Two Tone Filter Queen Model 33. I'm So Confused.

[d-jones]

I came across this eBay listing the other day and it really has me wondering what was going on at Filter Queen in the 1970's. It's a two tone model 33, and I have to confess I never even knew such a thing existed, and yet there it sits. It has the power nozzle outlet, the two speed motor switch, and the spring loaded cord winder; all features found on the model 33. The seller even calls it a model 33, but it has the same two tone paint scheme found on the early model 31's. I had always assumed(apparently incorrectly)that the progression went from monotone model 31 in cream(I've only seen pictures of these)to two tone model 31 in cream and brown(I have one), to monotone model 31 in brown(my sister has one), to monotone model 33 in brown(my other sister has one). In essence, I had always thought the progression was more linear with each new model driving the previous one out of production. But now I have to wonder if more than one model was in production at the same time. Can anyone out there shed some light on this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Filter...400591445664?pt=US_Vacuum&hash=item5d451c5ea0

 

[dysonman1]

In 1978, FQ added the heat shield to the top dome of the machine on the tan model, and would follow the next year with the heat shield on the dark brown model. The tan model with power nozzle but NO heat shield was made 1974 - 1978 in several shades. The FQ distributor could order them in one of three color schemes, with or without a cord winder.

 

[d-jones]

Thanks for that information, Tom.

So more than one model WAS in production at the same time. That more or less changes everything I thought I knew about Filter Queen production dates. So at this point when trying to figure out approximately when a machine from this period was made, serial numbers are useless, paint schemes are useless, features are useless and model numbers are useless. I give up.

 

[vacuumman206]

I have a model 33 looks just like that except w/o a pn port. I don't know a single thing about filter queens but it certainly is a nice machine.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

I have one that is all salmon without the lighter cream color dated 1972 on the armature and also has the pn ( same pn as in the above picture) I believe it's also a model 33

 

[dysonman1]

The date stamped onto the motor gives the approximate date of manufacture. All Lamb motor have the date they were made in blue numbers and letters, stamped onto the upper motor housing. Since Filter Queen vacuums run very clean (2 layers of cellulose filter cone), it's unlikely very many Filter Queen vacuums ever had their motor replaced.

You guys have to remember that the distributor was very important to the Factory/Company. They are the actual customers, as they purchase (at wholesale) large quantities of machines from the factory. The Factory has a wholesale price list for different 'versions' of the machine. I learned in 1978 about this. I have a Golden Jubilee model 31X from 1978 with the tag still on the handle. This same machine was also available in brown. Both tan and brown/chrome versions were available either with or without a cord winder. It was up to the distributor in the area which model they bought. If the dealer had been in business for a long time, they might go with the dark brown with cord winder to 'show' to people they sold a tan straight suction no-cord-winder machine in the 1960's. If they were 'new to the area' (as they were in St. Louis in 1978), they ordered the least expensive tan model with no cord winder, and it was this machine I bought for $600 (of grass cutting money) in 1978.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Tom did you buy it from Ruth?

 

[d-jones]

That's a pretty machine, Tom. Though I have to admit I prefer them without the plastic heat shield on top. I've always thought the two tone machines were classy looking, and the model 31 my parents baught in 1975 has performed well ever since. Apart from the two speed motor switch, it's the spitting image of the machine seen above in the eBay listing. Until a couple of months ago it even had it's original hose, but after nearly forty years of tool changing, the tools had developed a tendency to fall out while my parents were trying to use them, so a new one was finally ordered. It's not the same quality of the original, but at least the tools stay put. All in all they're great machines, that like many of their high end contemporaries are more than capable of outlasting their owners.

Thanks again for your insights. They make things much clearer.

 

[rugsucker]

and another choice-

There have also been times when the distributor could choose metal or plastic dirt container. But as above no matter which combination of features or colors a FQ has it is a long life quality vac.