Possible Wilfa clone?

[convertible68]

I saw this strange "Ford" vacuum on eBay...have never heard of it before, but I thought the chrome ends looked familiar! Also, check out those beefy runners!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130021767926&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=003

 

[charles~richard]

Wilfa

From what I understand about the Wilfa, it was 'badged' under a number of different brands, and I believe the FORD brand was sold for 120v markets -- I've seen Ford machines before; but can't remember where. Maybe on Canadian collector Doug Smith's site??

This one on eBay definitely is a Wilfa -- see photo below of my Wilfa for comparison.

You can see a lovely display of other Swedish machines, including a number of Wilfas, at the link below. These are the very sweet couple who sent me my beautiful candy apple red Wilfa. (I have not heard from the Galaasens in a long time btw)

I think Swedish machines from the 40s-50s are just incredible! Amazing, often over-the-top, styling and aesthetics.



http://www.137.com/galaasen

 

[countryguy]

Re: Wilfa

I am kicking myself now because I had in my possession what I believe was a Wilfa or at least a clone of one. Actually it belonged to my grandmother. I remember she kept it under the bed (lack of closets in the house). There was a rubber hose, wands, and all the attachments including one which looked like a mop (for dusting floors). When I finished university, moved to Toronto, she gave it to me for my first apartment. I ended up tossing it in the garbage when I bought my first brand new Electrolux AP280.

 

[eluxomarty]

Isn't it funny if only we knew then what we know now, we would have some rare or at least hard to find machines. I kick myself for getting rid of my Gram's AirWay 66. I have a duplicate now but if I only had the original. Why on earth did i give it away? I also passed on a Apex tank and a Singer Roll a Magic because I was "only collecting Hoover". My rule of thumb now is to get a vacuum even if I have it so i can offer it to a fellow collector instead of seeing it go to a house where it will not be taken care of.