Variations of the Air-Way Sanitizor 88 Mark Series

[aeoliandave]

A few months ago Brian aka shag who lives just north of me messaged that he had an Air-Way to give away, probably as a parts machine. I asked what colour combination it was, as I have several 88s and Marks standing around the place.


When he said it was white on top and dark gray on the bottom I said sure, I don't have one of those, drop it by next time you're in Stratford.


 


This is what was waiting on my doorstep on Valentines Day. Includes two hoses, aluminum J wands and a bristled floor tool. It is labeled a Mark V and has the PN powerport.


 


Something was different about it, though. It's the first Mark V I've seen with the full size corner 'sputnik' runner rails.


I thought they had been discontinued when the wheels and caster Marks were introduced.

[this post was last edited: 2/17/2012-22:38]

 

[aeoliandave]

But this one also had tricycle landing gear.


Notice though that the rear wheels are quite small and set between the runners, unlike all other wheeled Marks.


Note also the singular cord wrap hook at the bottom. Again, never seen this before.


Judging from the axle support frames and screw holes this is the original configuration.

 

[aeoliandave]

All other Marks I've seen have the much larger wheels set further outboard with an integrated cord wrap foot...and no side rails at all.


 


Like these two Mark II's, which have variations of their own. The right one has no bottom exhaust port. Rather, it has an outlet on the side opposite the foot switch and the motor shroud is 1/2" taller.


 


Takes care of the carbon blast to the carpet when upright...but on it's wheels the port still faces down...

[this post was last edited: 2/17/2012-22:41]

 

[aeoliandave]

Side by side comparo of the two Mark II's, showing the exhaust port. The height difference is subtle but genuine.

 

[aeoliandave]

Then I have this yellow Mark V with the PN port that features purely cosmetic decorative shortened 'sputnik' bumper rails.


 


Again, huge wheels and a cord wrap foot.


 


Sure would like the yellow caddy and tool set for this.

[this post was last edited: 2/17/2012-22:43]

 

[aeoliandave]

Back to the gray & white Mark V, it's going to need a new motor but is otherwise in great shape.


You can see how low profile the tucked in wheels and the caster are.

 

[aeoliandave]

Turns out this is not unusual, just a variation. I found this same machine in Doug Snith's files. What year, I wonder?


 


A better view of the wheel axle - it's a one piece unit incorporating the central cord wrap hook.


 


I like the look of this set-up with the corner runners and it is easier to wrap the cord when the machine if standing upright.


 


It will be well worth the effort to replace the motor and give 'er the full spa treatment. I'll take aluminum wands over chromed steel any day. Thank you, Brian.

 

[moparhemipower]

VERY NICE Dave!! :-D

I don't know much about those, never had one, in fact, I don't have ANY Running Vintage Canister Vacs, have a Hoover Portable and Pixie in it's Original Box with EVERYTHING, but both stopped Working, the Pixie while I was Vacuuming out my Chrysler and a couple others for a little Cash at a HUGE Show in Clarion PA this Summer, my Ex GirlFriend Shelby Broke my Portable, so right now, I only have my Kirby Heritage II to use as a Canister and for Cleaning my Cars, which works PERFECT, but I can't take it anywhere with me though, especially not to any Auto Shows. :-( HOPEFULLY I'll not only get my Hoover's Fixed, but find a Good Vintage Canister Vac like yourself there Dave, Good Luck with the Motor and all!!

James C. Gockel

 

[venson]

Very interesting . . .

Really nice finds. I haven't seen many of these.

The first new AirWay I bought in the '70s -- pretty usual in style -- came with a large cast aluminum power nozzle that unfortunately didn't clean well.

 

[rolltide]

Hello all. I'm new here but have followed
The forum for about a year now. I just recently became interested in Air-Way after many years of hearing about how awesome they are. Now that I have found a couple of late model canisters for sale, I'm wondering is there a place you all could point me to locate a hose and power Nozzle. One of the models Says Rugmaster and the other is a Centurion. I look forward to future conversation with you all !!
Thanks
Mark

 

[rugsucker]

AirWay

cord hook and no bottom exhaust--I don't think I have seen this.Could it be Canadian only?--wheel update--At one time I did some service work for an AirWay dealer who was better at selling than repairing.We replaced many weak or broken front wheels by removing the one wheel and adding 2 holes on either side to to update to 2 wheels each using 2 of original holes and 2 new holes.--tool caddy--I have in a box somewhere possibly a few blue and very few yellow caddys,not mint but not terrible,will try to set aside when they reappear.

 

[aeoliandave]

Jimmy, they could very well be Canada-only features, since both were found in Canada and the blue Mark II with side exhaust port was made under license by Switson Industries, also indicated by the Model No 88C.


 


The 'Valentine' Mark V has no manufacturer's plate and no rivet or screw holes where one might be attached.


 


I suspect that the Air-Way Limited office in Windsor Ontario was simply a business address for machines made by Switson in their Welland Ontario plant.


I don't recall the date it became law but I do know that American Companies wishing to retail in Canada were required to have a separate Canadian physical location to do so.


 


This was the case with Hoover who built a factory in Hamilton/Burlington to manufacture Hoovers for sale.


Most US makers other than Hoover and Electrolux, who made their machines in their own Canadian plants, had them made by a 3rd party company in Canada, like Switson or <span style="background-color: yellow;">Onward</span> <span style="background-color: yellow;">Manufacturing</span>. Both Canadian Companies are frequently cited on plates for many other brands that did not have the sales figures to justify a whole-ly owned factory. The other one is Onward Manufacturing that was located in Kitchener Ontario.


I don't know where Filter Queen, Lewyt and General Electric had their Canadian plants but certainly those I've seen have a Canada label somewhere, if only on the motor.


 


More cross-border trivia: Eureka USA made vacuum's for Penny's under the Penncrest and later just the J.C. Penney label. However, Eureka was best known for their <span style="background-color: yellow;">manufacturing</span> the "Wards Signature" line of vacuum cleaners made for Montgomery Wards from about 1960.


In Canada, slightly de-contented department store versions of the American Eureka  originals - Eaton's "VIKING", Hudson's Bay's "BAYCREST" and "BEAUMARK" brands. Dedicated vacuum stores always carried original Eurekas...made right here in Ontario by Kitchener's <span style="background-color: yellow;">Onward.</span>


<span style="background-color: yellow;">My 1960s Canadian Tire branded MASTER Cylinder was made by Switson. REGINAs were made by Onward.</span>


And so it goes...


<span style="background-color: yellow;">Between them these companies made most of our favorite vintage brands under license as well as produced the Owner Manuals and plastic and metal accessory tools; often you will find 'made in Canada' impressed in the molds.
</span>


 


Dave


 


Mmm, what did I do wrong cutting and pasting that I have yellow highlighting? Well, I'll figure it out...