My latest purchase....

Hello Everyone. This thread is fairly old so I'm not sure if anyone's going to be perusing it for new comments or additions to it.

So I'm a newbie to the whole vacuum collector club, and new to the site also (I've put in a couple of comments already, so I am starting to get used to how this works). I recently picked up a steal of a deal off of Kijiji (for $65) this latest addition to my vacuum collection: the vintage 1960's Electrolux ELux-O-Matic ZB88.

From what I've researched here on the site, I have version 2 of the ZB88 right near the end of its production, and prior to the release of its sister model, the ZB89. This one is in good shape, all things considered: it turns on, suction is pretty strong at the mouth of the machine, but there are some issues with it I have to say. Let's talk about those, and maybe you guys can help me figure out what I'm supposed to do to fix them.

First of all, I didn't get all the attachments: I'm missing the original red crevice tool attachment, and the spray bottle too (this was originally merely an optional accessory at the time). I guess the previous owners lost the crevice tool a long time ago. The cord is intact and original, but the plug has been replaced (notice it's not red, and there's no bulb stop present). Mine is black in colour and rather block-like in shape, so it stops where it's supposed to when the cord winder draws it in (like a whip, too, so I know that works just fine!). There's considerable paint damage and scratches in many many places, and the rusty interior of the body and the exterior motor housing (which I can see from looking through the bag chamber "basket") is indicative that this vacuum was perhaps left exposed to moisture and possibly left outside and ravaged by weather elements. And even though the hose is original (notice that it's the pistol hand grip version) I've checked it with the vacuum turned on, and it does leak quite a bit - particularly at the end where it connects to the pistol hand grip. I can hear the air hissing around the collar, and there are visual indications that the inside rubber lining is missing in some spots, (which is common, given its age) leaving only the braided hose which weakens the suction considerably.

The front wheel might need replacing: it looks like it's been dragged over loose gravel or concrete or something (see picture).

I was pleasantly surprised to find an original after-filter still inside the rear of the machine, and it is dirty but not a complete write-off. It's in the photos I've posted (displayed propped up near the base of the wall to the far left). I still think I'm going to try and buy a replacement somewhere online and get rid of that older one.

I also never got an owner's manual with it (not really surprised there, but I did ask the seller about it when I picked up the vacuum ---sadly, they didn't have it). However, I've found one recently on eBay, so that will be arriving in the mail soon enough.

I love that the original cardboard "Handikit" came included with the vacuum, (all in one piece too!) and how about that leatherette seat chest to store it in?! I scored on that alone, ladies & gents! The price I paid for the vacuum itself was totally worth it just for getting the seat chest! It's in excellent condition, with a slight odour to it (which I'm treating with some Febreeze to get rid of). A little humour here: I also received 1 air freshener sachet in the Handikit, untouched and still sealed ...I wonder if it still has it's fresh scent do you think??

So what do you all think of this find? I hope I've met the expectations of the group, and you can welcome me into the fold with open arms!

Feel free to comment and give suggestions on how to go about restoring this beauty! I am cleaning it thoroughly, so that's a work in progress right now.

--Thanks, Chad

Photos... < > Photo 1 of 9 View Full Size


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Post# 267080 2/10/2014 at 20:31 (3,720 days old) by s31463221 (Frenchburg, KY)
Checkrate/Likes And quite possibly from a collector on here! At any rate, I only have one Canadian Lux in my collection, an AP 100, so I'm quite excited to add this Elux-O-Matic 88 to my collection! It appears to be on the order of the American Model G, but any and all Lux experts please feel free to chime in!

Post# 267081 , Reply# 1 2/10/2014 at 20:32 (3,720 days old) by s31463221 (Frenchburg, KY)
Checkrate/Likes *And another view....* Inside the bag chamber.

Post# 267083 , Reply# 2 2/10/2014 at 20:50 (3,720 days old) by guido (ITALY)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *UAUUU !* UNBELIEVABLE COLOR ! Great Find !

