Which Vintage Vacuums Could Still Be Marketed Today?

[bagintheback]

I often read arguments from other members here that the primary reason why "retro" or"throwback" models are not frequently introduced is because the modern consumer demands something different. For the most part I agree. Many technological innovations and convenience features such as HEPA filtration and electrically controlled motor speeds are very useful, and bypass motors are occasionally the superior choice for uprights. While I haven't studied business,  I can imagine some vintage vacuums could still be sold with demand. How much demand, I don't know, that would require some market research. 


 


For example, I honestly believe Aerus could get away with reintroducing a slightly modified 1205-Diamond Jubilee machine. They're not too heavy, and Aerus still hasn't introduced a model using solely swivel wheels, so it's not as if they maneuverer significantly differently than their current models. They could easily add a swivel hose and PN, and at the right price point, it could be one of the better products on the market. The Perfect canister is similar, but it's not automatic and I'm sure Aerus has a wider market available to them with all their distributors.  


 


Can you think of any others?

[this post was last edited: 10/23/2014-23:46]

 

[super-sweeper]

Electrolux would be giving the canister world a champion if they could pull that off!


 


of course, a vintage Kirby could easily succeed over the current models, maybe a dash of Kenmore Canisters would help! 

 

[kenkart]

Compact...

C-6, C-7  , still one of the most practical machines ever built...The model G Electrolux with a direct connect hose,the Royal Power Tank....these are a few that come to mind, but I think the best canidate would be a updated version of the 2 motor Air Way.

 

[jaker15]

Agreed

A revamped Compact or twin motor Airway would be awesome. I think Electrolux should introduce a redesigned Model XXX with a HEPA bag system and a power nozzle option. With the right motor, it would be unstoppable.

 

[tolivac]

NSS M1 is an older design-still perform and sold today!Think the "Big Wheel" Lewyt should be reintroduced.With its huge wheels and super duty METAL body-revamp it with Filtrete bags and HEPA filters and a powernozzle and power hand tool-this would be a winner.And it would last like the "Pig"!And reintroduce the Hoover Convertable!Equip it with Filtrete inner bags.

 

[gsnyder201]

I think a revamped Olympia One or Diamond Jubilee would be interesting. I think they probably could not produce that style and make a profit if they kept all the chrome trim etc. they truly don't make them like that anymore. The Lux Guardian Platinum is a similar shape, I think it's a great vacuum but it doesn't have the automatic feature which is a hallmark of Electrolux vacuums. I'm sure there are other great vacuums out there, but I seem to be drawn to Electrolux. Besides the LX for the eject feature, I like the Electrolux Jubilee, Olympia One, and Diamond Jubilee. They are just classics.

 

[dysonman1]

The Twin-Motor Air-Way could easily be marketed and sold in great quantities today. Perhaps with a clean air motor. Stainless steel handle. Clear window to see the dirt going into the bag. Hmmm. Maybe someone needs to show one to an engineering department. Maybe someone already did. Don't know. Can't say. When it happens one day, I'll be the very first to say "I TOLD YOU SO". A dream today - a reality tomorrow.

 

[rugsucker]

Which vintage vacs ARE being marketed today?

The F-G style Eureka from the early 50s and the Hoover convertible of the late 50s are still available as commercials that are often chosen by homeowners that are fed up with the 'new,improved'vacs.Metropolitan in NY still makes a very good 'stovepipe with a motor in it' type tank that was done so well as the Elux G & L.The Vorwerk in Europe is sort of the general idea of the 2 motor AirWay upright.But could be even better as an updated AirWay.The big wheel Lewyt might still be in production with updates similar to the continuation of the Kirby if they had continued to use a strap cord on the hose instead of an 'Electronic'that had little electronic about it.And the Filter Queen continues to have little noise and much suction.And wet dust doesn't fly as the Rainbow continues to sit on a pan of water.

 

[dysonman1]

My Vote

Is for the Lewyt. Just don't touch the sink while its running (ha ha).

 

[BBFvac76]

Eureka: Would like the 500, 700, & 1200/1700 series canisters to be made once again with updates such as HEPA filtration OR maybe Sanitaire could make those with a blue base/chrome top to match their blue uprights.
Hoover: am all for the return of convertible for the residential market.also, why not a constellation canister with Windtunnel power nozzle.
Kenmore: if Panasonic still have the 5033 canister tooling, possibly a line up of 3 5033 canisters with varying features to return as: Kenmore PowerMate Classics with the bottom model having a 12in. PN with 3 carpet heights, micron filter E bag, & 7ft hose. middle similar to bottom model with step up features: 14 in pn with 4 carpet heights & headlight,horsehair bristles on floor & dusting brushes, 7ft hose with on/off switch for pn, cover for attachment storage & bag/hose check light. Top model would have all the features of the middle model + 2 speeds, foot release for wand on pn, HEPA E bag & 9ft hose.

 

[jade_angel]

Well, Royal metal uprights are still being sold, and rightly so. The older ones weren't all that much different, except for being less power-hungry and quieter. Royal could probably do well to market a less noisy 6-amp model today with an improved fan.

The old Eurekas live on as Sanitaires, so those get a vote too. So does Filter Queen; strap an old hose on a new Filter Queen, and what's different? Almost nothing, and that's a good thing.

Silver King's looking a little dated, but they do perform pretty well.

Royal's Power Tanks, or equivalently the Sani-Clean canister, would probably still sell decently - especially if you play up the "cyclones to maintain airflow" angle.

Most vintage Kirbys are pretty similar to the modern ones, so I guess Kirby qualifies. In fact, if Kirby introduced an updated Legend II equivalent with a 13" nozzle, I bet it'd sell pretty well. Performance wouldn't likely be a serious question - consider how well a Legend II performs with G-series bags.

 

[anthony]

i work

with the elderly in leeds and believe me if hoover ever started to produce the Hoover junior they would clean up [pardon the pun]you would be suprised at the amount of people that just want a machine thats light and cleans a carpet well without the usual pedal bin atached to the front of it along with all of its more than useless tools. one old lady had just bought the latest Vax upright cleaner it cost around 200 pounds but standing in the cupboard next to it was a well used hoover 119 when i asked what was wrong with it she said it works but i cant get the belts anymore .when i said i might be able to get her some belts she was delighted .this isnt just a one off i get loads of people complaining about modern vacuums and saying if only the old Hoover or Electrolux machines were still available they would buy one

 

[vintagerepairer]

But in the meantime they have no choice but to buy something else. So a cleaner is still sold. There would really have to be something in it for the manufacturer too.

 

[ultralux88]

My vote is the Rainbow D2. I can't think of a quieter, smooth running machine. Plus they clean so well, with a P/N they outs clean many modern machines, and its one of the very few vintage machines that filters as well as a modern HEPA vacuum (the real sealed HEPA vacs, not the cheap things with HEPA stuck on it).

 

[super-sweeper]

YAY Lewyt! I'll second that vote! You know what's worse than touching a lead pipe? Touching a lead pipe while using the Lewyt Electronic!!