Eureka 664A...a close match to the vacuum of my childhood!

[petek]

Great collection Jeff

I had no idea there were such a wide variety of models. How about the motors I suppose they tweaked, mix'n'matched a few of those as well as other features to keep coming up with a "new" model too. Somewhere in the cobwebs of my mind I recollect the guy at a local vac repair shop who used to work exclusively for Hoover saying something about Hoover suing Eureka over self propell patent infrigements, could be mistaken though. Looking at my Hoover vs. the Lady K (Panasonic) drive wheels, both are treaded however the Lady K wheels are much larger diameter but thinner. In practical use it (Lady K) was the smoother operator back and forwards.

 

[jasonl]

My childhood vac

The vac I remember is a BOL Eureka with the adjustment knob in the center. The body was white and the bottom part was green.

I remember seeing a setting for Shag carpet on the vac. YEAH BABY!

 

[westytoploader]

WOW, those are BEAUTIFUL Eurekas!!

The 1972 Touch Power with the Cordaway is the best one yet! The "Monkey Wards" machines are nice as well...who wouldn't love the "Box-Top" bag style?

It's amazing how that headlight-equipped hood design didn't really change much over the years. The Monkey Wards Dial-A-Nap bears a striking resemblance to the chrome Eureka. Mine has air vents in the hood but is otherwise unchanged as well.

What was the significance of the foot rocker switch versus the button switch on different Eureka models? There were two 1970's Eurekas on eBay, one a light blue (not quite turquoise), one gold. The gold machine had the rocker switch on the base, and the blue machine had the button switch, but they were otherwise the same model.

--Austin

 

[jasonl]

The one I remember had the button switch. On/off.

Eureka's had a distinct roar to them.

 

[programcomputer]

Wow...is that the Contessa model...next to the one I gave yo

Well,

That Monkey Wards Eureka was my very first vintage find when I went to work for my first vacuum cleaner job in 1999. It was in a load of cleaners that we had bought for rebuilding purposes from the Local Rexair dealer. It was mixed in, but as I carried it to the cargovan to take back to the store...I knew right then and there that It would never see the sales floor.

I saw that thing come off the truck, the nex day and immidatly hid it and restored it after hours. And took it home to the collection. I couldnt believe what beautiful shape that it was in condsidering. I Believe that machine hails from 1975 accroding to the MW cat I have from that year's Fall and Winter Book.

Yes I would give a tooth to find a chrome hood like that. I finally was able to find paint that was a similar match to the hood, and touched up most of the scratches to my satisfaction. Now I need to get the zipper replaced and I'll be all set. Becasue as I mentioned it's fairly weak and needs it... it's not broken...but the teeth are disintegrating and need replaced.

Becasue it was done with the Brandywine cleaner..I know it can be done..it's just a touch pricey...

I see that you have a similar cleaner to the one that I have mentioned from my collection...the 260B, except again yours has a chrome hood. I love this model because it was one of the long running cleaners like the Hoover Convertible...from like 1949 to like 1997 or something.

What's that blue machine over in the far left corner...is that a full hood Kenmore from 1978-79? Or is it a Singer, or quite possibly a Lewyt upright which was again like the Kenmore Twin Fan a Singer in drag...

And Austin...the rocker switch was used by Eureka for it's lower line models...( that diddn't have them in the handle) to either slect low or high speeds, and on older F&G models and some MW built uprights on and off. I believe that it was sometime in the mid 1970's that Eureka dropped the rocker switch in the lower level cleaners for the simpler and cheaper pushbutton/stepbutton switch more commonly found.

I had a nice later Mid 1970's Eureka Blue cleaner...about 10 years ago that had the two speed rocker switch and headlight. Then later our Eureka like yours had the button....times changes everything.

Jeff, Also I see that you have one of the later Eureka Self-Propelled cleaners theblack and chrome one with the houndstooth vinly bag...from about 1990? I love mine which I know for sure is an earlier version prolly from the 1984-85 timeframe...and my aunt uses the blue version that I gave her from a tough earlier still...that has the lighted Eureka and Self Propelled that is backlit off the headlight. That machine is only a single speed tho.

Im done rambling vacuums now...

Chad

 

[petek]

Did anyone notice

The golden bag on the prize winning Eureka is a near match for the upholstery in Kevins "new" Fleetwood. LOL

 

[programcomputer]

Design was never limited...especially in the 1970's..

As you can see by the pictures Jeff posted from above, vacuum cleaners as well as other appliances were not limited to just drab colors.

Bright colorful multi-toned hues were the norm,as was the case with modern architecture of the period. Chrome was used not so sparingly in some applications on cleaners, nor was it used sparingly in the homes, furniture or cars of the time either. Funky little woodtone appliques were stuck on machines abound just like we found in our homes, cars and furniture and finally the outer vinyl coverings for the inner paper filterbags were embossed with psycedelic desgins and floral patterns ; looking like current wallpaper or fabric selections of the day.

