Vintage Kenmore Thread

[dysonman1]

I thought it might be fun to see everyone's vintage Kenmore Vacuum Cleaners. There have been so very many models throughout the years. The idea is to not post duplicates, but try to get as many different models as possible. Please feel free to contribute your own photos, so we might have the 'definitive' collection of Kenmore models for history. I'll start with my Kenmore Commander in near mint condition.

 

[dysonman1]

The KenKarts

From left, Premium Pink model, Deluxe Lakeside Green model, Economy Gray standard model.

 

[dysonman1]

The round grey Kenmore canister from 1956. Flip open lid for bag change. Same motor as KenKart models.

 

[dysonman1]

Mid 1960's - mid priced models using 5011 bags.

 

[dysonman1]

Mid 1960's economy model using 5011 bags.

 

[dysonman1]

Late 1960's "Sears Best" 2 speed PowerMate canister and Kenmore Floor Polisher (with cord winder).

 

[dysonman1]

Early 1960's canister (Lady Kenmore 2 speed Whispertone Model among them, with PowerMate)

 

[dysonman1]

Mid 1970's Sears Best 2 speed PowerMate canister

 

[dysonman1]

Early 1970's Green Kenmore "Sears Best" PowerMate canister and "Sears Best" hard body clean air upright.

 

[dysonman1]

Glamour shot of the Power Mate (early 1970's wood grain design)

 

[dysonman1]

Very late 1970's - Early 1980's Kenmore "Sears Best" canister with multiple speeds and 3 position handle switch.

 

[mjm0424]

Vintage Kenmore uprights

Here are three Kenmore uprights from the 40's,50's,&60's. the one on the left was my grandmothers'.

 

[mjm0424]

Kenmore upright

This little Devil, was hiding in the linen closet of a certain Mrs. Gardenia. Why would she cover up her towels,&her vacuum cleaner?

 

[kenkart]

That is!

The last of the Birtman designed Kenmores, built by Whirlpool in the early 60s.

 

[hygiene903]

Kenmore Model 116.730

My parents had one of these when I was a kid. They bought it second hand to use in the basement and clean out the cars, as there was no way Mom was going to let Dad use her Lux XXX in the basement or outside! When I was little (about 2 or 3) the prrrrrreeeeeeeen sound it made when they fired it up startled me, but now I look forward to hearing it! Unfortunately, this one isn't theirs, but one I got on ebay 6 or 7 years ago.
Jeff

 

[collector2]

Ok - just to be different - a 1953 Kenmore model 60. Made in England for the Simpson Sears Co.

 

[collector2]

Kenkart model 116.7361

 

[collector2]

A 1973 Kenmore 116.2420

 

[collector2]

A 1974 Kenmore 116.22520C

 

[collector2]

And last but not least a 1978 Kenmore 175.2828C (Made by Singer if I remember correctly)

 

[caligula]

Hi Tom.

Reply 6 brings back happy memories of the hours my friend, Craig Long, talked about the pink, 'Lady Kenmore Whispertone.' As you may recall, Craig was a living encyclopedia of facts, dates, brands, and so on, he could also quote from any instruction book. And the pink cart in reply 1 brings back memories. But mine was not pink, before I got it, somebody painted it off white. It was a great machine, and I grabbed it because it was the closest thing to my coveted Electrolux C-A. In fact, I think Kenmore copied it from the C-A, but that's just a guess.


 


Thanks for posting,


Bob Alex.  

 

[jfalberti]

This is one from my childhood.

Similar to my Mom's but not exactly.

 

[ctvacman]

Early 80's sears best. Basically untouched

 

[ctvacman]

More pics.

 

[ctvacman]

Last one

 

[ctvacman]

Very rare late 80's Power Handle

 

[ctvacman]

Close up of handle controls. Neat feature that when something blocks the brush the entire vac shuts down and it flashes a red light on the handle. There is a magnet on one end of the beater bar that works in conjunction with the magnetic sensor, notice the lack of a reset button on the hood of the power mate.

 

[fan-of-fans]

All nice vacs. I am not sure, but think some of the dates are a little off. The Power Handle canister in the last post is one of the first 5055 bag machines from about 1984. The later 1980s ones had a slider speed control instead of the touch controls and were usually a light gray color.

The blue and woodgrain Sears Best is about a 1977-78 IIRC. The green and woodgrain Sears Best came out in 1972, but had a smaller Power Mate without the woodgrain. The woodgrain PN pictured came about 1974-75 and this model went until 1977 when it was replaced with the blue and woodgrain. Tan and woodgrain with orange bumpers was 1979 to very early 1980s. The all tan without woodgrain was early 1980s to about 1984. That was the first model to have the controls in the handle and probably first to have variable speed also. It was then replaced by the Power Handle 5055 bag.

Very nice machines. I'd like to have a green or blue 1969-71 with the opening on top for attachments, or a green and woodgrain Sears Best. I have seen a few over the years but they must be very rare now. The hunt is fun though, never know what you might find.

 

[kenkart]

Here are a few

Of Mine..In order, 1963,56,57,58, and 59, the pink 57 Horizon is the last of the Birtman units, It has a Birtman motor.