"IT'S HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE......."

electrolux~137 · Apr 23, 2011

I came home this afternoon and saw that a big box with a yard-vac was waiting for me on my front porch!

A powerful rush of feelings came over me as I unpacked the Electrolux Model E from the Stroud family, our former neighbors on Leicester Terrace in Hampton from 1957 through 1961.

I have not laid eyes on this vacuum cleaner since 1961.

I just sat there and stared at it, hardly believing it's actually here. It has survived all these years as if biding its time, waiting for me to finally claim it.

Cue theremin: {{{*oooooooEEEooooooo*}}}

Some of the accessories have been replaced, but the machine itself is exactly as I remember it. In every detail. Such is the searing power of obsession, I suppose..

Madame Pepperoni seems to be thinking, "Oh NO.... What new monster is THIS?!"

The machine has a few "battle scars" but all in all is in lovely condition, just bearing out my recollection of what good care my friend's mom took of it. I clearly remember how she would disconnect the hose and attachments after use, neatly wind the cord up and then nicely arrange it all on the floor of the hall closet. My mom, on the other hand, would just heave the whole thing, all connected, into the closet when she was done, tossing the cord in on top of it!

One of the signs of the care it was given is the cord -- it still has the original cord with the original Belden plug!

And look how clean it is inside:

Looking at the round dusting brush sure made me chuckle -- it was so well used that the bristles are almost completely worn down! I've never seen one used this thoroughly!! She surely must have loved that attachment ... especially since it's a replacement: Going by its color she would probably have gotten it (and the hose) in the late 1960s or early '70s.

The floor side of the brush is also very worn down, but the carpet side is practically flawless, other than being bit dirty.

The crevice tool obviously is another well-used attachment:

Her husband replaced the switch as some point. I must say, the repair was done very handily. Since he did such a nice job with it, I'm going to leave it as-is. If I didn't have a few other 'specimens' of the Model E, I might be tempted to change it back to an original switch. Keeping it this way makes it a little extra special.

There =is= something odd with the motor that I can't figure out until I get it out of the housing. It runs at full speed, but the suction is very wimpy even at the hose opening. It may be that the fans are clogged with "schmutz" but doubt it since the bag chamber is so sparkling clean. 

Usually you find gunked-up fans when you open the front cover and take out the bag and it looks like a filthy septic tank in there. I may have to pick some other Electrolux collectors' brains about it, and ultimately may just replace the motor if I can't figure out what's wrong and how to fix it. But I'll have to think about that. It would aggrieve me a bit to have to change out the motor since it's the original.

She* will assume a place of Top Honor in my office.

-------
*The Model E is, to me, dainty and ladylike. The deluxe E'lux at that time -- the Model LX -- is the "manly model," weighing in at a very beefy 37 lbs. compared to the 17-pound Model E.



[this post was last edited: 4/23/2011-03:31]

arh1953 · Apr 23, 2011

I'm glad you finally got that, it's about the most interesting childhood memory/dream come true ever! Enjoy her in good health!

kirbyduh · Apr 23, 2011

Model E...

That is very nice, Not to mention very special! Congratulations!

kenkart · Apr 23, 2011

Motor!

Charles....I have seen quite a few of these that the motor itself has worked out of the mounting ring allowing air to escape, could be that...

collector2 · Apr 23, 2011

Hi Charlie:

Great aquisition. Congratulations.

Re the suction I would say Check the motor ring. Given the age of the machine its probably split which would account for the lack of suction. That was a very common problem and easily remedied.

Doug

vacumaniac · Apr 23, 2011

Very nice ending to a lifelong dream! Congrats!

hoovercelebrity · Apr 23, 2011

Fabulous!

I agree with you about that switch re-do... it is done very nicely!

Awesome that you got that machine!

Thanks, as always, for sharing!

brandon_w_t · Apr 23, 2011

Wow! It is in lovely shape for being used for so many years! It definitely came from a super loving home!

Congrats Charles! I know you shall cherish it.

hamiltonbeachbo · Apr 23, 2011

Charles,

That is an incredible addition to your collection.

Having machines where you have that kind of connection is awesome.

I have a machine that fits that mold.

I have a very close best friend from grade school who recently inherited his grandparents cottage that was build in 1928.

In a room of the garage he found his grandmother's Hoover Convertible model 65.

He dropped it off last Christmas holiday season since he knows I'm a member of this club.

It was disgustingly dirty but for the most part intact.

I tore it completely down and scrubbed, polished and tuned every part.

It is completely original except for the cord, cord restraint and headlight lense.

The paint is completely worn at the top of the handle.

Every time I use it, I connect with its past, even though I never met his grandmother.

Connections like you and I have to machines with personal history is very special.

Enjoy that beautiful lux and all the character marks that make it so special.

Kudos to you on receiving a very special addition to your collection.

ENJOY!!

psf

suckolux · Apr 23, 2011

Thrilled for you Charles, not a machine like your past, but THE machine! What a difference that makes, another story of yours that just gives one the warm and fuzzies.Enjoy! d.

portable · Apr 24, 2011

Charles -

Congratulations on getting your Holy Grail. How nice that the great history is part of it.

"IT'S HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE......."

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