Thread Number: 31756  /  Tag: 80s/90s Vacuum Cleaners
Electrolux Olympia 2 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 350539   4/17/2016 at 22:59 (2,930 days old) by Collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)        

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Hey Guys. Some time back we were discussing the Electrolux model 1453. I had said I had always heard it referred to as the Olympia 2 but no one else had ever heard of that designation. Today I finally found an instruction manual for mine so I thought I'd post it.

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Post# 350546 , Reply# 1   4/18/2016 at 02:48 (2,929 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)        

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I like these smaller, lighter Electroluxs.  

 

I've got an Olympia 2 or Olympia Special.  The Silverado Special is another one I just got Friday. 

 

They don't have the same motor as the full size Automatic model. 
Post# 350547 , Reply# 2   4/18/2016 at 02:53 (2,929 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)        

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Now I'm wondering what the 1984 Diamond Jubilee Special may have been called.
Post# 350554 , Reply# 3   4/18/2016 at 07:04 (2,929 days old) by Collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)        

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I find it interesting that the Olympia 2 came with the standard hose and the power nozzle was optional yet, according to the instruction book the Silverado Special came with the power hose and, by the look of it (though I am not certain from the way its in the manual) the power nozzle as well.

Post# 350586 , Reply# 4   4/18/2016 at 13:53 (2,929 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)        

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The inclusion of a pn was probably the acknowledgement that anyone spending money on an Electrolux in 1982, was expecting it to have a pn.  By 1982, wall to wall carpet was EVERYWHERE.  It was no longer the hardwood floors and short pile carpets of the 50s and 60s.  Even other vac manufacturers were going to extreme measures to pair a pn with their cheapest canister.

It's interesting to see the evolution.
Post# 351499 , Reply# 5   5/3/2016 at 23:23 (2,914 days old) by Paul (USA)        

Thanks for posting this, Doug. I'm thinking that the Olympia II preceded the Deluxe Special Model and was not a good seller due to the lack of a power nozzle.

Does the inside mention a model #? I'm thinking it may have been different than "1453", because the Olympia One was given the model 1505 when the PN-4A replaced the PN-4 at the tail end of its run.


Post# 352208 , Reply# 6   5/15/2016 at 21:44 (2,902 days old) by Dysonman1 (the county)        

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They only called it the "Olympia two" in Canada. In the United States it was referred to as the "special model". The deluxe special model included the power nozzle and electric hose. But the salesman would have to bring the standard hose back to the office to complete the sale. The special model was never packed with an electric hose, electric wand, or electric power nozzle. Unlike the model L, the electric hose that was packed with the Olympia one, along with the electric wand and power nozzle, fit the special model. So the salesman did not have to carry a separate pigtail hose, like he did for the model L. He could carry the special model, for the lowest-priced customer. He could swap out the electric hose from the Olympia, and upsell the power nozzle. Or he could just sell the Olympia one.

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Post# 352213 , Reply# 7   5/15/2016 at 22:44 (2,902 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)        

Was there a brown model L?

Post# 352215 , Reply# 8   5/15/2016 at 23:21 (2,902 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)        
Here's information on the L

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Thanks to our esteemed member, Charles Lester.

 

It's my understanding that the Model L was sold into the late 70s and overlapped the Olympia and Olympia Special in terms of availability.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO delaneymeegan's LINK
Post# 352218 , Reply# 9   5/16/2016 at 01:50 (2,901 days old) by Paul (USA)        

That's interesting that Canada used a different name for the U.S's "Deluxe Special Model".

Regarding the metallic gold Model L information in the previous reply I used to think that all Electrolux's metallic gold cleaners debuted in 1974 but have observed that only the 1205/Jubilee cleaner did. If you look at a Jubilee post card or one of the manuals (there were two--one with the gooseneck grip hose and one with the pistol grip hose) they picture the teal-colored B-8 and CB. I am aware that some photos were used in several different manuals; but I recently saw a teal Model L manual copyrighted 1974 and picturing a white hose like the Jubilee's.

So it seems that all the cleaners were painted metallic gold closer to the time the Super J was launched in October 1975.

Btw, I have never seen a Model L manual featuring a gold cover and text headings; I wonder if one was ever made?





