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Thread Number: 12009
A Canadian Masterpiece - And A Dream Machine Finally Obtained!! |
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Post# 128596 3/24/2011 at 19:41 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra  (Palm Springs) |
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As webmaster I received endless emails regarding old vacuums that people had inquiring about what their old vacuum was worth and if I was interested. Invariably, these were beat-up machines that needed to go to the curb. In fact, now that I think about it, I never received an email about a machine worth pursuing, until I decided to consider turning over the helm of the site to Fred S. I considered it an omen. In any event I received an email with some pictures and almost fainted when I opened it up. It was a Canadian Electrolux Model 88 in pristine condition. Apparently a gentleman had lost his Mom and was cleaning out her house. Here is one of the pictures.
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Post# 128598 , Reply# 1 3/24/2011 at 19:47 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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His Email
Simply stated: "Any interest in this machine?" Any interest! I have been looking for one of these red Canadian Luxes ever since I spied one on the floor of the Electrolux Branch in Van Nuys California. I used to visit that branch and the one on Highland in LA all the time. I had never seen a Canadian Lux and almost peed in my pants when I saw it. It wasn't until I joined this club that I realized it was a Canadian model. In any event you can imagine my excitement when I saw the pictures. Having been around the block a few times I realized seeing the pictures and having the machine in my possession took a leap of faith. We emailed back and forth and settled on a price and he agreed to ship it. My final email stated, please pack it well. In the meantime, I emailed Dave Kerr and asked his opinion. In short he stated in so many words I would be a fool to pass it up. Well, the box arrived today. Here is a shot opening it up.
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Post# 128599 , Reply# 2 3/24/2011 at 19:49 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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The Seller | ||
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Post# 128600 , Reply# 3 3/24/2011 at 19:53 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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It is Completely Original
And in pristine condtion. It looks as though it was bought, used a few times and then stored away. I conferred with Dave about my concerns regarding the viability of the hose. Guess what? No leaks! How lucky is that! Dave said it might arrive in that condition. The original tool caddy and instruction manual was included. The cord and plug are intact and in good condition. Just a bit of cleaning up and this machine will be like brand new. Only thing missing is the original box. The instruction manual came in a plastic cover.
This post was last edited 03/24/2011 at 20:13 | ||
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Post# 128601 , Reply# 4 3/24/2011 at 19:54 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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Now | ||
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Post# 128602 , Reply# 5 3/24/2011 at 19:55 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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The Back Cover | ||
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Post# 128603 , Reply# 6 3/24/2011 at 19:56 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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The Guarantee Page | ||
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Post# 128605 , Reply# 7 3/24/2011 at 19:57 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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Inside | ||
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Post# 128606 , Reply# 8 3/24/2011 at 19:58 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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And | ||
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Post# 128607 , Reply# 9 3/24/2011 at 20:00 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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In Any Event | ||
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Post# 128608 , Reply# 10 3/24/2011 at 20:04 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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BTW
It came with the original sales receipt as well. Won't scan that for privacy reasons but it appears similar to the American Electrolux sales agreement on pink paper. Paid $149.50, less $25.00 trade-in plus an $8.50 carrying charge with $10.00 monthly installments. Being the finance guy, I am tempted to calculate the imputed interest rate, but will leave that for later.
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| Post# 128612 , Reply# 11 3/24/2011 at 20:20 (5,046 days old) by Crevicetool (GA ) | ||
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Wow!!!!! That is simply fantastic Fred. I don't think I've ever seen one that looked that great. Congratulations! Rick | ||
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Post# 128613 , Reply# 12 3/24/2011 at 20:25 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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I Sent the Seller | ||
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Post# 128617 , Reply# 14 3/24/2011 at 20:58 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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Thanks Pete | ||
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Post# 128619 , Reply# 15 3/24/2011 at 21:02 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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BTW | ||
| Post# 128620 , Reply# 16 3/24/2011 at 21:04 (5,046 days old) by luxg () | ||
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Congratulations Fred, that is one beautiful machine. Those extra attachments available are unreal. To my knowledge we never had anything like many of those here. | ||
| Post# 128628 , Reply# 19 3/24/2011 at 21:45 (5,046 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
Next best thing to New In Box!
