I haven't seen one of these in a while!

[massagemiracle]

Sunbeam Challenger Canister vacuum, I remember seeing these in the stores. Never forget that avocado color!  Just happen to come across this morning on Ebay, listing number 200645277956, looks pretty good.

 

[aeoliandave]

The Sunbeam Challenger came in several flavors over the years and a power nozzle was added at the end.

It was the late 1960s & early 1970s. Avocado Green and vinyl genuine imitation woodgraining was all the rage.

 

[aeoliandave]

But the ultra deluxe Challenger has to be the extraordinarily exuberant debut TOL model fully decked out with green accessories and a flowered shift.

I found this one on eBay a few years back, for a song. All that was missing was the dusting brush and I got that from Camelot Shadow Christine in California a few months later. And bags, I believe from Doug Smith.

Odd looking duck that must have been 'designed' by the Sunbeam engineers to be the Complete All-in-One Vacuum Machine.

 

[massagemiracle]

Now the one with the flowers is the one I remember! Singer always had "mod" style vacuums it seemed! Appealing to the younger in crowd!

 

[chuffle]

Now, I am curious...

In many of the photos above, I see a little metal lever in front of the large rear wheel.  What is the purpose of that "gizmo?" 


 


Some sort of a little brake for the rear wheel, the little rubber nub wedging upon the wheel?  Am I overlooking the obvious?


 


Do enlighten me!


 


Joe

 

[henry200]

Rear brakes first!

Yes, it's a brake, to prevent the cleaner from rolling backwards when cleaning stairs.  (Picture the cleaner's back end resting on a step and the front on the the step above)

 

[chuffle]

Cool!

Thanks for the braking info.


 


Joe