Post# 267119 , Reply# 3 2/11/2014 at 08:40 (3,719 days old) by Collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes Hey Steve: That is an Electrolux ZB88. It was the top of the line model in Canada from 1963-1968 and is the second version of the 88 to be put out (The first one from 1957-63 didn't have bumpers). The lower line model at the time was the cream and red model ZB86. If you want to know the exact date of your machine take a look at the serial number. The first digit will tell you. Eg if the first digit is a 5 it was made in 1965. The power nozzle was introduced with the last of this model and the handle was changed to one which had an outlet included in it for the power head (Seen in the picture below). The only items that came with the machine that are missing from yours are the book, accessory kit and the sprayer. There were also a multitude of optional accessories available including items like the garmentair, hair dryer and seat chest. I've included a picture of the one I have in my collection for reference. (Note that during the run of this model the handle on the hose was changed from the metal one you have to the new plastic type shown in my picture) If you want to see more of the Canadian models take a look at my web page - smithcollection.altervista.org/in... Doug

Post# 267137 , Reply# 4 2/11/2014 at 12:14 (3,719 days old) by electromatik (Taylorsville, North Carolina, U.S.A.)
Checkrate/Likes That is one pretty color. I am not sure if American Lux ever produced a red vacuum.

Post# 267192 , Reply# 5 2/11/2014 at 15:56 (3,719 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)
Checkrate/Likes *Elux colors* There were Discovery type URs and LE style tanks as Special Editions in both a light to med blue and an attractive reddish burgundy color.Both with most of vac the light sandstone color. PS-The Canadian Elux looks to be and is a great vac.

Post# 267233 , Reply# 6 2/11/2014 at 20:27 (3,719 days old) by s31463221 (Frenchburg, KY)
Checkrate/Likes *Thank you all* For the comments and information! Doug, I greatly appreciate your response, like I said, I knew very little about them prior to my purchase, but I loved the look of it and the price seemed decent so I decided to pop a bid in, never expecting I'd actually win it! With your info, I'm really excited about it now and can't wait to check the date code in the serial number to see how old it actually is! Oh and I LOVE your machine, it is a beauty, thanks for sharing it! I wonder how difficult it would be to obtain the paperwork and missing attachments for it? Jimmy, I believe I have seen a model like what you're talking about, it's more of a maroon color than red though isn't it? Like the one in the photo below?

Post# 267302 , Reply# 7 2/12/2014 at 09:40 (3,718 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)
Checkrate/Likes *That's it-* -Both the canister & upright were attractive colors and remind me of some Hoovers of early 50s.The above Special Edition would be a great vac to clean any house as hose,sheath,atts & Power Nozzle have been replaced.Also why the colors are not matching and original.

Post# 267369 , Reply# 8 2/12/2014 at 20:59 (3,718 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Did anyone actually buy the hair dryer attachment? I can't imagine any woman wanting her freshly washed hair dried by the dirty exhaust of a vacuum cleaner. Did the Instruction Manual tell the user to remove the dust bag before using? Curious minds want to know....:-)

Post# 267375 , Reply# 9 2/12/2014 at 21:37 (3,718 days old) by mercuryman73 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Gorgeous Machine!* Hi Steve, That really is a beautiful vacuum you have acquired. In all honesty, I think the Canadian ZB88 (in comparison to the American Model G) is actually a more aesthetically attractive machine. Also what fascinates me about the Canadian Luxes of this era is the disconnect in consistency with American machines in regard to the attachments. The Canadian Luxes were still sold with the older (and separate) Model XXX-style carpet and floor attachments which were discontinued in America in 1954 with the introduction of the Model E. Furthermore, it wasn't until 1968 in America (with the advent of the turquoise Model L and the "new" Model 1205) that a plastic bag chamber was used in ANY machine. Congratulations on your great find! I, too, would love to have a Canadian Lux in my collection, but they're so hard to find.