Oh Fred, you're gonna win Best Canadian Original at the Convention with that! Maybe clean-sweep the entire Original Class...
Makes mine look tawdry with their scuffs & bumps and scrapes. Yes, shipping cross border is horrendous these days and the main reason I don't bid on ebay anymore unless it's within driving distance for pick up. A few interesting tidbits: Yours, as you know is a version 1 Model 88 made from 1957 through early 1961. Bumpers and the red telescopic were added for the Version 2 made from 1961 through late 1967 when the green 87 & 89 were introduced. The Oct 1965 date on yours - and the (absolutely pristine!!!) red telescopic wand - suggests it was a left over overstock item optioned out with current upgrades for Mrs. Mezey. And of course sold to her in her home - door to door sales. The Bill of Sale shows a trade-in of $25? Let's guess that Mrs. Mezey traded in her 1953 Model Z54 'Loaf'. :-) Remarkably strong and hushed vacuums, the 80s. My 88 V2 has some problems but the 88 V2, 86 V1&2 and 83 all pull between 70" and 77". Dave This post was last edited 03/24/2011 at 22:27 | ||
| Post# 128631 , Reply# 20 3/24/2011 at 21:55 (5,046 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas) | ||
Type C Bags? | ||
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Post# 128633 , Reply# 21 3/24/2011 at 22:13 (5,046 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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Yep | ||
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Post# 128634 , Reply# 22 3/24/2011 at 22:14 (5,046 days old) by dial-a-nap (Omaha - the home of the TV Dinner) |
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| Post# 128657 , Reply# 23 3/24/2011 at 23:23 (5,046 days old) by HooverCelebrity (Germany) | ||
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Wow! That's almost too beautiful for words! I can't wait to see it in person! You must bring that to the convention in September! | ||
| Post# 128662 , Reply# 24 3/24/2011 at 23:31 (5,046 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk) | ||
Hey Fred:
Beautiful machine. The serial number on the manual indicates that the machine was made in 1960 (starts with a zero). It is unusual that it wasnt sold till 65. The wand is from the newer model (It should have had two steel wands to make it original) and the dusting brush is from the newer machine as well (the early 88's all had metal tops on them - first ones chrome with a red bumper then painted red with a white bumper). The plastic top came out with the later (bumpered) style of 88. I suspect it was old stock that had had parts robbed from it that were replaced when the new style ones came in. It was definately a clear out price as the model 86 (with bumper) sold for $159.50 at that time (I dont have a price for the 88) Incidentally - the C used to designate the bags now just designates Cannister, U was Upright and R was Renaissance. | ||
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Post# 128683 , Reply# 25 3/25/2011 at 01:10 (5,046 days old) by a007kirbyman (--->> Originally My Mom <<--- (now Wisconsin)) |
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Fred & the '88' Lux...
"...Any Canadian feedback about this machine would be welcomed...."
Hello Fred. I know you said you'd welcome feedback from any Canadians... ...however, I'm going to ignore that, like other NON-Canadians have above. ~~lol~~ I'm not really 'into' 'other' brands, however I feel deeply compelled to say WWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!! That is an incredible acquisition you have there! (I have not said anything before, [shame on me]; however, I have had my eye on a couple of the red Luxes that others have posted! (ie: Dave Kerr, etc. ---->>> BEWARE!!!) THEY HAVE BEEN VERY NICE AS WELL!!! :-)) Fred, you should BEWARE now as well, I've heard of these two characters down in GA & FL. One might sneak it out in a 'crevice' & the other may may attempt the same in 'waffle batter.' So I've heard, from a in-the-know spy. ~~lol~~ And thank you again for all you've done for & with the VCCC. As long as I've been here, you've done a fantastic job as webmaster. You have left some wonderful shoes for Fred S to fill. I would be hard pressed to think this Lux has ended up with a more deserving person. My hat's tipped to you. I wish you well working with the newsletters. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!!! Cheers & hagn/d all, Bill | ||
| Post# 128691 , Reply# 27 3/25/2011 at 03:03 (5,046 days old) by electrolux~137 () | ||
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Post# 128698 , Reply# 29 3/25/2011 at 05:16 (5,046 days old) by arh1953 ( River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida) |
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That is just to pretty to believe! | ||
| Post# 128700 , Reply# 30 3/25/2011 at 07:05 (5,046 days old) by kenkart () | ||
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OH MY! And it is about a month younger than I am....Wish I had been taken that good of care of LOL...Beautiful, I really would like to find some European machines, they are scarce here! | ||
| Post# 128703 , Reply# 31 3/25/2011 at 08:32 (5,045 days old) by scvacuumguy (SC) | ||
Canadian Feedback???!!!
