Thread Number: 463
What's better than brand new? 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 4423   11/22/2006 at 21:52 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Why, NEW OLD STOCK, of course! Thanks to David letting me know about a FANTASTIC eBay "gold mine", I had the wonderful opportunity to buy three NOS Eureka 1400-series uprights, as well as a 3300-series canister, on eBay. While they weren't exactly cheap (the total, including shipping and another 3319 canister that I just bought today, ended up being over $300), I'm willing to bet that I paid less than what they were advertised for when they were brand new, 20-some-odd years ago!

First, the large box. I wonder what treasures lurk inside...

Post# 4424 , Reply# 1   11/22/2006 at 21:54 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        
The first box

 Contains a fab Eureka 631D in forest green!

Post# 4425 , Reply# 2   11/22/2006 at 21:57 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        
Waiting to be put together...

 Actually, more like waiting for me to figure out the instructions, as I had not assembled a 1980's Eureka before, but it was really nice to gain the experience! Notice the phone below, next to the machine...that was Mr. Dial-A-Nap himself on the other line.

Post# 4426 , Reply# 3   11/22/2006 at 21:59 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

This little "handle coupler" was what I did NOT notice in the box, and I (who up until now, had been assembling only Convertibles) had the hardest time trying to figure out how the two sections of handle went together. I dug around in the box some more, and d'oh, there it was! Here's how it is placed in the lower handle section, already fastened to the machine.

Post# 4427 , Reply# 4   11/22/2006 at 22:00 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Success! Now the upper handle fits into place.

Post# 4428 , Reply# 5   11/22/2006 at 22:01 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Clipping the cord into the lower handle section. What I find odd is that the upper handle section has the cord holder on the opposite side, facing the front.

Post# 4430 , Reply# 6   11/22/2006 at 22:02 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Pushing the plastic pins into the handle to hold the two sections together...the pins are very stiff, making it MUCH harder than it looks!

Post# 4431 , Reply# 7   11/22/2006 at 22:05 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Pins attached. Notice the lower pin on this side...this machine appeared to have been used once, probably for a demonstration, and you could tell someone wedged a screwdriver in there to remove it. If it's hard to attach them, I can only imagine how difficult removing them would be! Personally I would have just left it alone, rather than screw it up...

Post# 4432 , Reply# 8   11/22/2006 at 22:06 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        
Oh, and I almost forgot!

 Check out that MINT Disturbulator! No chips or nicks in the beater bars here!

Post# 4433 , Reply# 9   11/22/2006 at 22:07 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

All finished, what a beauty!

Post# 4434 , Reply# 10   11/22/2006 at 22:07 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Twilight glow...

Of course it runs flawlessly!

Post# 4435 , Reply# 11   11/22/2006 at 22:08 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        
Next in line...

 A 1476! I wonder what it looks like...

Post# 4436 , Reply# 12   11/22/2006 at 22:09 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Minty fresh of course, and in robin's egg blue!

Post# 4437 , Reply# 13   11/22/2006 at 22:10 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

And it needs a new belt! All three of them were like this.

Post# 4438 , Reply# 14   11/22/2006 at 22:11 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Fully assembled 1476; this one runs great as well!

Post# 4439 , Reply# 15   11/22/2006 at 22:12 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        
The last upright to be unveiled...

 A 1438! Check out that cool box!

Post# 4440 , Reply# 16   11/22/2006 at 22:12 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        
The assembly sheet

 Now how cool is THIS?

Post# 4441 , Reply# 17   11/22/2006 at 22:14 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        
Flip side of the assembly sheet

 Simplicity at its finest...

Post# 4442 , Reply# 18   11/22/2006 at 22:14 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Inside the 1438 box...

Post# 4443 , Reply# 19   11/22/2006 at 22:15 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Base shot of the 1438...that Vibra-Groomer II just GLEAMS!

Post# 4444 , Reply# 20   11/22/2006 at 22:16 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Fully assembled 1438, like NEW!

Post# 4445 , Reply# 21   11/22/2006 at 22:17 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Now for the canister!

Post# 4446 , Reply# 22   11/22/2006 at 22:18 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

The BRAND-NEW attachments! Notice the cardboard sleeve around the dusting brush.

Post# 4447 , Reply# 23   11/22/2006 at 22:18 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

The Eureka 3319 straight-suction canister, also in beautiful robin's egg blue!

Post# 4448 , Reply# 24   11/22/2006 at 22:27 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

And now, for the complete NOS Eureka ensemble. Left to right: 3319 canister from 1985, 1476 upright from 1984, 631D upright from 1986, and the 1438 upright from 1983.

