, has only the hose and crevice tool though..
Inside was one bag Sears 20-5021. I went to Sears and the store no longer carries that bag so I called Sears parts and service 800# here in Canada and they have them. The model of the Kenmore Handvac is 208.61110.
Looking at the GE bag it looks pretty identical, so if those Orecks don't fit let me know and I'll mail you some of the Sears bags.