The perfect perfectly delightful email.

[aeoliandave]

Al, the round open framework sounds like the manual wind cord halo and its open spoke shape is what reminds me of an old fire hydrant or steamcock wheel. Later the halo became a one piece chrome funnel shape if you didn't order the recoil cord winder.

Doug will correct me if I'm wrong, as happens more frequently with age...er...maturity.

Not to worry, the shelves are leveled and very stable standing free but of course I have them bolted to the wall studs at the top. because even now my cats like to find their way to the top.

 

[compactelectra]

Since This Started

As a thread about unsolicited emails about the value of "vintage" vacuums - as webmaster I get about 2-3 emails a week inquiring about the value of a vintage vacuum. Sometimes, they pique my interest and I ask for a photo. More often than not it goes like this -

dear vacuum cleaners club i recently inherited a regal modle 975 cleaner any idea what this worth in money to a serious collecter its in very good condition and works with the original attachments in good condition also please e mail me if you know what this is worth so i have a idea

I would love to help everyone, but there really is not market for these machines. As Dave does, I usually suggest putting it on Ebay with good pictures and see what it brings.

The woefully undercompensated webmaster -
Fred

 

[kenkart]

DAVE!!!

What on earth is that wonderful turquoise colored swivel top ,next to the Electro Hygiene,I have never seen anything even remotely like it,I love canisters,tanks are ok..but that is like nothing I have ever seen..Hans Craig, Mocksville N.C.

 

[aeoliandave]

Howdy Hans. Thanks for asking.

That is a 1961 VIKING 107 made for The T. Eaton Co by Switson Industries, which I think was located in Welland Ontario (?). Similarly to Onward Manufacturing in Kitchener Ontario, Switson made vacuums under license for American companies such as Eureka to sell in Canada, since laws at the time required it. Canada's other major Department Store had vacuums branded for their stores as well - The Robt. Simpson company later allied with SEARS USA and thence known as The Simpsons-Sears stores here to handle the massive Mail Order catalogue sales...same as EATONS which was founded on Catalogue sales across the great Canadian frozen north & Prairies... Hoover of course built its own Hoover plant in Hamilton.

You will have noticed that the darker turquoise tools in the caddy that came with the Viking are Eureka molds - the lighter turquoise tools arrayed in front, such as the two Vibrabeats, are Eureka bits mixed in with some light blue Sunbeam nozzles I've found here and there on my thrifting sorties. Since this photo was taken I have been lucky enough to find a 1956 green Eureka Rotomatic and a 1959 model 1010 Mobilaire ham. From the parts bin I have been able to outfit them both with the missing green Eureka tools.

The Viking swivelhose connector and wands are interchangeable with the Eurekas and as is true of most Eureka saran woven hoses I come across, they are still virtually airtight and flexible after all these years.

 

[aeoliandave]

Doug Smith's photo of a second Model 107. I found mine in Petrolia Ontario.

If you haven't bookmarked Doug Smith of Moose Jaw Saskatchewan's website you must do it right now.

Dave

http://dkas1.50megs.com/index.html

 

[kenkart]

Viking

Thanks for posting pix, that is just outstanding,I have never seen anything like it in the states, although I have a Gem,made in 63 that has identical attachments,it is now sold under the name Water Matic,...If you ever get tired of that cleaner, let me know,I am always on the hunt for the unusual, thanks again for the pix, Hans

 

[kenkart]

Correction...

The gem has the same rug tool and felt pad...

 

[collector2]

Hi Al:

Had time to pop in briefly so I'll try to explain the Canadian Electrolux a bit.

While Electrolux was established in the US in the 1920's (1924 I believe) they didnt start in Canada till 1932, with the factory here opening in 1934. This difference of 8 years meant that the research and development part of the company in the US was well established by 1938 and produced a radically different model XXX where as the Canadian company at the time was not as well established and produced a model 30 based on the European design with slight modifications.

At various times during the history of Electrolux Canada US machines and/ or parts were imported and sold here, chiefly to test out how the Canadian market would react to various innovations, before they were incorporated into the Canadian designs.

Some US innovations went over well - like the cord reel, power nozzle and disposable bag, while others, like the dual action tools and tool saddle appeared briefly then were not seen again.

The main US machines that I have come across that were sold in Canada for these purposes were the model LX and AE (but with the full Canadian accessory kit - not the dual brushes)

Also at times when our Factory went on strike or was down due to some problem Electrolux Canada imported other Electroluxes to keep the Sales force going. Most notably the models 24 and 48 from England and the Golden J, Super J, Olympia 1 and 2 from the US.

While the US and Canadian companies were linked together by common ownership they still operated as pretty much independant companies till the late 1980's. Free trade screwed that up completely.

Doug

PS - Dave - the 57 bags fit onto the tube much like the bags for the Hoover Convertable do. I've never come across any original ones though.