While all of them have their usual cosmetic defects (as well as some melted-on styrafoam I had to deal with, but was able to remove), and aren't as picture-perfect as we would all like them to be, they are still NEW, which is the next best thing! And no, even though they work, and I will fire them up occasionally, I do not plan on using any of the uprights for any actual heavy-duty vacuuming. I will be glad to bring them to the Convention though next year and show them off there!

You might have noticed the 3319 missing its switch pedal; I found it in the bottom of the box when I took it out. I first thought it snapped on, but then I realized it fit to the piece of plastic behind the switch. Oy. That's OK though; now I will feel less guilty about using this one occasionally! I did buy the last remaining 3319, so we'll see how that one turns out. The second one, of course, will remain unused.

--Austin

Post# 4449 , Reply# 25   11/22/2006 at 22:29 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Another shot of the Eureka ensemble, with my not-so-NOS 630D upright. Seems the Concept One also decided to join in and crowd the picture...though what Eureka picture is complete without at least one Hoover in it? :)

Post# 4450 , Reply# 26   11/22/2006 at 22:34 (6,357 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Finally, here's me putting the 3319 to work. I just LOVE how all of these machines sound; so similar, yet so different at the same time. To top it off, none of them are relatively noisy, either. The uprights of course sound like any 4-amp blender motor upright should, but with varying degrees of air-whooshing between each one. The 3319 has the classic Eureka "canister whine" which I enjoy hearing as well.


Post# 4451 , Reply# 27   11/22/2006 at 22:54 (6,357 days old) by swingette ()        

well this is just wonderfull. my favorite is the 1438. a shiny metal brushroll is always welcome, and the brushes on the VGII are really nice, really *beats as it sweeps as it cleans*. and the floor nozzle on the 80s eureka canisters is very nice too, much better than the tacky one offered on BOL hoovers of the same era IMO. austin, if you need Eureka *H* bags simply go back to the page of the guy you bought these cleaners from, he has a few of the Genuine ones for cheap.

Post# 4452 , Reply# 28   11/22/2006 at 23:12 (6,357 days old) by hoover1060 ()        
very cool!

 Congrats Austin, nice to have those machines for sure!

Post# 4456 , Reply# 29   11/22/2006 at 23:40 (6,357 days old) by eluxomarty (Palm Springs)        
Austin

 Congratulations on the Eurekas!!! Those uprights do a great job cleaning carpets!!! I have model 1945 here in my room that is my current favorite!! The guys who laid the new carpet had had a Eureka upright similar and i made fun of it until i used it and i was hooked!! I went out and found the 1945 in a thrift store and cleaned it up and gave it a little TLC. It's a great vacuum! You can just hear the dirt going into the bag!!! How powerful is that canister? I remember seeing the forest green model in the stores back in the day. I love the color of the robins egg blue!!

Marty

Post# 4462 , Reply# 30   11/23/2006 at 00:51 (6,357 days old) by dial-a-nap (Omaha - the home of the TV Dinner)        

dial-a-nap's profile picture
Instant vacuum collection!

Those look great, Austin, the plastic handle reminds me of a Eureka I bought around 1987.

Post# 4464 , Reply# 31   11/23/2006 at 00:56 (6,357 days old) by luxboy ()        
Awesome find!!

 Austin.. what a great find. Those are some really nice looking machines. I have a Eureka ESP upright in almost that same color of green and I really enjoy using it. Thanks for the pics!

Derreck

Post# 4467 , Reply# 32   11/23/2006 at 01:06 (6,357 days old) by charles~richard ()        
That entire series of Eureka uprights is great

 I have a 1550-U (I *think* that's the model number - or something like that), orange-red and off-white with headlight.

I used to have a another one just like it -- don't remember now what happened to it -- that I performed a Dr. Moreau vivisection on, and installed a more powerful Sanitaire motor -- it fit perfectly since the inner part of the motor housing is identical. Other than being more noisy since the "hot-rodded" motor is more than two times as powerful as the "stock" model, it was a great carpet cleaner.

Funny story behind that second Eureka, the one I still have. It formerly belonged to Ellen Degeneres! A former girlfriend of hers was a photographer (and now actress) named Alexandra Hedison. Alex used to be our next-door neighbor.

We didn't know much about Alex really, as we rarely saw her and only occasionally waved hello or had "neighborhood small talk" with her -- nice weather we're having, how about those Dodgers, etc.

