Sunbeam vacuums

[colovacman]

Hi all...
One of my earliest vacuum memories is using our Sunbeam "hatbox" canister vacuum. It was off-white with light brown trim and had a gentle "purr" when it was on. I don't know whatever happened to it. I've been watching E-bay for a similar model but have only seen one like it in the past several years (very nice stainless steel -- went for over $150 I think). In any case, I've seen the square box canister and the one that looks like a suitcase (courier?). Does anyone know what the official name of the hatbox one is? Production dates? I've heard references that they had pretty decent suction but don't remember that about ours. I'd love to find one in good condition just to remember what it was like. Any info. you have would be greatly appreciated.

 

[akabent]

Sunbeam Vacuums

Hello, Colo!

If by hatbox, you mean to round, low cannister vacuum Sunbeam made, the one with two fairly large wheels (one on each side, more or less centered), the one I have from the early, early 60's is the Dual Deluxe. It is kind of two-tone beige, or perhaps beige and light-brown, and I believe is similar to one of the Hoover Celebrities but without any bulge from the motor showing as the top is strictly flat. However, even though in wonderful condition, mine hardly purrs, it is more of a roar, one reason I rarely turn it on. However, it is not the growl of a dry bearing, seemingly just a loud, pretty powerful motor. I wish I could post a pic but do not have that capability at this time. (It did come with, and I still have the turbine rug attachment).

 

[colovacman]

that's it

it looked just like that -- a hoover celebrity look alike with a flat top and bigger wheels on the side. I remember the turbine rug attachment on ours, too. The one I saw on e-bay was stainless steele and a light blue/green -- a beautiful machine. I was so young when we had it I just remember the machine and being fascinated by it but don't remember if it worked well or how loud it really was. Thanks for the update!

 

[vinvac]

Sunbeam

The first church I cleaned for had to of the round Sunbeams. They were awesome vacuums. I also remember them being on the loud side. Both were blue in color, tools were oddly shaped if I remember correctly. The dusting brush and crevise tool worked great on the pedal board to the organ. The main vacuum was a Eureka upright (3amp, white and gold, wood brush with beater bar)which I used in the sanctuary, used the Sunbeams on the fellowship hall wood floor and the two stairs leading to the basement. Later there was a Montgomery Wards 4 amp upright(eureka) orange in color to use in the basement.

When I really wanted to deep clean I would bring my mothers 508 Kirby, attatchments an all....

 

[hoover1060]

Sunbeam Vacuums

Like these?
1970 catalog page

 

[colovacman]

OMG

Those are fantastic! Thanks for posting Hoover1060. Those sure do bring back memories! It's great to see the description of them, too.

 

[tolivac]

My Mom used to have a Sunbeam Courier vacuum-very nice quiet,and powerful machine.Loved the attachments how they stowed inside-a "suitcase" vacuum?

 

[convertible68]

Very cool, I almost fainted looking through those Bennett Bros. catalogs (Blue Books) and seeing all of that great stuff!

 

[veg-o-matic]

That's it!

That round blue one at the bottom of the page! That's the one we had and the one I'm looking for!

veg

 

[sukething]

Wow..great pictures..

Yes I have a hat-box Sunbeam. Mine is blue and is still in the orange and white box that it came in. This was my grandparents, they bought it through the S&H green stamp store. After their Electrolux XXX died. They bought that one new as well from a salesman. They used the XXX for cleaning out the car and then vacuuming their basement floor. They bought the Sunbeam for that as well. They at that time probably could have gotten the lux fixed but didnt feel it was worth it being as old as it was.

I also have the suitcase one as well, but mine needs a new motor in it.


David