Sunbeam VISTA

[paulg]

Just curious...
What was the Sunbeam "VISTA" series about ? Can anyone define Sunbeam's intent behind marketing a VISTA product versus the standard SUNBEAM brand ?

 

[rockland1]

Sunbeam Vista

This was a line independent stores (not chain) could use. It provided them with a slightly different look and the ability to sell at a protected price. I remember the local hardware store in out town carried the Vista line. Sunbeam made great products....servicable too!

 

[tomturbomatic]

The Vista mixers looked cheaper and ligher weight. I think I remember seeing a Vista perk with a black polypropylene, not Bakelite, top instead of a metal top. They did not look to have Sunbeam's TOL quality, but I might be mistaken.

 

[rp2813]

My sister has a 70's Sunbeam Vista food processor.  My mom had a regular Sunbeam.  They appear to be the same machine, except the Vista has a "shooter" attachment that sends everything into a separate bowl if desired.  My mom chose Sunbeam over Cuisinart, which had quickly risen to "noun" status, because the Sunbeam had a larger capacity.  The Sunbeams at the time were even priced higher than Cuisinarts.  We found a barely used one with all attachments at an estate sale at least a dozen years ago and snapped it up for $15.

 

[mixfinder]

Combo Approach

Sunbeam was going to market in the late 50's with the finest appliance in each category they could produce.  Cheaper and store brands began crowding in and discounters were just coming into their own.  Smaller chains like Coast to Coast and what was later called Ace and True Value wanted a piece of the pie.  Sunbeam developed and released the Vista line not unlike the way Whirlpool front loaded chatcke's on the Lady Kenmore to see if the public was interested.  They rolled out the first self lubricating full size Stand mixer with formed plastic upper case and handle, some stunning new coffee maker designs, slicing knife with handle, blenders with 20 speeds and added a roundness to the existing frying pan handles can can openers and toasters.  The design was clearly different but not cheaper.  The items were sold a fair market value and could not be advertised at discounts.  As we moved into the 70's old bets were off, plasticy versions of every Sunbeam appliance were showing up with a plainer eschutchen as Vista. Cheap schlock began to pervade the Sunbeam line up.  The French say, "the fish always stinks from the head" and we see it was to become true from the appliances and management.  The Le Chef Food Processor is a great machine and ran toe to toe with Cuisinart until marketing tipped the buying share.  Vista and Sunbeam direct drive processors were the same. less the fruity lable.  The side discharge and slinger chute was a monumental monstrousity to clean and available in both lines. Sunbeam later made a belt drive processor with a lighter motor using the same bowl and blade.  The best design of the V-14 is longer beater shafts creating more bowl clearance for less mess in adding ingredients and having cookie dough roll up under the mixer head.

 

[paulg]

Thanks all

This is exactly the info I was looking for. Curiousity satiated!
Now I will know what I am buying when I land my next vintage SUNBEAM purchase.
Thanks.