A *Special* Hoover find!

[raycarter]

Congratulations!

You were fortunate indeed to find a Hoover 700 in such remarkably good shape. That agitator looks as if it hasn't seen a day's use! Glad to hear you also grabbed that U4523, which I believe was one of the first Hoover Convertibles carried by Sears' Brand Central appliance department. I have the very similar U4521, which has the same Ranger-style housing, but uses type A disposable bags.

By the way, how is the attachment suction on the 700?

 

[funvacfan]

Good for you!

I just love the crinkle finish. It looks so ready for daily use!

Guy

 

[brandon_w_t]

WOW!!!!!!

I usually don't care too much about the special hoovers. But WOW!!! I would have grabbed this in a heart beat. I think the brown finish is a little more unusual than the green/grey combo.

Congrats.

 

[eurekastar]

That really is a great find! Congratulations!

 

[oreck_xl]

I agree, that Special is stunning! Who'd have thunk a vinyl hose retrofitted on a 1920's era machine? At least whatever suction it has will make it all the way to the hose end....

- Hershel

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Great....

Great vac Fred.

I wonder what would of happened to it if you had not rescued it??
I also wonder what other great vacs out there go undetected from house sales etc?

James)

 

[henry200]

Fred, you keep finding the most amazing treasures!  That had to have been a heartbeat-skipping moment when you laid eyes on that Special.   I have a vivid memory of seeing a "Special" displayed alongside the newer models in one of the downtown St. Paul department stores, either Schueneman's (Dayton's) or the Emporium.  I was no more than 2 or 3 years old so that would have been around 1958. 

 

[kirbylux77]

Fred, that's a wonderful find there!!

To find a rebuilt Hoover like that, in near-perfect condition, & with a nice hose & attachments....man did you get a good score there!! Wish I had your luck.

I noticed you found a Kenmore Twin Fan there, as well....did it need much work? Looked to be in pretty good shape as well there.

Congrats on some wonderful finds.....Rob

 

[andy]

Gorgeous! I think Miele needs to send me up to Minneapolis again so I can come play with it ;-)

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Thanks for the compliments everyone! It really is a gem. I haven't had time to do a thing with any of the other machines -- the Kenmore Twin Fan is pretty filthy, it was sitting down in the basement. Not even sure if it runs.

Andy -- any time!

 

[vacfan6384]

that is a amazing find wish I still lived in Pa there was great places up there to look for vacs I cannot find anything here in FL

 

[hygiene903]

Excellent Find, Fred!

That's possibly the most beautiful 700 Special I've ever seen, especially with the original Special bag, cord, and plug in great shape! And I can see how the more modern attachments and Veriflex hose came with it, as they were the current attachment style at the time of rebuild, and were also sold with the 29, 62, and 115.
I have the same 700 Special, but mine isn't nearly as nice as yours. Mine has the usual battle scars, a really short replacement cord, and although I do have the original bag, I have a replacement on it now as the original is in dire need of repair.
Congrats on a great find,
Jeff

 

[air-waycharlie]

Fred,

Great find! Beautiful vacuum that definately needed to be saved. I'm trying to reduce what I have but that is one that would have come home with me. Love all the pics and glam shots!

Charlie

 

[kloveland]

Nice

Looks great! Love the hose. Hoover had some of the best hoses in the industry. congrats!

 

[vacumaniac]

Awesome Fred! Those special was a STELLAR find! You certainly got lucky there good sir!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Great find, indeed!

According to the HOOVER documents and my sorces in N CAnton, they stopped those to make the Lark...not the broom type, the small vacuum, the burgundy/maroon, (model 12) one, to be exact, 1953, I believe.Then came the blue one. These were to replace the reconditioned cleaners.Then came the green model, 634, made for only a year. It was not top of the line. I believe that HOOVER would have them in stores to celebrate their anniversaries. The dealers would try to get customers to "upgrade" to a better model. We all know that the 63, etc led the way ro Citation: then, of course, the Convertible, which would take over for decades.
Those HOOVER s[ecials, "babies" were great. Look how long they've endured. That one pictured is a great specimen of a great recondition.
Below is the Lark. I still must get the maroon one.