RARE ELETROLUX MODEL LXI INSTRUCTION MANUAL FINALLY FOUND!

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The diehard Electrolux nuts among us know that there was a very short-lived version of the Model LX, called the LXI, that was sold for only about six months in 1955 before the Model E-Automatic came out.

There were some significant changes in the LXI that set it apart.

(1) The blower-end cover was designed exactly like the rear end of the Model E and E-Automatic except that it's chrome-plated. A chrome "halo" for storing the cord was provided when the optional cord winder was not purchased. A small metal hook for attaching the cord is located on the top-rear-side of the machine where the halo is attached.

(2) The cord winder is the swing-open type, rather than the kind that comes off. (Thus, the halo and swing-open cord winder were first introduced on the LXI and not on the E.)

(3) There's a rear axle attached to the runners, with two rubber wheels. (Not to be confused with the after-market wheels that clamped onto the ends of runners as two separate attachments. The LXI actually had a separate rear axle for the wheels.

(4) The area where the bag storage clamp used to be was done away with; in its place is a large rubber caster that makes the machine glide along as if it weighs nothing!

Well, many years ago I happened to find a copy of a Model LXI manual in a used bookstore that showed, on two different pages, these design changes. Somewhere along the way it got lost and I've been looking for one ever since.

Whenever an LX manual came up on eBay, if it was the version with the silver-only side rails instead of the earlier, more luxurious version with the red and gold plastic insert, I bought the manual if it didn't go up too high.

Time after time it was a disappointment -- just the usual LX manual that I already have copies of.

Then last week one came up. For some reason I got the TWINGLE big time -- I had a feeling THIS WAS IT!

I paid for the manual and waited for it to come. Today was the big day. My hands were trembling so badly (and still are!!) that I could barely open the Priority Mail jacket. I finally got open ... pulled out to the manual ... turned to page 44 ...

OMG!!! EUREKA!!! VOILA!!! I =finally= found it!!

"What's the big flipping deal," you may well ask! It's because the first time I found an LXI in a thrift shop many years ago, sometime in the early 1980s before the Internet or any vacuum cleaner clubs, I thought I'd found some sort of design prototype as I had never seen an LX with these details. Eventually I found out about the LXI and how rare it really is.

Okay, so here's a shipload of photos. Hope y'all enjoy sharing this wonderful find with me!!

Photos... < > Photo 1 of 15 View Full Size


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Post# 308629 12/12/2014 at 19:46 (3,421 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)
Checkrate/Likes 2 ~ ~ The diehard Electrolux nuts among us know that there was a very short-lived version of the Model LX, called the LXI, that was sold for only about six months in 1955 before the Model E-Automatic came out. There were some significant changes in the LXI that set it apart. (1) The blower-end cover was designed exactly like the rear end of the Model E and E-Automatic except that it's chrome-plated. A chrome "halo" for storing the cord was provided when the optional cord winder was not purchased. A small metal hook for attaching the cord is located on the top-rear-side of the machine where the halo is attached. (2) The cord winder is the swing-open type, rather than the kind that comes off. (Thus, the halo and swing-open cord winder were first introduced on the LXI and not on the E.) (3) There's a rear axle attached to the runners, with two rubber wheels. (Not to be confused with the after-market wheels that clamped onto the ends of runners as two separate attachments. The LXI actually had a separate rear axle for the wheels. (4) The area where the bag storage clamp used to be was done away with; in its place is a large rubber caster that makes the machine glide along as if it weighs nothing! Well, many years ago I happened to find a copy of a Model LXI manual in a used bookstore that showed, on two different pages, these design changes. Somewhere along the way it got lost and I've been looking for one ever since. Whenever an LX manual came up on eBay, if it was the version with the silver-only side rails instead of the earlier, more luxurious version with the red and gold plastic insert, I bought the manual if it didn't go up too high. Time after time it was a disappointment -- just the usual LX manual that I already have copies of. Then last week one came up. For some reason I got the TWINGLE big time -- I had a feeling THIS WAS IT! I paid for the manual and waited for it to come. Today was the big day. My hands were trembling so badly (and still are!!) that I could barely open the Priority Mail jacket. I finally got open ... pulled out to the manual ... turned to page 44 ... OMG!!! EUREKA!!! VOILA!!! I =finally= found it!! "What's the big flipping deal," you may well ask! It's because the first time I found an LXI in a thrift shop many years ago, sometime in the early 1980s before the Internet or any vacuum cleaner clubs, I thought I'd found some sort of design prototype as I had never seen an LX with these details. Eventually I found out about the LXI and how rare it really is. Okay, so here's a shipload of photos. Hope y'all enjoy sharing this wonderful find with me!! Photos... < > Photo 1 of 15 View Full Size

Post# 308632 , Reply# 1 12/12/2014 at 20:17 (3,421 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)
Checkrate/Likes I hope to find the following manuals: Thrift model T Tan/bronze model G Golden Jubilee

Post# 308633 , Reply# 2 12/12/2014 at 20:20 (3,421 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes *This is awesome!* I could hug you Charles Richard! Now, can you work your magic and tell us how much $149.25 is in todays money. I think $1000.00! Alex Taber.

