Glendale, California Vacuum Cleaner Treasure Hunt

[charles~richard]

This past Wednesday, June 20th, 2007, six Vacuum Cleaner Collectors Club members met here in Los Angeles for a “Southern California Mini-Meet. <br
Kyle from Eagle Rock, Rick from Westminster, Marty from Palm Springs, Victor from Palm Springs, Mike from Spokane (Washington), and myself from the Miracle Mile gathered at Ace Vac in Glendale. (Then, the following Monday, Craig of Granada Hills came by, along with return trips by Rick, Mark and Charles. <br
Ace Vac, originally founded by Art Taylor, has been at 412 S. Central Avenue, Glendale, since 1930. The current owner, Al Romero, who has had the shop since the mid 1960s (I think), is retiring <br
See the link for a write-up and photos from that most incredible day


http://www.137.com/treasurehunt

 

[buffster]

Awesome Finds....

Charles, That is an amazing story. Congratulations on such an incredible find! And, thanks for posting all those fantastic pictures. It looks like great fun was had by all. I'm sure I drove by Ace Vac a thousand times when I lived in S. California and it never even caught my eye. Who knew?! I guess I better learn to pay closer attention to my surroundings. It's encouraging to hear stories like these to remind us all that there are still treasures out there to be found. And, here I thought that all the good stuff was hidden away in the Midwest.

 

[ohio_tuec]

Sounds like you all got some nice finds. One of the nicest I think was that early "Reliable" cleaner as well as the Kenmore Imperial. You were lucky indeed to find those early Kirby bags NEVER USED! I am sorry I live all the way on the other side of the country. I need two straight wood handles for my Hoovers model 102 & 105. Both were purchased on eBay and somehow the handles got lost during shipping. I'm sure ACE vacuum had a few lying around....

 

[myhooverco]

Wow...that is all that I can say. I have just drooled...I mean looked through all of your photos. I am sitting here very impressed. I wish that I could have been there to rescue some stuff too! I am glad to know that some of the items got into the hands of collectors instead of the scap metal dealer. You guys are very lucky as those moments do not happen too often. Thanks for sharing! I am very happy for all of you guys. If I had to pick one item that I was impressed with the most, it would be your Universal tank and display. They will both be great items to add to your collection <br
--Tom

 

[vacuumkid3]

My computer broke...it was saturated in drool!! :-D Just kidding, of course...In fact, how else could I be posting? LOL <br
~~K~ <br
WOW...is all I can say!

 

[vacuumwomen]

rexair

Charles is there any of those rexair model bs left.I really want one.I have just started collecting rainbow/rexair.

 

[buffalo-joe]

My Chin is Off the Spacebar Now........

All I can say is WOW! You have some really, really nice treasures there. I'm glad that they went to good homes. You don't find that kind of stuff that often. Congratulations <br
Joe

 

[charles~richard]

I hope everyone does understand that I -- nor none of the VCCC members who were there -- have any connection with vac shop, other than having been invited to go there. People who have questions about what is still there and so on should contact the shop directly. Their contact info is on their web site. See link <br
Tom, I agree with you that the Universal display is quite a find. Now I only need to figure out where to put it <br
Mike (buffster), the shop is on Central Ave. just a few blocks north of Los Feliz blvd <br
Ohio_Tuec, there were a bunch of old Hoover handles and I am sure there was at least one straight 102-type. You should call the vac shop and see if they would ship it to you <br


http://acevac.com/

 

[compactc9]

WOW! Looks like you had some nice finds, and had a great time.

 

[hygiene903]

WOW!!!

Looks like you guys hit the jackpot!! What great finds!! Would love to find a shop like that in my area to go parts shopping!
Jeff

 

[luxg]

Thanks Charles so much for posting all those neat pictures. I would say that you all really hit the jackpot.

 

[compactelectra]

Oh My God!!

I would have had a case of the vapors!! Uncle Peter!! The smelling salts!! What a great trip. I remember that place and stopped in there once. I have great memories of some great vacuum stores in LA and vicinity. Too bad I wasn't it town for the gathering. Next time you plan something like that, let me know, I'll fly in to my second hometown. Thanks for the great story!!

Fred

 

[henrydreyfuss]

That place has a huge chunk of vacuum history!

That black Kirby bag is beautiful!

Isn't the Airway with the green handle especially rare? Stan Kann had one and it was really cool!

Corey

 

[crevicetool]

Well Congratulations!!!!!

That Universal is the one I've been looking for since 1968!!!, That's the vc6700!!! Great job, and the display too!! I can't believe it. I didn't think I'd ever see one except in magazines............Take good care of it. Some day maybe I'll visit yours.LOL

 

[charles~richard]

Universal

Hi Rick Crevicetool,

The Universal is a gorgeous machine isn't it. So is its younger sister. See first two photos. I have another one, too, whose 'rear-end' looks like a beehive.

Sadly, these machines are "under-achievers." Looks like Universal put a lot of thought into design but not so much into function!

 

[charles~richard]

 

[charles~richard]

 

[charles~richard]

 

[charles~richard]