From my Canadian partner in crime...wow, my grandparents had one like that. Its a pretty cool looking vacuum, eh? We should get something like that for the store, eh?
Fred you lucky duck- that machine looks gorgeous, we are planning to take a thrifting and antiquing expedition in Canada just to find one like that this summer. | ||
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Post# 128987 , Reply# 32 3/26/2011 at 17:28 (5,044 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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OK | ||
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Post# 128988 , Reply# 33 3/26/2011 at 17:30 (5,044 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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Next | ||
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Post# 128990 , Reply# 34 3/26/2011 at 17:31 (5,044 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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The Machine | ||
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Post# 128991 , Reply# 35 3/26/2011 at 17:32 (5,044 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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Finally | ||
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Post# 128992 , Reply# 36 3/26/2011 at 17:32 (5,044 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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She's | ||
| Post# 129020 , Reply# 38 3/26/2011 at 21:23 (5,044 days old) by luxg () | ||
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Beautiful Fred, Just beautiful!! | ||
| Post# 129029 , Reply# 39 3/26/2011 at 22:00 (5,044 days old) by portable (Corvallis, OR) | ||
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Post# 129745 , Reply# 41 3/29/2011 at 19:13 (5,041 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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Steve | ||
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Post# 129755 , Reply# 42 3/29/2011 at 19:50 (5,041 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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BTW | ||
| Post# 129765 , Reply# 43 3/29/2011 at 20:28 (5,041 days old) by vac_whisperer () | ||
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Sorry for the late response: But in the words of Peter Griffin, HOLY CRAP! VW | ||
| Post# 129773 , Reply# 44 3/29/2011 at 21:04 (5,041 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
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Equally fascinating to me is that this 1957 manual offers as optional accessories both the Junior Floor Polisher in silvergray hammertone and the Turb-O-Tool Power Unit and Polisher Base (reply #8 above).
Also, on Page 24 with the Pet Grooming tips is a reversed negative photograph - note the side trim lettering - of two babies with an American LX. Curious that a single obvious American stock photo was used in such a beautifully printed all-Canadian manual; not the sort of glaring error one would expect. The 1961 Version Two manual eliminates many of the pages includng the American LX photo, shows fewer additional option tools and features the new PN-1 rather than the Junior Polisher and Turb-O-Tool. Dave 
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| Post# 129804 , Reply# 45 3/29/2011 at 22:50 (5,041 days old) by electrolux~137 () | ||
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That makes me wonder if the LX was ever sold in Canada? Doug, do you know?? I will say, I've never seen this photo in any U.S. Electrolux literature anywhere. | ||
| Post# 129818 , Reply# 46 3/29/2011 at 23:40 (5,041 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk) | ||
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Hey Charlie:
Yes the LX was sold in Canada briefly as was the AE. Pretty much it was just a test run to see how the new ideas (disposable bags, mechanical brain etc) would go over here before they incorporated them into the Canadian designs. (The 80 series machines which used these designs didnt come out till 1957) Interesting side note is that the AE was sold here with a full set of attachements, not the combination ones as they were only sold with the bottom of the line Z54. A top of the line vacuum was expected to come with a full set of attachments and a kit to keep them handy. I've included a scan of the instruction book leaflet for comparison. Doug 
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| Post# 129842 , Reply# 47 3/30/2011 at 01:44 (5,041 days old) by electrolux~137 () | ||
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Thx for the info -- I knew the Automatic E was sold there (with Canadian-style attachments -- wonder how they explained what the dusting clip on top was for!), but did not know the LX was, also. | ||
| Post# 129919 , Reply# 48 3/30/2011 at 18:45 (5,040 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk) | ||
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Post# 129945 , Reply# 49 3/30/2011 at 21:02 (5,040 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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There is Definitely
Something odd about this machine. Now that I look at the manual, I see some distinct differences from the machine I have. The tools are distinctly different. I can understand the tools being different, but in this case, the machine is different from the manual. Two unique differences. First the plug end of the cord is like the later 89 with a bumper. Also the manual doesn't show a tool clip on it, yet my machine definitely has one. The pictures above also show no tool clip. Interesting. I wouldn't wonder about that except that Doug indicates that the machine was manufactured in 1960. Kind of wonder if it wasn't some kind of prototype??
