KEN KART!

[kenkart]

Yes....Thats me, but here is what caused me to use that screen name...The 1956 Ken-Kart.

 

[kenkart]

Theone and only!

Kenmore cleaner with a curved lower wand, built by Birtman electric co.

 

[kenkart]

Rear View

Showing attachment storage.

 

[kenkart]

KENMORE!

When Sears really was something!

 

[kenkart]

Locking Wand..

Detail, showing the rubber seals.

 

[kenkart]

This Is.

One of my all time favorite cleaners,It really is over the top in every way, it is a very good performing unit too!..Here are the small attachments showing the big K emblem.

 

[eurekastar]

That really is great!  Can you show a pic of the bag chamber? 

 

[petek]

56 a very good year

It's the same age as me and still looking good , I have more cracks and creases .  


I've never seen on of them in real life that I remember. 

 

[portable]

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">Beautiful! I especially like the triangular floor tool. A very elegant looking machine.</span>

 

[compactelectra]

Hans!

That is a beautiful specimen!!!!  I love that machine, one of my dream machines.   I remember the good old days at Sears when at the local mall the vacuums were kitty-corner from the washers and dryers.  Oh the good old days.  I also remember them using a beach ball held up by a stream of air from a Kenmore vacuum in the vacuum department.  Anyone else remember that?  These Lady Kenmores that belong to Robert in Minneapolis could very well have been at the store with that vacuum at the same time.  In "pank" no less.  Popular color at the time and fabulous!!!!  Ah yes, when Sears was great.


 


 

 

[compactelectra]

PS

Imagine vacuuming with that in 1957 in heels and pearls while your wash was going in the Lady Kenmores.  And then going shopping in your two-toned '57 Chevy.   ....Faints.....

 

[portable]

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">Fred - I remember the beach ball!</span>

 

[fan-of-fans]

Nice find, it looks great.

Were any of those attachments ever used on Whirlpool made Kenmores? I have a brown crevice tool that I think came with a 1983 or so Kenmore canister that my mother had. It is of the same mold as the crevice tool with your Ken Kart, but doesn't have the K on it.

 

[kenkart]

Yes!

The crevice tool, dusting brush and upholstery tool were continued when Birtman was bought out by Whirlpool, The curved lower wand and rug nozzle as well as floor brush were only used the one year on this machine, 1956.The reason you dont see this vacuum, is that it cost more than an Electrolux, over a hundred dollars with the optional cordwinder, which mine has.

 

[kenkart]

Also..

Whirlpool did away with the twist lock wands when they took over.

 

[collector2]

Beautiful machine. Have always loved the look of it. Definately a very unique machine. (It isnt the only Kenmore with a curved lower wand though - see catalogue page below)

Doug

 

[kenkart]

HA!!

You got me on that!!! I should have stated, no Kenmore sold in the US!!LOL!!Who made the one in the picture you posted, I have never seen anything close to that, it is definately NOT a Birtman built unit!

 

[collector2]

LOL - it was made in Holland (I believe by Erres) for the Simpson Sears stores in Canada. Couldnt resist throwing that one in.

 

[compactelectra]

Hans

Here are my two Ken Karts.  Nothing as fabulous as yours.  Tania got me a new hose for the green one on the left.  You gotta love Tania.  She always remembers what you have and what you need to make it better.  She even put the ends on the hose.