The Universal E65 (later VC6700) owner's manual .

[crevicetool]

Terry.....

I was looking for something that had the prices listed for this machine. I couldn't find it. But I did have this - I thought I would post it. It was a distributor's leaflet to hand out to retailers. It was dated 1947. So they were selling this machine at least that late. I wonder then, when the VC6702 began and ended production. That's the one that looked like the rocket ship. Because.....the last post here is for the Jet99, which started around 1949. I don't know then if they made those machines simultaneously offering both a tank and canister.

Notice, it's the same pictures as in the manual but they "painted over" the polished ends. They started painting the actual machine ends hammertone along with the body. This must be when they changed the model number.

 

[crevicetool]

I particularly like this side of the leaflet...

It shows all the sales aids available. I would love to have one of those counter signs...maroon with chrome-faced letters for $1.80! There's Universal's carrying case (chest).

 

[crevicetool]

Here's the Jet99....

1949 (I think)....and it's priced at $89.95. The newsletter article on the Consumer Reports.....Electrolux AE $89.75! We talked about this. I have this machine too.

 

[luxg]

Thanks for posting that Rick, very interesting that they also had a storage chest. I have a feeling there were more of those out there than we know about. Interesting to that the Jet 99 didn't have any wheels or runners. I wonder if it was hard to pull around. Or does it have wheels and we just can't see them?

 

[crevicetool]

No wheels on this model...

Though they did add them later. For this one, you could buy the "carrier" (shown on the ad under special introductory offer), that gave the machine wheels. It's a very heavy machine and sort of has runners pressed into the bottom of the machine. I think the intention was to place the machine in the center of the room and move it when your hose could no longer reach.

 

[akabent]

Well, I managed to keep....

....my shirt on(your directive, above.) However.......Oops!
VERY NICE PICS, Rick. And very fun to see. (Brings back great memories of machines of my childhood at least 8 years back.) LOL
Rick

 

[crevicetool]

Got this one today.....

and someone - who will remain nameless - forced me to stay up and scan this one. It was a large one, Life magazine sized so I scanned it and cut and pasted (literally) and re-scanned it.

More confused than ever now as to which machines were offered when, as now THREE different models are displayed in this ad!

Gotta get up to New Britain...

 

[vintagehoover]

Does anyone have information about, or photos of, the 2 Universal uprights pictured in the ad Rick posted above? Were they good? Popular? Reliable? I don't remember seeing many (if any) on eBay...

(and who needs a 'New' Britain? What's wrong with the old one?!)

 

[luxg]

I can't imagine anyone who would be so thoughtless as to make you stay up to get this scanned. You just never know about people. But considering the fact that this is an "offer of your life" I know that I sure appreciate the fact that you did!! We learn something new everyday. I didn't realize that Universal offered a cart for their vacuums, sure makes it look like a Kenmore Commander on the cart. Any idea of the date for this ad Rick? For $74.50 you sure didn't get many attachments. I would have gone for the Deluxe model myself!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[aeoliandave]

OMG, OMG, OMG! Just had a Universal/Kenmore/Eureka revelatio

Rick, could you do cropped scan of the lower right corner showing the Universal on the cart? By screwing up my eyes I can almost tell that is the very same 'kenkart' type trolley my Kenmore Commander came strapped in to. The wide strap with snap fasteners looks the same! Btw, the handle is in two parts and I turned mine around to tuck it into the corner. I knew at the time it wasn't the official Kenmore Ken-Kart and figured it was some Fits-All aftermarket trolley for any cylinder.

Come to think of it, I seem to recall something about Universal labeled on the bottom, but of course I always assumed that meant Generic universal fit.

Later today I will pull it out of the corner and take way too many pictures of the Mystery almost Solved Cart.

Dave, re-thinking assumptions.

 

[aeoliandave]

I also thought the yellow cloth Tool caddy bag was home-made to fit the frame. It has 3 sets of snaps to accommodate larger diameter vacuums.

 

[akabent]

Dave!!! Cord Alert!

Hey Dave,

The pic on the stair-case does show the cord. It is black, rubber, very flexible, easy to coil!! The plug, however, remains a mystery!!!!
Rick

 

[aeoliandave]

Good eye, Bent Rick. She has it plugged in up on the second floor.