One day when I went over to say hi to her, I saw a white and orange Eureka upright standing on her back porch. I commented on it and said what a great vacuum it is.

She said, "Oh it's my friend Ellen's. She brought it over here but I don't really use it much since I only have a couple of small rugs." Not knowing who Ellen was, I didn't think much about it.

Then one day a couple of weeks later, I was out walking the dogs and was standing in front of my apartment. There was a beautiful black Mercedes convertible parked in front of the fourplex next door. I was looking at the car and admiring it, and thinking subconsiously as I looked at the driver -- a young, perky blonde woman -- "Gee, I know her."

Just as it dawned on me who it was, Ellen Degeneres - who was surely wondering why I was staring at her car - shrugged her shoulders, grinned sheepishly and waved, then stuck her head out the window and called out, "Hello! How are you? Don't worry... I'm not moving into the neighborhood!"

I laughed and said, "Well, we've had -worse- neighbors!" She shrugged/waved again, and roared off into the sunset.

It was all what I suppose a very typical "Ellen" encounter would be! Kinda zany, kinda funny, very unexpected.

Then a few months later Alex came by and knocked on my door. When I came to the door she was standing on my porch hiding something behind her back. She told me she was moving away and had a good-bye present for me. She stood aside and there was Ellen's Eureka! She said, "I knew you liked it and thought you might like to have it for your collection."

And indeed I did!

Post# 4471 , Reply# 33   11/23/2006 at 01:18 (6,357 days old) by charles~richard ()        
Ellen and Alex

 in happier times

(their break-up was pretty nasty and very public -- lawsuits, s#!t-slinging, all the stuff that goes with being a celebrity.)

Post# 4473 , Reply# 34   11/23/2006 at 02:22 (6,357 days old) by robgwisdala ()        
Hello

 Very nice finds Austin! Enjoy!
Aren't those Eureka uprights fantastic!

Post# 4477 , Reply# 35   11/23/2006 at 05:55 (6,357 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Belts

Hey Austin....

NICE finds, Those will be serious collectors items in years to come me thinks :).

I obtained a Electrolux/Sanitaire zc880 from Ebay last year NIB for £40 inc shipping(it needed a slight wiring modification tho!). It never really worked that well but I didnt think a lot of it until I was chatting to Jeff P and he said the belt was probably stretched(id used it maybe half a dozen times by then so the thought hadnt crossed my mind).

The tip he gave me was to use a Convertible belt thats been slightly "run in" as it were. They are much less inclined to stretch. I put one on and couldnt believe the difference!!!. Id be willing to bet it would outperform almost anything else out there for carpet cleaning ;).

Seamus

Post# 4489 , Reply# 36   11/23/2006 at 11:16 (6,356 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill (Birthplace of the Railway),England, UK.)        
Eureka!!!

 chestermikeuk's profile picture
Wow Austin

What a thanksgiving present, even if to yourself....great vacs and superb colours as well...I`m liking the greens, you`ll be building an extension before long for all the vacs n washers!!!!

Enjoy, Mike

p.s. Seamus, £19 plus £12 P&P got mine for, I was using it as the daily driver but just switched over to the G5...just had a complete Kirby service & hall cleaned for £19, whilst he was servicing the G5 I got to grips with the Sentria..

Post# 4524 , Reply# 37   11/23/2006 at 20:09 (6,356 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)        
Great finds, Austin!

 hygiene903's profile picture
Excellent additions to your collection. It's rare to find a 20 year old machine new in the box, but 4 of them--WOW!

And Charles, interesting story about Alex and Ellen. With the last name Hedison, I'm wondering if she was related to the actor David Hedison who was on (if I remember right) Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea?
Jeff

Post# 4616 , Reply# 38   11/25/2006 at 15:13 (6,354 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Thanks everyone for the responses. I finally moved the uprights down to the Studio in a suitable arrangement; up on the shelves where they deserve to be! The first 3319 is now sitting in my room, next to the 630D. Hopefully the other one will arrive soon!

Hi Marty, the 3319's power claim is 1 PHP at 6 amps, but it's further proof that amps and peak HP aren't the least bit important as far as power is concerned. The airflow is great; when I tried it out in the back room, there were some styrafoam "bits" left over from the previous "unpacking" and it did not hesitate to pull them in, even before I moved the nozzle across.

Charles, what a fantastic story, thanks for sharing. That 1550 must have an interesting history, to say the least! I wonder if Ellen bought it new? One of these days I'd like to see what it looks like...perhaps it is similar to the old red-orange Eureka we used to have, on the second floor!

--Austin


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