Old Rexair on "American Restoration"

[vac_whisperer]

I was watching a rerun of American Restoration, and they had a man being in an old Rexair to be restored. He said it was used by the army, and only about eight remained in the world. Anyone for anymore info on this?

 

[dysonman1]

Model 3 Rexair

The model 3 Rexair was only manufactured DURING World War II. Rexair was a wholly owned subsidiary of Martin-Perry Corp. Martin-Perry was outfitting hospital ships. They had a government contract to do so, and began manufacturing a unique model (model 3). ALL model 3 serial numbers begin with 3. After the war, the model B came back, starting with serial numbers 4XXXXX. They didn't do a very good job of restoring that model 3 on the TV show. Mike Pletcher and RJ Vanik both have model 3's and they are in far better shape than the one on the TV show - and they didn't cost $5000 to restore. During the war, model 3's were ALSO sold to the public, but they had to have a doctor's prescription. The attachments and wands were green plastic. The hose was rubber with no cotton braiding. The motor was unique as well. Only because the government had a contract with Rexair, were they allowed to tool up to make that machine.

 

[goadie12]

Do you have a link to the episode where they had the rexair on thanks? Zach

 

[vac_whisperer]

Ill see if I can find one. I was watching it on the teevee.

 

[gsheen]

What episode American Restoration ? I love that show

 

[vac_whisperer]

It is fairly new...it was on a week ago. I think it was 99.

 

[s31463221]

Link to episode

I believe this is what you were looking for. If it doesn't work, let me know. Enjoy!

http://www.history.com/shows/americ...rican-restoration-vacuum-daze?m=512650e03091a

 

[rainbowjoel]

I can't view it.

 

[dustin]

In my opinion, they didn't do that great of a job on it- they apparently didn't do much to the motor, because it sounded awful even after they were done, and they should have tracked down at least reproductions of hose and attachments, not a plain old vinyl hose. That seemed like way too much money for what they did, and it looked like they painted it with cheap rattle cans.

 

[beerad]

Yes

I think they did a very poor restoration job .

 

[beerad]

Yes

I think they did a very poor restoration job .

 

[beerad]

$5000???

For that restoration of the Rexair?

Highway Robbery!!

 

[electrolux137]

 


 


It's very likely that the guy got his Rexair done for nothing in consideration for appearing on the show. TV studios have very deep pockets, so to pay $5000 to the guy to restore the vacuum cleaner wouldn't even be chump change to them.

 

[beerad]

Highway

Robbery .

That is just silly,

Ido get what you are saying about studios having deep pockets.
However I would not pay that amount .

 

[dysonman1]

The man who had it restored is named Joe Falsetta. He's from San Diego. He's a deaf Rainbow dealer. Very odd duck. He did actually pay $5000 to have it restored, the show paid none of it. They just filmed it. The show did call to the Museum for information on the machine. I gave them all I had, including photos of the original. The motor sounded horrible - the bearings are still available so I don't know why they didn't go ahead and rebuild it all the way.

 

[s31463221]

Link

Joel,

You're right, I'm checking this at work and I can't get it to play for me either. I'll look into it and see if I can get it working and re-post it.

I too love watching American Restoration, but I have always thought Rik charges WAY too much for the work he does, yes most of the time things turn out beautifully, and I haven't watched this episode yet, but I just can't imagine doing a full resto on a machine, charging that kind of money, not FULLY going through it and rebuilding everything that needs rebuilt, including the motor!

I have restored a few machines myself and I guess I'm too meticulous with the vacuums I restore as I wouldn't dream sending it out my doors without going through EVERYTHING on it......but I can tell you, I haven't charged even a 10th of what Rik charged for that resto!!!

 

[beerad]

Yes

It's called "Gowging".
After seeing this, I think I will choose to NOT watch the show.

 

[rainbowjoel]

it going show it tomorrow history channel 120 7:30am Mountain time at dish network.

 

[gman]

Now on Ebay

A steal at $19,995.95

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/264570242085

 

[crazykirbydude]

$20000 for a vacuum!?!?!?!

Brand new Toyota Corolla or poorly restored Rexair?

 

[tolivac]

Spider and fan intake rusted.They can do better than that for 20 grand.

 

[davevac]

Free shipping !

At least it has free shipping.
I'd hate to pay $ 20 K and also have to pay shipping....
Yeah, right !

 

[dysonman1]

I think it's on eBay because it's one of those "Look what I have" type of things. Show me the fool with $20,000 for a terribly restored model 3 Rexair, and I will show you some swamp land I have for sale in New York City.

 

[rainbowd4c]

I think there could be more to it. A few years back I remember people had posted an antique 1900 carpet sweeper for a huge amount of money on Ebay. It was actually talked about on here. But I remember when they posted it they were trying to scrape money together to try and save the house they were in that was in forclosure. They knew they would never get what they wanted but they were desperate and doing everything they could. Maybe this is similar? Who knows.

 

[gregvacs28]

ummmmmm   <span style="font-size: 24pt;">

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[oreck_xl]

What's more for $20,000.00 he's not even showing the hose or any attachments. That much for a poorly restored Rexair with NO attachments? No thanks.

 

[luxlife]

He must be smoking something really good...

Kinda reminds me of the fool who glued Swarovski crystals to vacuums in order to justify the jacked up price.

It also speaks poorly of the TV series, that all they could manage for a particular episode was a piss-poor restoration of a vacuum.

 

[lesinutah]

Wow

The didn't over spray the spray paint. Letters were taped in uniform fashion. The seller on eBay verbiage is also impressive.
Looking at the pics on eBay I wouldn't trust the vacuum restorer to fix a toy vacuum let alone a rare one.
Id imagine it would be painted like a car similar to the atlas. I believe the spray paint on WW2 jeeps had more talent.
Vacuum collectors are given a bad name by some televised fruit loops.
Les

 

[dysonman1]

I know the entire story with that machine. There are no tools or hose. The seller is a Rainbow dealer, and genuinely believes he will get twenty grand for that machine. Rexair Incorporated has two of them, one at the factory in Cadillac which is in perfect condition and one at the home office (not good condition).