Electrolux 89 Memories
Hello all. I’m new to this site (just introduced myself in another thread), and I thought I’d share my memories of Electrolux 89 vacuums and the 80 series Electrolux machines in general.
As far as the 89 goes, it was hands down the most popular vacuum of my young days, at least in my little city. A great many relatives, neighbors, and friends had one, not to mention a lot of businesses, stores, and hospitals. These included all the variations; some with green electric hose, some with green standard hose and wrap-around cord, some with the PN III, some with PN IV, and some with the green telescopic wand and some with the newer style sheath and steel wand. Every time I saw one I’d stand there staring like an awe-struck schoolboy, appreciating that beautiful green color and the solid looking appearance. Of course, when I got to actually use one, I was in heaven. That smooth, super-quiet sound just enthralled me.
However, my actual obsession dates from my very young days, when my grandparents owned two beautiful 86 machines. It pains me now to think they’re gone (along with all the above mentioned machines of friends and relatives), and I didn’t snap them up. Both of them were power nozzle equipped, but one of them only had the standard non-electric red hose and attachments, while the other had the green electric hose, telescopic wand, and PN IV of a model 89. I can still remember being good-naturedly chided for spending too much time playing with those machines (I suspect most of you have had the same experience), and thus began my half-thrilling, half-shamefaced, obsession with vacuum cleaners.
Going back to the 89 for a moment, I wonder if anyone remembers a “scent-filter” that attached to the blower receptacle? A great many people who had 89 machines also had one of these little filters, and the scent is firmly connected in my mind with the 89. Also, I often wonder why the 89 was so much more popular than the 88 and 86, at least in my experience. I rarely saw the latter machines, while the 89 was everywhere. Oddly enough, when I finally found an 88, I found myself liking that beautiful cherry-red color much more than the 89 green, but who can choose between two such lovely machines?
I also ran into a lot of confusion regarding the age of the 86-89 machines. I’ve asked several people who worked with Electrolux/Aerus, and got a different answer every time. One fellow told me (in 2003) that the 89 was over 50 years old! The official model history published by Aerus doesn’t help much either; several of the models are left out entirely. I’d love to see some original documentation on these machines.
