I've wanted one of these for so long

[gmerkt]

'Nother picture:

 

[whirlsonicmore]

Usually the cord was the only reason they stopped running. The purple model you have there was the first of the Direct Drive machines. The early models have cords with aluminum prongs. Theses cords failed often, so they started replacing them with cords that had brass prongs.

The handle release pedal itself is broken. If you look underneath, it will have part of the pedal missing where it would "spring" against the base assembly itself. They get replaced pretty often around here.

 

[gmerkt]

Okay, I got the control cover and handle back on, cut the plug off the cord, and it tested out okay. I'll get a gyppo replacement plug for it next time I'm out.

While I was out of the vacuum cleaner operating room, a couple of small parts disappeared. The cats like to play with loose, small objects so they had handily lost them for me. A few minutes of searching turned them up.

Yes, the handle release lever itself is broken because the integral "spring" is snapped off. I'll have to send to Sears for one of those or figure out a way to Mickey-Mouse it. At least they are dead simple to remove.