Recent Finds: Electrolux AP Series

[sireluxomatic]

Here are two great finds, courtesy of Doug Smith: the AP 200 and AP 280. When I was growing up in the 70's, the AP series had recently started production, and consequently I saw these machines everywhere. Even on my side of the street, with six houses, there were two AP 280s and an AP 100 (My family never had an Electrolux until the 90's, and the other houses had, I think, Filter Queens, but that's another story).

Admittedly, the 70's represented a step backwards in terms of style for Electrolux...the beige/yellow/brown tandem leaves a bit to be desired, but I find they do grow on you after a while, and they have a lot more "personality" than their younger brothers, the E2000/2100/etc.

Doug can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the AP series shared the same motor as the late 89; they sound exactly the same, but the AP motor is quite a bit louder. Still, it has a pleasant sound, and provides tons of suction. The power nozzles, too, are exactly the same as the U.S. PN II, but with different styling, and are noticeably quieter.

Pictures to follow.

 

[sireluxomatic]

AP 200

Here's the AP 200, missing a few attachments and with a replacement plug, but otherwise original and complete. For some inexplicable reason, this hose doesn't have the famous Canadian trigger handle. The same pattern was used on the later Super J hose.

Note the matching "Trivac" electric broom.

 

[sireluxomatic]

AP 280

Here's the AP 280, also almost complete and with the original plug. This is a 2-speed model, which comes in handy for light dusting. Note the ridiculously short hose (which does have the trigger handle, however).

 

[countryguy]

My first vacuum was an AP280, brand new from the dealer, complete with the tool storage container as shown in your pic. It was $420 with no trade. The hose did have the trigger handle but I found the hose to be a bit too stiff for my liking and the extra 3-4 inches of plastic reinforcement at the end of the handle made it difficult to use when using the upright tools. Foolishly, I traded it in on a 6500SR in the late 90s.

Gary

 

[sireluxomatic]

The AP Brothers Together

Here are all 3 of the top-of-the-line AP models: 100, 200, and 280. I believe there were basic (i.e. straight suction, non-automatic) versions of the 100 and 280 as well. Now, I suppose, I'll have to complete the attachment sets and find the matching shampooer/polishers and Trivacs.

*After I took and posted these pictures, I realized that I do have a few more attachments for these models. Oh well.

Bob

 

[sireluxomatic]

Hose Collars

I can see the reason Electrolux added the collar on the handle end, but I wish they hadn't sacrificed the length of the hose. All of the previous hoses I have are considerably longer and easier to use. Any Electrolux hose with that collar is practically unusable for any task.

As for the Epic 6500, its a good vacuum, but it suffers from issues that we've talked about before with the hose and wands, and its god-awfully loud. The APs sound like a gentle breeze compared to the Epic.

 

[countryguy]

The noise is one of the reasons that I got rid of my 6500.

My aunt had a non automatic AP100. It did not have a cord winder either.

Gary

 

[sireluxomatic]

You'd think that adding the "tool garden" to the top of the Epic 6500 would muffle the motor noise a bit, but it must amplify it instead. Its downright irritating after a few minutes of use.

Gary, did your aunt's AP 100 have a place to wind the cord? I'd love to see pictures of these basic models, as I don't ever recall seeing them before. Ah well, more "must-haves" for the collection.

 

[countryguy]

No there was no place to wind the cord on the AP200. It looked just like the automatic version except without the automatic dial and the light.

Gary

 

[sireluxomatic]

A basic model without a power nozzle would be perfect in these days of homes with bare floors throughout.

Here's a link to a guy on Youtube who has all the AP models, although it sounds like at least one of his machines has a replacement motor.



http://www.youtube.com/user/MrOlifr