I bought that black PowerMax new at Costco and yes it must have been around 1992, just prior to us moving from our house in the city to the country in 93 because I do remember using it in the city house. It is extremely loud, bareable when you set the speed at low and it is rather clumsy. I don't use it often anymore, it's a pain to carry up and down stairs but it probably is the absolute best upright vacuum for actual cleaning that I've ever used when it comes to all the dog hair etc we have here.