Interstate Revelation (C2?)

[vintagefox]

FB Marketplace can be a hit or miss sometimes. Filled with ads and unrelated items to your search. Fortunately a late night browse on Tuesday yielded an awesome find. Ad was for a furniture business, but they also sold antiques inside their store. What actually drew me to the place was the business photo they had of some misc items in front of the store. It was an Electrolux C-A! I went on their profile page to later learn it was old photo from back in 2015.. So that machine was long gone. No matter, they had other cool furniture in stock and after a couple scrolls this Interstate popped up, complete with the hassock (in need of repair). The cloth hose and the vacuum itself were in really good shape, so I had no choice but to skip out on lunch and drive to the next two towns over to get it.
Went in, paid, and left. Apparently it had been for sale since last year November…

Genuinely stoked to have this Interstate in my collection. I’ve already rewired the cord properly, cleaned, and greased it. I haven’t really ran it as I’m waiting on new filters/bags. Still have to set a day aside to buff all the attachments. They should all come up quite nicely.

As for the hassock, I have a local upholsterer in mind that’ll redo the entire outer skin. Something in the same color possibly with a memory foam seat as opposed to the cotton. Only time will tell whenever we settle on a refurbishment plan.

I’m also wondering if anyone has more info on this unit? From what I gathered, Interstate sold the Compact door to door and the Revelation was an in-store version. The spot on the belly where an info sticker would be is missing so I have no more leads other than the model name and the date stamps of 1955 all over the motor.

 

[dysonman1]

What a beautiful, original Revelation. Many times, people only used them for the occasional dusting. Congratulations on a great find. It is definitely a model C2.

 

[vintagefox]

Thank you kindly! And thank you for clarifying on the model as well! It’s so relieving to see the original decals still in place, but has the right amount of wear as to where I won’t be afraid to use it. I suppose that’s what most early canisters were used for up until the addition of a power head came around. I mostly have bare floors and some throw rugs. So it should be fun to use around for a bit. Definitely will be adding some felt furniture sliders on the front “legs” to protect the remaining paint and the floors.

 

[thevacomaticiec]

You  might want to  upgrade the  hose  to a  vinyl  7  or  8 foot hose the cloth usually  leak after some  30 odd years  . And also  upgrade to enviro care  vacuum  bags  .

 

[kirbylux77]

Alex, that's a nice mint Revelation you found there! And remarkably complete too.

I agree with Antoine though....buy yourself a nice vinyl hose and save the cloth one for show. It will eventually start to leak anyways. Also, with a machine back from the 50's, I would also suggest checking the motor's carbon brushes and replace them before they get too short. The Ametek motor carbon brushes have 1 flaw to them....as time goes on, the metal casing inside the plastic carbon brush holder which has the actual carbon brush in it can slip a little bit in the plastic and allow it to get a bit too close to the commutator. Once that happens, the commutator can get scarred and damaged, to the point that it requires replacement or replacing the entire motor. A motor that age there is NO WAY you will ever get your hands on a replacement commutator. Also, the carbon brushes are still available since they are used in central vac motors, but who knows for how long, so best to get them and a commutator stone and replace now while you can and extend the life of your motor.

Rob

 

[thevacomaticiec]

Good point on  the  carbon  brush  replacement and  good bag filter hose she will purr like a  kitten for years to come .

 

[vintagefox]

@ Kirbylux77

Already ordered a non-electric hose along with some bags/filters. Also thank you for the heads up on the motor brush holders. I had no idea! The commutator looks to be fine and there was no groove. I will place an order for a commutator stone and brushes to have on hand for the future.

 

[thevacomaticiec]

Were do you buy the stone for commutator my C8 has new motor and loud but bearing shut down are smooth.

 

[dysonman1]

Commutator seating stones come in a box of four. I order them from the same supplier that I order all my vac parts from. eBay often has them for sale as well.