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| Post# 129960 , Reply# 50 3/30/2011 at 21:49 (5,040 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk) | ||
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I've often wondered why that plug was in the picture myself. The molded plug you have on yours is the original with all the 80 series machines. The one in the picture is a removable (replacement) plug that was sold by Electrolux Canada to replace the broken plugs. It always seemed strange that they would use that for the picture. The only thing I can think of is that the book was done with a prototype and they hadnt started to make the new style moulded plugs yet.
You'll also notice that the sprayer is different. The red plastic one was designed for the model 88 /86 /83 run and shown in the manual yet 3/4 of the ones I have come across have the old style chrome sprayer. The only thing I can think of is that the factory had a large surplus of the chrome ones and they used them with the machines till they ran out. The accessory clip is a strange matter as some had it and some didnt. I havnt found anything to explain that one. The rug nozzle, floor nozzle, wand and dusting brush are definately from the post 1963 models of 86/88 as the bumpered machine is when the plastic dusting brush, telescopic wand and spring clip rug and floor nozzle came out. Yet the accessory kit and vaporizer are definately from the 1957-63 model. Doug | ||
| Post# 129968 , Reply# 51 3/30/2011 at 22:20 (5,040 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
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As Doug can tell us the one manual covered all the years of the version 1, as did the manual for version 2 (which states it also applies for the models ZB86 and 186 that do not include the Mechanical Brain Feature).
Gosh Fred, since yours was assembled in the last year of the 4 year production run before the Bumpers came out in 1961 it makes sense these improvements are there. The clip is a simple add-on under the top trim screwbolt and the plug stopper bulb was probably added early on in the run. Being it is hollow rubber it acts as a shock absorber when the cord lashes back into the reel, which effectively prevents shearing action on the plug (to our everlasting gratitude). If your machine was not Dealer upgraded for sale in 1965, perhaps it was factory boxed with these latest features including the new telescopic wand, floor tool elbows & red plastic dusting brush, and languished on the storeroom NOS shelves while the newer bumpered version 2s were flying off the shelves. :-) Here's a plausible backstory for ya...and I'm sticking to it. LOL When Mrs or Mr Mezey's time came to purchase a new cleaner in 1965 there were no version 2s in stock and they were offered this deal on the version 1. Dave | ||
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Post# 132127 , Reply# 52 4/12/2011 at 22:03 (5,027 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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Well
I got some filters for this machine. They are still available from Aerus Canada, but these are NOS from a dealer in Canada. Put it in the machine and checked it out. You are right Charles, with the filter, these machines rival the American XXX for sound - very quiet. The filter I took out only had carbon dust on it. Checking out the hose by holding my hand over the wand end of the hose and checking the exhaust showed that the hose leaks not at all. What a find!
This post was last edited 04/13/2011 at 05:14 | ||
| Post# 132129 , Reply# 53 4/12/2011 at 22:09 (5,027 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
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