Post# 267414 , Reply# 10 2/13/2014 at 07:33 (3,717 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes The models 86, 88, 89 are all great machines! Was there a model 87? I have the green 89 with all the original attachments including hose and power nozzle. The hose leaks quite bad so it is only for show. I bought a replacement vinyl hose which greatly increased the suction of the machine. Many of the hotels/motels back then used these vacs for cleaning the rooms not only due to their quality but because of how quiet they were and thus less likely to disturb the guests. Whenever we stayed at a hotel I couldn't wait to find out which Lux was being used by the maids. In my photo collection I have pics of the 89 as well as all the pages of the instruction manual Gary CLICK HERE TO GO TO countryguy's LINK

Post# 441722 , Reply# 11 5/11/2021 at 21:14 (1,073 days old) by sensitive416 (Toronto, ON, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Recently picked up my own ZB88* Hello Everyone. This thread is fairly old so I'm not sure if anyone's going to be perusing it for new comments or additions to it. So I'm a newbie to the whole vacuum collector club, and new to the site also (I've put in a couple of comments already, so I am starting to get used to how this works). I recently picked up a steal of a deal off of Kijiji (for $65) this latest addition to my vacuum collection: the vintage 1960's Electrolux ELux-O-Matic ZB88. From what I've researched here on the site, I have version 2 of the ZB88 right near the end of its production, and prior to the release of its sister model, the ZB89. This one is in good shape, all things considered: it turns on, suction is pretty strong at the mouth of the machine, but there are some issues with it I have to say. Let's talk about those, and maybe you guys can help me figure out what I'm supposed to do to fix them. First of all, I didn't get all the attachments: I'm missing the original red crevice tool attachment, and the spray bottle too (this was originally merely an optional accessory at the time). I guess the previous owners lost the crevice tool a long time ago. The cord is intact and original, but the plug has been replaced (notice it's not red, and there's no bulb stop present). Mine is black in colour and rather block-like in shape, so it stops where it's supposed to when the cord winder draws it in (like a whip, too, so I know that works just fine!). There's considerable paint damage and scratches in many many places, and the rusty interior of the body and the exterior motor housing (which I can see from looking through the bag chamber "basket") is indicative that this vacuum was perhaps left exposed to moisture and possibly left outside and ravaged by weather elements. And even though the hose is original (notice that it's the pistol hand grip version) I've checked it with the vacuum turned on, and it does leak quite a bit - particularly at the end where it connects to the pistol hand grip. I can hear the air hissing around the collar, and there are visual indications that the inside rubber lining is missing in some spots, (which is common, given its age) leaving only the braided hose which weakens the suction considerably. The front wheel might need replacing: it looks like it's been dragged over loose gravel or concrete or something (see picture). I was pleasantly surprised to find an original after-filter still inside the rear of the machine, and it is dirty but not a complete write-off. It's in the photos I've posted (displayed propped up near the base of the wall to the far left). I still think I'm going to try and buy a replacement somewhere online and get rid of that older one. I also never got an owner's manual with it (not really surprised there, but I did ask the seller about it when I picked up the vacuum ---sadly, they didn't have it). However, I've found one recently on eBay, so that will be arriving in the mail soon enough. I love that the original cardboard "Handikit" came included with the vacuum, (all in one piece too!) and how about that leatherette seat chest to store it in?! I scored on that alone, ladies & gents! The price I paid for the vacuum itself was totally worth it just for getting the seat chest! It's in excellent condition, with a slight odour to it (which I'm treating with some Febreeze to get rid of). A little humour here: I also received 1 air freshener sachet in the Handikit, untouched and still sealed ...I wonder if it still has it's fresh scent do you think?? So what do you all think of this find? I hope I've met the expectations of the group, and you can welcome me into the fold with open arms! Feel free to comment and give suggestions on how to go about restoring this beauty! I am cleaning it thoroughly, so that's a work in progress right now. --Thanks, Chad Photos... < > Photo 1 of 9 View Full Size

Post# 441727 , Reply# 12 5/11/2021 at 23:06 (1,073 days old) by Thevacomaticiec (Bathurst New Brunswick Canada )
Checkrate/Likes YOur best bet is to tape the hose or look for one on ebay , the rust inside well you mgiht wana remove the motor and bag basket and scrug with steel whooll. The tool do some time pop up o nebay i havea green 89 i love it .