Crevice Rick - the cart handle is one piece aluminum tube and attaches to the cast aluminum gray crinkletone base with thumbscrew bolts from underneath. It's turned around anyway.

Davy

 

[aeoliandave]

Universal calls theirs the Roll-A-Vac Carrier.

Mine's labeled the clumsier off the tongue Car-Ree-Vac Model 2-A made by the Car-Ree-All Products, Inc., Minneapolis Minnesota.

Looks for all the world like the same darn contraption. My guess is Car-Ree-All supplied these to Landers Frary & Clark's UNIVERSAL Division.

 

[aeoliandave]

The cloth caddy is held taut by rods top & bottom.

The back pockets for hose, cord, dusting & upholstery brush, floor/wall brush and crevicetool.

 

[aeoliandave]

Front pockets for wands and rug nozzle - this missing piece. So I stuck a Kenmore cream aluminum one in there.

 

[aeoliandave]

The chromed sprung steel thingies on the back serve no structural purpose as the handle fits snugly into the base secured with rubber washers and wing nuts. I determined tho that they act as sled skids to pull the cart smoothly up and down the stairs without fouling on the wheels.

Ribbed rubber panels to keep the cylinder from getting marred and a deep well for splitting and directing free exhaust down and up the front & back so no floor bunny blasting. It will, however, blow her dress up...

 

[aeoliandave]

Underside of the cast base.

OK Rick, awaiting your Universal Roll-A-Vac detailed scan...

Dave

 

[akabent]

You have some really wonderful

machines, Dave!! Very eclectic, really great collection of tanks!
Rick (p.s. The 'radiator picture' and the 'refigerator picture' also show that supple, black cord!! ((I have this reputation that ties in with original cords and plugs, in case that reputation has not made it to Canada!!!))
RB

 

[crevicetool]

If anyone else was running my scanner......

they could have gotten it to do what they wanted it to.....but since it's me - This is as good as I know how to do!

Rick

 

[crevicetool]

I need to take a class....

 

[aeoliandave]

Perfectly scanned, Rick. Thankyou for solving the mystery id

Clearly the self-same vacuum cylinder 12" x 14" cart right down to the rubber capped front feet, gleaming chromed frame & stair gliders and wide belt with snaps running under the handle. Ratz, now I'm gonna have to find a Universal Cylinder, since the Commander has wheels and front skid.

Mine doesn't have a heavy Duck attached to the back though. :-( Perhaps I could substitute a rubber chicken...the hose pocket is capacious enough for a Butterball turkey...

Dave

 

[crevicetool]

When I would "view" the scanned image, you couldn't see the lady, and the picture of the cart was nice and big. But when I post it or print it, this is what I get.

 

[crevicetool]

Jack:

I have seen two Universal uprights on EBay. They both went for very high prices. They resembled Kirby's (vertical fan). This ad is supposed to be from 1951 according to the seller - it's obvious they changed styles by then. I've included a scan of yet another article I have with the earlier type on it. There is also a picture of me when I was so damned cute. I'm the one playing with the vacuum - not the one in the dress!

Rick

Incidentally, us American types often named our new settlements after our homes in the "old countries". New England, New Britain, New Snellville. Not kidding about the last one. Before they changed the name to honor the town's first family (Snell) it was known as New London.

 

[aeoliandave]

Are you still using that 1970s suitcase Compac computer with the 7" screen or moved up to the 12" Jello pudding flavourbud Barbie iMacpod?


Runs for his life...Dave

 

[arh1953]

Rick's using a Wizard Citation computer.

 

[luxg]

Rick, you were so cute in that picture!! Thanks for the additional pictures.

 

[akabent]

You are indeed cute in that picture

???And nobody figured it out at THAT point??
(Also runs for his life!)
Rick

 

[louvac]

Rick.....I have one of these Universals which I believe is badged under the "HouseKeeper" name. Is this possible? Like the picture shows The hose connection on the machine end is different. It works via pressure fitting. One simply turns the coupler which then swells the rubber ring thus holding it inside the bell end. I will have to retrieve my instruction booklet which is with the machine in my mom's walk-up attic....Like Madonna's song, and one of my favorite...."This Used To Be My Playground", this attic is my "remote" vacuum storage site and is definitely one of my favorite playgrounds!