Post# 308635 , Reply# 3 12/12/2014 at 20:33 (3,421 days old) by portable (Corvallis, OR)
Checkrate/Likes Congratulations CRL!

Post# 308643 , Reply# 4 12/12/2014 at 21:31 (3,421 days old) by tig21er (Indiana)
Checkrate/Likes *1955 to* today. $142.00 today would be $1,238.05

Post# 308645 , Reply# 5 12/12/2014 at 21:44 (3,421 days old) by ronni (USA)
Checkrate/Likes I always appreciate your attention to detail (annotated photos are a great aid to your explanations) and the wealth of Electrolux information you possess. Thanks for sharing. I have never seen an LXI manual--in fact I thought someone mentioned that because the LXI had such a limited run they didn't bother to print another manual. It would seem, then, that Electrolux executives changed oars in mid-stream--deciding instead to go with the automatic version of the basic Model E. It does perplex me why both Es didn't enjoy a longer run. It's great to have such informative threads as this as a reference. Thanks again.

Post# 308646 , Reply# 6 12/12/2014 at 21:48 (3,421 days old) by ronni (USA)
Checkrate/Likes Forgot to say CONGRATULATIONS on your acquisition!!! It's good that something so rare went to someone like you. I hate to think of such an item going to someone who is unaware of its value and perhaps not taking care of it or even tossing it at some point.

Post# 308648 , Reply# 7 12/12/2014 at 21:50 (3,421 days old) by compactc9guy (Bathurst NB)
Checkrate/Likes *Reply* If only i could find an owners manual for my Compact Electra c9 it would be nice

Post# 308651 , Reply# 8 12/12/2014 at 22:12 (3,421 days old) by Kirbyduh (Kentucky )
Checkrate/Likes *Woohoo!* Congratulations Charles!!! It is so exciting to find something you've been looking for a long time. As a fellow Lux nut, I certainly appreciate the scans. I snapped up the last LXI that was on eBay, and unlucky me - it is missing the front caster. I wish Electrolux would have used the fancier yellow side rails throughout the LX line. Anyways, I'm really happy about your find!

Post# 308662 , Reply# 10 12/12/2014 at 23:16 (3,421 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)
Checkrate/Likes ~ ~ According to the Consumer Price Index Inflation Calculator, $149.25 in 1955 equals $1,322.27 today. (See link.) About the CPI inflation calculator (from the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics): The CPI inflation calculator uses the average Consumer Price Index for a given calendar year. This data represents changes in prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban households. This index value has been calculated every year since 1913. For the current year, the latest monthly index value is used. CLICK HERE TO GO TO electrolux137's LINK

Post# 308670 , Reply# 12 12/12/2014 at 23:58 (3,421 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes *Hi Charles Richard.* It may sound crazy, but I just gave my model LX a good hug! My friend, Jeanette Pletincks, bought that LX the week after it was introduced, and to think it still runs like a champ after 62 years. I'm sure my love of her is a big part of it, but to a 2 year old boy, seeing it eject formed a memory that will be with me for life. I've already mentioned this in another thread, but the day the UPS guy droped off a monster box, and I saw the name A.J. (Adolf John) Pletincks, my heart skipped a beat. it was 'her' electrolux. Fast forward to tonight, seeing that sales slip, learning the price, and knowing I have the complete set even the tufter, and several original wrappers, was a 'pinch me' moment. What a machine, and now that I know the price paid for it, I understand the day I was helping Jeanette vacuum, and A.J. said "he needs to know that's not a toy!" As I said before, I'm blown away!

Post# 309082 , Reply# 13 12/17/2014 at 18:28 (3,416 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)
Checkrate/Likes ~ ~ Serendipitously enough, I just came across yet another reference to the rather elusive Model LXI. See photo below of the outer packaging for disposable paper bags, Model G era, noting the list of compatible models! View Full Size

Post# 308653 , Reply# 9 12/12/2014 at 22:16 (3,421 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes *Hi tig21er.* Wow! And to think I got the model LX that started my interest. No, not the same model, the one my friend Jeanette had when I was a child of 2. She left it to me in her will, and it's my daily driver.

Post# 308663 , Reply# 11 12/12/2014 at 23:19 (3,421 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)
Checkrate/Likes ~ ~ And by the way, I didn't get the machine (already have one), just the rarer-than-rare instruction booklet. Maybe I didn't make that clear enough. I still have the one I found back in the early 1980s. I'm not sure of the exact date but I do remember where I was living and in which thrift shop I found it (which is now long-gone); I even remember the weather -- it was a hot and sunny day. All that points to some time in the spring or summer of 1982.