The Olympia Era

[eurekastar]

Over the last few days, I've been working on this Olympia era Model 1453. I took it completely apart and sanded, primed, and repainted it. It also required some minor body work. The motor was also completely disassembled and thoroughly cleaned. A new fan bearing was installed and the top sleeve bearing received a new dose of oil to carry it for another 40 years. It looks and runs like new!

 

[eurekastar]

I guess Electrolux opted for a foam gasket between the motor and the bag chamber. I have a Silverado era 1453 and it was completely rotted so I replaced it with the conventional rubber gasket that attaches to the bag chamber. But this foam gasket was in very good shape so I just hand washed it in some dish washing detergent.

 

[eurekastar]

Here he is with the Olympia twins.

 

[jrdavis]

I havent seen one like the one in the first photo. where did it come from?

 

[eurekastar]

@jrdavis

The Model 1453 was the economy model made by Electrolux when the Model L was phased out around 1978. They came in three different colors (I think) during its run to correspond with the color of the current Deluxe model. The brown 1453 was produced during the production of the Olympia production run. The other colors were gray (Silverado) and white (Diamond Jubilee). I also have the later gray model. Both have the cord winder, which was an add on. It could also be ordered with a cord wrap (halo). I hope to come across a white 1453 to complete the ensemble!

 

[luxflairguy]

The 1453 was like the Model L was to the Model G. It too came with a cord halo on the back , and the cordwinder was an optional add-on. Great restore job! Greg

 

[jrdavis]

brings back memories...me and the other kids used to fight over who got to run the vacuum after school(Olympia 1) at a classmates house his mom watched us after school while mom and dad worked(I was in 1st grade) she let one of us vacuum every other day. I don't know about the other kids but vacuum interest stayed with me all this time.

 

[fantomfan57]

Nice job!

Have never seen one in person. I like the design.

Thanks for posting.

 

[n0oxy]

my mom has one of these

My mom still has one of these and it still runs great. We bought it either in the summer of 1982 or 1983, I was 8 or 9 at the time. She got the cord winder which was optional on this model, I think it uses the same motor as the 1205, not as powerful as the motor in the Super J or Olympia but it definitely got the job done.
Mike

 

[jrdavis]

what is your oldest vacuum?

 

[eurekastar]

Oldest Vacuum

My oldest vacuum is a 1940 Kirby 4C. The oldest Electrolux that I own is a 1947 Model XXX.

 

[collector2]

Hey Bill:

There was also a 4th model that matched the Marquis Delux (Taupe top). It was replaced by the LE part way through the run. This picture is from the web

Doug

 

[eurekastar]

@ Collector2

Wow! That must be VERY rare! Perhaps, some day...

 

[jrdavis]

nice- I have a 1939 and a late 1940s model XXX. I also have a model C and 2C Kirby but not a 3C or 4C. I only quit using my late 1940s XXX because the cord winder made it trip a breaker. seems it needs a new cord because it shorted out inside the winder. also the spring has sprung

 

[keither]

You did na incredible job restoring your Olympia Special Model 1453 ! I also like your display with the twin Olympias! Thanks for sharing !

 

[n0oxy]

my oldest vacuum

My oldest vacuum is an Air-way model 55, I'm not sure if it was made before or after World War II, other older vacuums that I have are a Eureka canned ham from around 1958, I absolutely love that machine, the Lamb electric motor on those has a very nice sound, I also have a compact C6 which uses the same motor. When it comes to Electrolux machines, I have a 1205, an Olympia, those are metal, for plastic models, I have a 2100 which I think was also called the advantage, and an Aerus classic 90th anniversary edition.
Mike