Kenmore Destiny (Fantom Thunder) 9 amp

[sanitairered]

Found a Kenmore Destiny vacuum a couple weeks ago at goodwill. Features I found unique to this model include a 9 amp motor and a brushroll with a red beater bar and two rows of bristles on it. The suction on this machine is great, much better than on my other Fantoms. I'll be sure to include pictures. If anyone has any information about this vacuum please feel free to share. Enjoy!

 

[man114]

Wow

9 amp ones are had to find. I've only seen one ever, they imported them through Buffalo where I live and I've seen tons of Fantoms over the years and own 20 or more. I garbage picked a Fantom version once, there are some minor variations, the Fantom one had a longer cyclone cone than normal ones though I can't tell on this one with the dust bin in place. That's the original brush roll it came with.

You might have a difficult time getting a matching colored bumper.

 

[nicktechtalk]

The bumper...

The original Fantom, not the Thunder (I used to own one), had the white accents on the handle, hose, and bumper. It may make it easier to find a replacement bumper knowing that. Great find, hope you enjoy it!
Nick

 

[broomvac]

Sweet Fantom/Kenmore!

Wow, that is a great find! I'm on the lookout for an original Fantom (or similar) myself. I seriously doubt I will get as lucky as you in my search.

A couple of months ago, I passed up on a very nice Fantom Crosswind 600xl labelled as a Westinghouse on Craigslist. I didn't realize how rare such a thing was until recently; I've been studying up on Fantom's history. I guess I'm disappointed for passing up such a hard-to-find machine, but I don't feel quite so bad knowing now that it was not a dual cyclonic unit.

broomvac

 

[gj3476]

What year was the original fantom, fantom thunder, and kenmore destinys were made in?

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Wow you never see the first ones without the hepa filters. This is the one I'd love to find. My thunder has all the white trim but I'm pretty sure I have a hepa on mine. I think the white trim is attractive.
Never seen that brushroll before. I've had many Kenmore versions and that the first time I've seen the beater bar. I love that!

What do you think guys? Did the Fantom hit the market about 1991ish? The Vectron was late 80s and then this right after..... correct?

 

[man114]

Yeah it was around 1991

Sears here carried them. I remember the 9 amp ones being on clearance when the 11 amp ones arrived. I don't know if it was nationwide distribution or just because we were close to the whole operation.

 

[fantomtechguy]

Fantom Technologies Inc / IONA Appliances

IONA Appliances produced the Vectron for S.C. Johnson back in 1992-3. While it was privately made for commercial use only, they began to make a version for the public. In 1994, IONA made the Fantom vacuum, and it became so popular that IONA changed it's name to Fantom Technologies Inc. As they were making newer models, they gave designs and rights to Kenmore/Sears to make Uprights for their stores. Kenmore Destiny(Thunder), Destiny 2(Fury) and Destiny 3(Lightning).

 

[carolinaguy1996]

What about the Cyclone XT?

 

[icee]

Whoa!

That is just freakin awesome!

 

[broomvac]

Brush Roll

I fear I have been bitten by the Fantom bug. Strangely, I found a Fantom Thunder not long after posting in this thread. It is quickly climbing the list of favorite vacuums I've owned.

The brush roll on your Destiny looks as though it might use the same brush strips as the Vectron used. Are they in fact replaceable?

If so, good luck finding new ones. lol. Super cool, nevertheless!

broomvac

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=urj2w2rIKog

 

[fan-of-fans]

Somewhere on the forum there is a Sears catalog posted with the Kenmore Destiny in it. It was from right after the Singer made Kenmore Twin Fans were discontinued and the new Panasonic clean air uprights came out. Probably 1992-93 was that catalog year.

If you watch the Fantom Thunder video, I think there is a 9 Amp Kenmore Destiny that appears in it. I remember seeing it and wondering why that one had a red logo it and white trim. I like how it looks with the white and purple instead of all purple trim.