Hmmm... wonder what this is...

A triangular-shaped bowling ball? Nah, that can't be it.

Maybe a piece of vintage office machinery?

Well, here's a big clue!

And an even bigger clue!!

Peeking inside...

This is a chrome-plated version of the Electrolux Model B7 two-speed floor polisher and scrubber which was introduced by Electrolux in 1958.

Isn't it just stunningly beautiful!!

This special chrome-plated version is very rare as only a hundred or so were made and presented to top-achieving Electrolux sales representatives.

This specimen has never been used; it came with a brand-new set of scrubbing brushes and a special padded vinyl protective case for the motor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This model has a two-speed motor. The big push-switch changes the speed.

The underside is so clean you could eat off of it! And look at those spotless brushes!!

The original cord, also in perfect condition. (The outer covering of these older gray Electrolux cords was made of higher quality vinyl than new Lux cords and is very soft and supple, almost like rubber-covered cords.)

And here's a fun link showing it in action:

Gee, I guess I was so excited about getting this machine that I neglected to say where it came from!

Y'all may recall I posted back in May about my friend Norm Wike, a retired Electrolux man, whose wife had just died and he was having to clear out and sell the home they'd lived in for many years. At that time I bought some things from him and he gave me some other treasures, including a beautiful Model XXX ash tray. (See link.)

Well, he called last week and said "I've found something that I think you might like. When can you come over?" I stopped by the following day and he carried the chrome B7 out. My heart just about stopped. He said "I can't think of anyone who'd appreciate this more than you" ... I wish I could just give it to you, but I do need to get something for it.

I asked how much he wanted and he gave me a very low price. Of course I agreed without any haggling. While it's a fraction of its value, it was more than I should have spent given my tiny income, but I've been eating canned beans and bread to make up for it...

So, mixed in with my joy over finding this beautiful treasure is deep sadness over Norm's situation. He really took his wife's death very hard, and is now faced with the heartbreaking and backbreaking chore of clearing out their house where they lived since the early 1970s.

He's a really, really nice man and I feel very sad for him and what he's having to go through.

@gsheen -- "Well I'm sure he got some joy seeing how happy you got when he brought it out." Yes, I could tell he was pleased by my reaction! When he brought the polisher out, he had a twinkle in his eyes and a mischevious grin on his face. When he saw the look on my face, he let out a good chuckle.

btw, did anyone notice that the outer material of the protective case is made of the same leatherette (cloth-backed vinyl) as the top cover of the Model XXX?! It was dyed in metallic silver instead of slate gray, but if you look closely you can see the "veins" in the material. So, I assume that means that the covers were made at the Electrolux plant. I wonder if they offered them to consumers as an option. As I said in the video, I've never seen one. When Norm came out with the polisher and I saw it at first, I assumed the cover was something he had come up with to keep it covered. It wasn't until I got a good look at it that I could see it had been custom made for the machine.

It doesn't surprise me that it was never used. I am quite sure that it would have been displayed in Norm's branch office as a point of pride and example of his success with the company. The only other one I've ever seen stood in the front show window of the Electrolux branch office in Glen Burnie, Maryland.

btw, on a whim I just googled that Glen Burnie Electrolux branch. I would have gotten quite a start if that chrome B7 was still in the window! Well, it isn't, as far as I can tell from the fairly small photo I found, but they do have some old machines on display. I can make out an LX, then either an L or an E, a XXX, and then I think a G or maybe an F. Someone who lives in the area oughtta make a pilgrimage over there and see what-all they've got! You never know ... that chrome B7 just might still be there!