Post# 352223 , Reply# 10   5/16/2016 at 08:45 (2,901 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
Electrolux Specials

 At one time in about 1982 the Special had special pricing of $199(std hose,no PN)and $299(electric with PN).This was a great value as the Olympia was about $459 and they sold many.
Later Specials were packed with electric hose and Power Nozzle.They could be returned to branch on Special as well as deluxe models if a hard floor customer did not want PN.

Post# 352234 , Reply# 11   5/16/2016 at 11:43 (2,901 days old) by Paul (USA)        

Good information--thanks.

I'm still wondering if the Special Model and Deluxe Special Model were given different model IDs? At one point someone--maybe Doug--mentioned a Model 1452. Was that the ID of the Special Model (without the pn and electric hose), or was that only for the Olympia II?

Post# 352236 , Reply# 12   5/16/2016 at 11:49 (2,901 days old) by Paul (USA)        

I'm also guessing that the Special Model was only sold in brown. Is that correct?

Please post photos of the manuals of the gray and sand color versions if you have them.

Post# 352252 , Reply# 13   5/16/2016 at 17:49 (2,901 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)        

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This past weeks Specials were on special offer.    He had the Olympia, I asked if he had others, he did.  

 

Two for one.  Both have the same model number.
Post# 352263 , Reply# 14   5/16/2016 at 22:29 (2,901 days old) by Paul (USA)        

2 for 1--very cool. I have those two and am aiming to get all 4 (the one in the DJ colors and the short-lived one in the Marquise colors).

I have a 1980 "Deluxe Special Model" manual that has 1453 listed on the model line in the fill-in section.

The gray version I have and the ones I've seen online have a decal on the front cover that states something about being compatible with a PN-4, PN-4A & PN-4B.

I'm wondering now if the PN-4B was the one originally paired with the 1453, or if it came with one of the optional brush rolls?

Post# 352265 , Reply# 15   5/16/2016 at 23:17 (2,901 days old) by Collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)        

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Tom and I were discussing this last night too. Apparently there is yet another version of the Brown Special Edition that we haven't seen. A 3 wire version as shown in this pamphlet.

Post# 352267 , Reply# 16   5/17/2016 at 00:39 (2,900 days old) by Paul (USA)        

I have the 3-wire brown power nozzle. The model is PN-4C.

Maybe there was also a 3-wire Olympia One.

Post# 352274 , Reply# 17   5/17/2016 at 04:34 (2,900 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)        

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The 3 wire is probably Canadian.  We aren't that safe in the U.S., to have a ground wire for a pn.  

 

It's a cute little outlet on the front of the Special.  It makes the Olympia Special, especially special.  Isn't that special?
Post# 352277 , Reply# 18   5/17/2016 at 08:26 (2,900 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
3 wire Electrolux

 The 3 wire Special was also available in US for the few commercial customers who would have to meet strict OSHA type requirements.
There was no Olympia or deluxe 3 wire Elux as that would require changing cordwinder.

Post# 352298 , Reply# 19   5/17/2016 at 15:11 (2,900 days old) by Collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)        

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As far as I know it was never available in Canada in the 3 wire style. That brochure is US. Honestly I am surprised that the Olympia 1 and 2 were even sold here as the strike in our factory was over in 1976 so there was no need to import more machines by the time those came out in 78.

Post# 352319 , Reply# 20   5/17/2016 at 19:06 (2,900 days old) by Paul (USA)        

Correction: the U. S.'s brown series (Olympia One, Special, Special Deluxe, Special Deluxe 3-wire, etc., was launched in April 1979, according to John Anderson (tig21er) and the 1979 copyright of the original manual that I have).

I also wanted to add that the '79 manual does not mention anything about the 3-wire Special Model Deluxe--just the Model CB. I'm wondering, then, if it was a custom order for a business rather than a homeowner/renter option.

Beginning around the mid-1950s Electrolux USA and Electrolux Canada began collaborating more closely to some degree. This is evidenced by the similar styles of the U. S. lettered models and the Canadian 80s series, the new crevice tool design that the U. S. adopted from Canada (some tan Model G ones even have the Canadian wordmark), the electric hoses, and the "E" logo that appeared on some of the literature (e.g. versions of the Model G and Model L manual, and the pink & white filter bag carton)--albeit the Canadian "E" included a maple leaf. So it doesn't surprise me that Canada continued to import from the U. S. even after the strike had ended--likely for test-marketing and providing more options to Canadian consumers.


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