Retro Beehive Look Osterizer Question

[rp2813]

Check out these two blenders.  One has the traditional looking feet that can be seen below the base, and the other has fairly flat rubber pads that are obscured behind a wavy skirt embellishment around the bottom (I know this because I just nabbed this model and intend to give it to our SIL to use on his new bar).

 

I've noticed that it's usually bases with special finishes like copper, metallic red, or brushed chrome that have the skirt.  Is there any significance to the skirt other than a reason to charge more?  The blenders seem identical otherwise.

 

[circlew]

I have one in the standard chrome finish, and it has the feet. I've not seen them in any other finish.

 

[rp2813]

I tried to find more examples on line, but most of the ones with skirts had more than two speeds and employed a knob instead of a toggle switch. 

 

I've decided the skirt is just an extra treatment given to Osterizers with special finishes.  The skirted one I got is 500 watts just like its counterpart with feet, so functionally it's no different.  It seems like more trouble than it's worth to add this bit of bling, but all one needs to do is pull up pictures of vintage Osterizers to see the countless variations they offered over the years.  I guess that practice is still part of their marketing strategy. 

 

[wayupnorth]

I have a chrome one similar to those photos but way older. The label is on the chrome base of the top bowl. I'd take a picture but dont have any type of a smart phone, sorry.

 

[rp2813]

We had a new black retro beehive type (with the visible feet and 2-speed toggle) for a short time about a dozen years ago.  It had a round carafe, which seemed like a bad design.  It left chunks of ice in smoothies and it was really loud.   I gave it to my mom.  It replaced her cheap Betty Crocker from Home Depot.

 

The only reason I got this latest one is because it had an old-school type square glass carafe and that's all I wanted off of it.  It was offered for free on the Next Door site because it was non-working.  Well, it worked when I tried it but the switch felt loose so I checked inside to see what I could find.  All it needed was some tweaking of the switch and its housing and now it works fine.

 

I had a "fusion" (I think) type carafe that I thought I might use someday but decided I won't, so I paired it with this brushed base and outfitted it with an ice crusher blade.  It combines both the retro and modern look, so the SIL won't think he's getting some old piece of junk, although I have no intention of trying to pass it off as brand new.  It cleaned up nicely and really shines, so should be an attractive addition to his bar.  Besides, he's got a thing for brushed nickel, and this is close enough.

 

[petek]

There were numerous variations of controls on those over the decades, 2 speed switches, 2 speed dials, 2 & 3 speed buttons.   The top ring that holds the jar in place went plastic in the 80's and back to metal in these retro new ones.  I don't know why on some of the newer ones they made the "skirt" a little different. They also seemed to flatten out the beehive as well.  

 

[rp2813]

After I fixed the blender and cleaned it up, I contacted the person who had posted it for free and offered to give it back to her.  She advised that she had already purchased a new one. 

 

I have a feeling this Osterizer will still be viable after her new one fails.  It was pretty clear that she uses a blender regularly, and that she's not so regular about keeping one clean.  I don't think she ever removed the blade assembly.  She probably thought it didn't come off.  Additionally, from the looks of it, I suspect she may have routinely put the fully assembled carafe through the dishwasher. 

 

[petek]

It's always a good idea to whizz the blades dry after you washed them to get any moisture outta there.