It was during this period that machines started to break the horsepower barriers using full horsepower motors and in some cases in canister applications: 2 full horsepower which a decade earlier was not only unthinkable...but thought to be sheer utter madness. This decade brought forth the first 12 amp cleaner as well with the Hoover Celebrity series cleaners, and The Eureka Empress I canister, and many others quite close to this mark.

It also brought forth the Self-Propelled concept to many manufacturers( Hoover was first in 1967 with the Dialamatic), many manufacturers after finding out that consumers wanted the convienences of an upright cleaner (better rug cleaning ability) in a canister type cleaner; stopped fiddling with less sucessful devices (Like Eureka's Vibra Beat) and Air driven powerbrushes, and brought out more useful ( and proven)electric Powerheads for their cleaners.

It was ironic that this diddnt happen sooner considering that Lewyt Kenmore/Whirlpool and Electrolux had powerheads by 1960.


Anyway yes cleaners from this decade were very predictive of what was to happen in the next decade...but were not at all sure of what would happen after that point...besides everyone using a 12 amp motor in everything.....such is progress

Chad

 

[hoover1060]

Eureka Motors and such

Eureka machines could be kinda grouped into a couple different styles.
The step on Rocker switch models were considered the "cheap" cleaners. All of their more deluxe models had the handle switch and were usually 2 speed.
They did have a distinct sound, that that motor design is what eventually became the Sanitaire motor.
In the early 1970's Eureka needed a cheap(er) cleaner than the rocker switch models, so the 1400 series was born, easily identifyable by the vents on TOP of the motor hood. The 1400's also featured the step on switch.
What made the 1400's so cheap was their motor, originally 3.5 amps like the big motor, but about 1/3 the weight AND size! The 1400 series motor was Eureka's electric broom motor, re-worked and installed in the upright. I remember the shock I felt the first time I saw a 1400's motor, WOW, so tiny! I think a hand mixer might have more motor to it! That motor is still made today, and used in the BOL Sanitaire cleaners. It sound is unmistakable!
Chad, the blue cleaner in the pic is a Sunbeam 2+2 with cord reel, made by Singer.

 

[tolivac]

Austin:I don't have the Kirby list at my computer and I could never remember their model sequences-have all that at home.Yes 511 would be the one I was looking for.I am waiting for a nice one to show up.The Kirby dealers and other vac dealers here are helping and notify me if any old machines show up.One time the Kirby dealer here sold a new Kirby to a woman that had a 1938 model Kirby that had all of the attachments and was "like new" according to the Kirby saleswoamn. She said she tried everything to get the customer to trade it in.she kept it as her "upstairs" vacuum.I got an early "Fairfax" vacuum from the Rainbow dealer. Sometimes the oldies show up-also got a Rainbow "D" as a trade in toward a Tri-Star.If the machines got minor problems I can take care of it. The collector owned one would be best-but the $$$$.

 

[petek]

Sunbeam/Singer/Kenmore twin fans

That el cheapo Singer twin fan upright I picked up a couple of months ago shows made by Ryobi USA on the serial tag inside. Did Ryobi make them all. BTW as awful as it is it pulls up flattened carpet pile better than any other vac I have

 

[hoover1060]

Singer Twin fans...

Pete,
The Singer Twin fan design goes way back to 1949 with the first dual suction "magic carpet" upright. These were Singer made, and were around in this 1949 design with a few changes until about 1963-64 when Singer changed the looks and came out with their U series upright. These were heavy, hearty machines, they cleaned well too. Problem was the motors were not very good, and the ductwork was small, the clogged very easy! The U series was around until the early 1980's, about which time the Singer sewing stores started to disappear...
The twin fans came back in the middle-late 1980's made by Ryobi. They were now mass marketed at places like Wal-Mart and such, but still the sme basic design as the U series, except now mostly all plastic.
In their heyday in the 1960's, Singer made those twin fan uprights for LOTS of people, among them: Kenmore, Sunbeam, Westinghouse, and in Canada for Lewyt.

 

[westytoploader]

I saw a Singer-made Shetland-Lewyt upright on eBay, as well as many Kenmores that looked the same. Almost grabbed a twin-fan Singer in a Salvation Army store, but the brushroll was worn...not worth what they were asking for it! When I see one in good shape I'll get it...would be fun to play with for a while.

Did Singer ever have a commercial machine of that design? My aunt had one, and while it did resemble the twin-fan design, it was a little nicer, with a chrome handle, handle grip, and even a metal bail I believe. One thing I thought was cool with those machines was that they turned on when the handle was lowered.

--Austin

 

[petek]

Singer another company gone to junk status

Thanks for the info Jeff. Singer seems to have gone away from quality as well, I'm not even sure if the Singer sewing machines you see today in Walmart and drug superstores are even made by them, I haven't really looked closely but just fron a glance walking by you can see they're not the iron horses they were.

