Red TriStar

What you have here is an early version of the 2 speed model. The later version of this model had hammer tone texture to all of the chrome bits and sported the all new Tri-Star made power nozzle.

This company started around 1947 then called Compact. In 1982 They changed the name to Tristar but kept the Compact name and Compact then became the cheaper vacuum shop model until 1984 when they did away with the Compact. Tristar was of course door to door and is still being sold that way.

The very first Tristar in 82 was this same red color but was just a red version of the gold Compact C-9. Then I believe in 1984 they produced the 2 speed switch model. If you want a close estimate of when this one came out you can sometimes date these on the Eureka made power nozzles. Take the bottom plate off and take the brush roll out. Look very closely inside. Stamped in the plastic you should find a raised area in the plastic with 2 numbers. (example 83) This would mean 1983 etc. I have found that not every Eureka power nozzle will have this but a good 90 percent of them will. Or if the power nozzle motor is original you can peel the glossy label back and find the 2 screws that hold the motor in and unscrew the motor and find a date printed on the underside of the motor but this will usually ruin a good label so I would not do this.


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Post# 390630 4/17/2018 at 21:16 (2,199 days old) by cam2s (Nebraska)
Checkrate/Likes Picked up a red TriStar the other day for the pricely sum of $3.99. Machine has been used pretty hard, but had all of the original parts and even had the original styrafoam attachment holder. Looks like the motor has been replaced...the two speed switch has been taken out and covered up. Original hose and attachments are about shot, which is disappointing I love the cyclonic logo printed in all of them. Power nozzle looks to be a Eureka built one with a VGII. Doesn’t appear to have a cord hook like my other TriStars but otherwise is pretty straight forward. Cam Photos... < > Photo 1 of 8 View Full Size

Post# 390636 , Reply# 1 4/17/2018 at 22:41 (2,199 days old) by dartman (Portland OR)
Checkrate/Likes We had a Tri Star vacuum when I was a teenager. It was a non Tristar branded machine we got from a home sales we tried to do for a while but it definitely was a Tristar machine. I remember really liking it and I think it had the same power head too. Can't remember what happened to it but it was a good machine.

Post# 390640 , Reply# 2 4/17/2018 at 23:53 (2,199 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)
Checkrate/Likes Well you can't beat $3.99. The machine itself looks pretty decent. I wonder what's the story behind the missing switch.

Post# 390648 , Reply# 3 4/18/2018 at 09:28 (2,199 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)
Checkrate/Likes What you have here is an early version of the 2 speed model. The later version of this model had hammer tone texture to all of the chrome bits and sported the all new Tri-Star made power nozzle. This company started around 1947 then called Compact. In 1982 They changed the name to Tristar but kept the Compact name and Compact then became the cheaper vacuum shop model until 1984 when they did away with the Compact. Tristar was of course door to door and is still being sold that way. The very first Tristar in 82 was this same red color but was just a red version of the gold Compact C-9. Then I believe in 1984 they produced the 2 speed switch model. If you want a close estimate of when this one came out you can sometimes date these on the Eureka made power nozzles. Take the bottom plate off and take the brush roll out. Look very closely inside. Stamped in the plastic you should find a raised area in the plastic with 2 numbers. (example 83) This would mean 1983 etc. I have found that not every Eureka power nozzle will have this but a good 90 percent of them will. Or if the power nozzle motor is original you can peel the glossy label back and find the 2 screws that hold the motor in and unscrew the motor and find a date printed on the underside of the motor but this will usually ruin a good label so I would not do this.

Post# 390754 , Reply# 4 4/20/2018 at 00:26 (2,197 days old) by compactc9guy (Bathurst NB)
Checkrate/Likes *I say* I say replace the hose and put the switch in it again and youll have one hell of a work horse.I have a Blue Compact C-9 and love it , i rebuild the power head and put a new hose on it.Then all the attachments works like brand new cant beat a Compact Tristar .BTW make sure to use enviro care paper bag a cloth bag and new motor filter . From the looks of it you could put the switch on it again and make it a true 2 speed or cover the hole better some how be easier to put a switch again.