Vintage Compaq CEC Electra Canister Vacuum - $60 (Cordova)

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The seller if they'd listed it with correct names - it's a Compact Electra vacuum made by IEC. It's 1970s, and for $60, a solid buy even though it does not have the power nozzle.

However, with the exceptions of the cast-aluminum floor and rug nozzles shown, the attachments are aftermarket. The existence of the floor and rug tools is lucky, because those cost a freakin' fortune to replace - usually over $100 each at parts retail.

Not the worst deal I've ever seen. I do hope that "attachments included" scrawl is on the photo, not the cleaner itself - that's a wrinkle finish, and getting any kind of marker off of it is going to be tons o' fun (sarcasm).
 
Thank you Sandy for correcting the inappropriate Compaq to what it really was supposed t be spelled as Compact.  I cringed and shivered at the inappropriatness. 
 
Phil:

Collectors call those Compacts the "Flower Power" machines - the hippie flower decals are factory issue.

Here's a photo of my Tristar CXL, restored from a semi-neglected condition. Do not ask what restoring it correctly cost - I still shudder at the final tab. It has every correct accessory, its instruction manual, and - not seen in this shot - its box.

More blood, sweat, tears and cash than I care to remember....

danemodsandy++10-19-2014-21-47-1.jpg
 
How sold?

Oh beautiful! I forgot! You do own one of these little gems. I won't ask, but it's a labor of love and shows.

Do you know...were these sold in the 60's door to door? I can't recall who in my neighborhood, family or friends had one of these, but I remember them as the shape seemed so aerodynamic. It looks like it could fly, but not related to the Tri-Star jet. :-)

And thanks for clarifying that those were factory applied flower decals. Summer of love, whatever happened to it? LOL!
 
Phil:

Compacts and TriStars were sold by "direct sales," meaning door-to-door. In the Compact days, Interstate also made the machine available through stores, calling that version the Revelation. The two brands were identical except for a decal bearing the name.

I grew up with a Compact C-2 that my mother bought in 1955 as a leftover '54 model at a discount. Even with her "work 'em 'til they drop" attitude towards appliances, it lasted thirty years. Robert once found one exactly like it, in pretty much pristine condition - I hope he still has it.
 
C-2

That looks like it should fly or maybe float on air, at the least. Interesting, it reminds me of a spaceship I once saw on a Flash Gordon series - Dr. Zarkov's Rocket (1936).

ovrphil-2014102003343205624_1.jpg
 
Phil:

It's actually the same basic machine that I have. Interstate added some "character lines" to the housing, and made a few detail changes over the years to improve the machine's performance. For instance, the C-2's exhaust port was moved from a position near the floor to a new position in front of the handle/switch assembly, where it would exhaust upward and not stir up not-yet-vacuumed dust at floor level. An afterfilter went on the new exhaust, plus a little bracket to facilitate cord-winding went on the bag door. And beginning in the '70s, the wiring and port were added for a power nozzle. Casters were improved, too.

However, the CXL I have is remarkably similar to that C-2 Mom had. That is why I wanted it, and that is why I was so keen to restore it. It was a modern vacuum loaded with memories, and you can't do better than that. Here's a closer shot, so you can compare the CXL to the C-2 better:

danemodsandy++10-20-2014-10-34-24.jpg
 
Used to sell these under the TriStar name several years ago-liked the original Compact name better.When you were selling customers didn't know TriStar.But when you tell them its a new name for Compact-I would say "Your Mom or Grandmother had one" then the prospect would understand.And like the older "Compact" design better than the later "Lux" one.Stocking up on these older machines.And to clean aircraft---Machines for that purpose have to have nonsparking motors as under FAA rules.Most aircraft vacuums for airliners-run from the airplanes 208/120V airplanes 400 hz power supply.The induction motor in the machine can turn at the universal motors speed -no brushes to spark.If you are on an airliner-look under the chairs-some have 400 hz power outlets for the cabin vacuums or other maintenance equipment.
 
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The one in Cordova is sold.  Sandy  are the  Compacts as heavy as the Elux Olympia? 
 
alr2903:

Compacts were light machines in the 1950s, due to their cast magnesium-aluminum housings, but they're about average or maybe a bit heavier today. I'd say they're roughly the same weight as a Lux Olympia.
 
alr2903:

If you have a multi-level house, I suggest not worrying about the weight of cleaners so much. Do what I did when I had three stories instead -

Get a cleaner for each level! Much, much MUCH easier on you. The TriStar CXL was used on the third floor, where the bedrooms were. A Lux 1205 had pride of place on the main level. And a Lux Diamond Jubilee was the downstairs vac. I would have liked having TriStars for all three floors, but the CXL's restoration was very costly and I couldn't see my way clear to doing that three times over.

In addition, a Dirt Devil Model 500 power-brush hand vac was kept around for stairs. Today, a Lux Sidekick mini power brush is kept for that purpose.

Trust me, it works much better than lugging....
 

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