And speaking of Westinghouse...has anyone ever tried their full sized upright cordless vac..what a piece of work that is

 

[hoover1060]

Singer pics

Austin,
I have a Singer made Lewyt aquired from ebay a couple of years ago. Its in really nice shape and runs very well. I love the mod 1970's colors too!
Following are some Singer pics. Yes there was a Singer commercial machine in the late 1970's you'll see one pictured, with a Sanitaire bag on it as the original was shot.
STarting in the late 1960's there were three twin fan Singer models in the line: PowerMaster(one speed), Silver PowerMaster(two speed), and Golden Powermaster(2 speed, A frame handle and cord reel)
I don't remember who had the handle activated switch first, I think it was Sunbeam, and then it was Kenmore, and then the Ryobi made models in the 80's...that switch was a pain in the A** IMHO...
pics are of Singer Commercial, Lewyt and Sunbeam, followed by the rest of what I call "the choir"
Here are the pics...

 

[hoover1060]

more Singer

Pete: I know nothing is left of the Singer company, just as there is very little left of Hoover.
Singer today is no more than a name, however on with a long history, and easily recognized...
Singer Uprights: Grey U43(1968) blue U45(1970) Green U49A(1974 - a double ribbon winner at the 2004 VCCC convention in Chicago) Yellow U59(1976) Standing in the corner are two older S-series cleaners from the 50's.

 

[programcomputer]

On Singers and other things.....

Jeff,

I see that you have A Singer Commercial like mine. Mine does have the original cloth bag, but it's cracked and leaks dust like you wouldnt believe...how did you retrofit a Sanitaire bag onto the proper bag collar for that machine.... My bag has two chrome slides with one at the bottom. Nice thing was is that the machine I found came with an extra healight cover, becasue the one in it was cracked. So I left the one in the commercial and stuck the new old stock one into the U59 that you gave me...

I also still have the earlier S-3 that you gave me...and in fact It gets used fairly frequently...especially when my best freind Miracle's daughter Sophie comes over to visit...she will sneak away, go right down into the basement, plug that machine in and switch it to low and vacuum the entire basement...becasue she knows I can't hear it right away and she can get away with it...she loves THAT machine sooo much...She calls it "Eeyore" cause it's all grey.....

I know she's in love becasue she was just here this evening for her fourth Birthday party that I held here becasue I have more room, and she asked me if she could go take her little freind Nate down to use " The Eeyore".... Eventually every kid was in that basement in awe all 13 of them...and Sophie was letting all the kids push it...It was super awesome to see...

So that's a Sunbeam 2+2. I had seen one before in brown without the cord reel. It was super trashed and rusted and the motor was shot. I tired to ressurect it...but all the potmetal was crumbling and the baseplate was virtually nil. I did keep the bag for awhile but it's now MIA so.....

And I see that you were the winner of the ebay- Lewyt-Singer...that was you that got it. It looks like the same one I saw on there. This was made only for the Candaian market? It looks super cool, and has the boxtop style bag like the U59.

Ijust replaced the brushroll in the S-3 with a NOS one, that I got from a vac store in Jackson. He told me that he was cleaning out a rented storeroom in a bulding about to be demoilished, and he knew he had one in there. He did and offered it to me for $25.00 and he found two packages of NOS belts too.

Okay Im done.....sorry for the "blather"

Chad

 

[hoover1060]

Lewyt

Chad,
I'd date the Lewyt about 1972 or so, maybe even later. When I first saw it on ebay it was an outrageous price, so I passed. It came back later cheaper, so I went for it. Its only major difference is the motor amps, it draws 4.5, and the Singer models are 5.5... the Lewyt runs a little slower.
I got the Sanitaire bag on the Singer Commercial very carefully. First I removed the Eureka bag ring, then had to make that end of the cloth bag bigger, as the Singer's bag outlet is bigger. It looks ok, but I hope to find something a little more original looking someday.

 

[programcomputer]

Doesn't look bad to me.....

Jeff,

Doesn't look bad at all. I got my machine off from e-baye here late November of last year. My mom ended up getting me the machine for my Christmas present. It was in horrid dirty shape, but with careful persistence It became a worthwhile candidate for collection status...lol

The bag was in deplorable dirty shape full of the previous owners schmutz...and I carefully handwashed it in Woolite and then Downeyed the hell out of it. Then I used the machine once to show it to a freind...and it leaked dust everywhere.. I had not vacuumed the basement in like two weeks so it was needed. BUt showed up the deficiencies in the bag...

So I wrapped the cord and put it back with the other machines and never used it after...such is life. I would like to use it more often, but then that's what I have the U59 for.

That Lewyt upright as I stated earlier is cool stuff, and a 4.5 amp motor...prlly the same one the stuck into the current Kenmore's of the time. It kinda stuns me that it was sold in Canada only and not here, or was it for a minute or so...except by 1972 Lewyt or Shetland Lewyt was pretty much a gone deal for the american vac industry..Funny becasue Lewyt was an innovator of sorts with some of it's design cues (like the "Big Wheel" model, and especially scooping the majors by intro'ing the Powernozzle Canister in 1958.

Anyway great pic's of the collection, and I can see that you have come a long way from the collection that I saw when I visited you in Richton Park which was the last time I saw you..and earlier still when you were still in College in Nebraska....

Good Stuff

Chad