Another fun find

[rogera608s]

A few months ago I went in to the local Habitat store to do a vacuum check......only one vacuum in the whole place but it was this. Original hose and it works! The rug nozzle I think should be green so it seems this is a replacement.

 

[rogera608s]

Blower switch

Something I didn't know...the trim around the suction opening is the switch to turn the vacuum on for use as a blower.

 

[eurekaprince]

Is that an "on/off" switch on the hose handle? Are those electrical contacts in the hose port? If yes, what a cool Connie!!!!!!

 

[compactelectra]

OMG Roger

That's the holy grail of Constellations! A completely working Connie 87. The switch on the handle is pneumatic. They didn't last very long and are either found not working or retro-fitted with a switch on the machine. Congratulations!

Fred

 

[aeoliandave]

Yes, yes, yes, Roger!!!

That is a most highly desired Constellation. Came out in 1959. Here's the Dec 5 ad.
Yup, the floor nozzle would be in a matching Garland Green as was the Model 66 Convertible and Pixie, a fine complement to the pale yellow Floor Washer and the Polisher.

Dave

 

[aeoliandave]

Mine too, came with the light greige floor nozzle. I am ever questing for a Garland Green one...

It does appear in the ad that the cord is indeed a pale buff gray colour. I have replaced that ugly plug with something more appropriate.

 

[aeoliandave]

A picture from my Ebay files of the correct green floor tool and telscopic wand. I have the wand now at last.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Ugh!

That's an absolutely delicious find! I think that's just about every collector's wet dream -- to walk into a thrift store and find a completely mint Model 87 Constellation... You're correct about the rug tool being incorrect. It would have been green. The cleaner matches your model 66 Convertible so nicely! A family reunited at long last!

Congrats on a gorgeous find! How much $$ did you have to shell out for it?

Ida- The control on this Constellation is actually a low voltage wire running through the hose to a relay inside the cleaner, which turns the vacuum on and off--similar to a central vac. The pneumatic control you're thinking about came about mid 70's in a Celebrity...

~Fred

 

[luxg]

Roger, that machine is in amazing condition!! The fact that the switch in the hose still works is unreal. Dave thanks for posting that ad, that really helped as I thought maybe the nozzle wasn't green.

Glad to have you back with us Roger!!

Terry

 

[normvac]

Connie Mod. 86

The one I have is all orginal, from the orginal owner. Now let
me say, that knowing the org. owner. I know it was bought in
June of 1959. Along with the be loved matching Mod. 66 Conv. upright. Both purchased at the same time, before the owners wedding.
Then 20 years later the son, that I know. Put in a new
toggel switch on the side. After Mom had replaced at least 3or4
Hoses with the switch in the handle grip. So yes the orginal
carpet tool is the same green.
The fact that the crest on the front was a switch for the blower I did NOT know. I'll have to take a closer look !
ONE day the Conv 66 is suppose to find it's way to my collection. The armature slowed up, two years ago. The cleaner was placed in another closet. Then replaced by a Sanitaire Upright !! I would say that after 50+ years of
service the Hoover 66 gave. A Sanitaire was a good replacment for maybe 20 years of service. I do have 2, model 66s convertables waiting to bring that one org. owner 66 to sit
proudly next to it's sister 86 Constellation !
Norm

 

[aeoliandave]

The low voltage copper wire is embedded in the plastic covering of the hose coil wire inside the vinyl hose sheath, as seen here. The red & blue wires run to the switch. Two metal clinch clamps are held in place with screws, completing the electric circuit from hose to handle switch.

 

[aeoliandave]

Yes, the switch bezel is neccesary to use the Connie 87 hose

The two contacts just inside the bezel are clearly visible and exposed to fingers by their positioning. A shock hazard does exist. Rotating the goldtone anodized aluminum bezel slightly to the right simply closes contact between the two sprung prongs (which engage with the hose base) with a none-too-reliable sliding motion. Arcing can occur.
Whenever the hose wiring fails or the bezel prongs do the only fix - other than replacement hoses or bezel components - would have been an expedient toggle switch intervention and fitting of a standard non-electric hose.
This bypassing of the bezel and hose electrics with a body mutilating switch is what makes an original and intact 87 so precious and unique.

BTW, anyone have a stash of Garland Green floor nozzles for us 87 owners to pick over?

Dave

 

[aeoliandave]

Sorry, the bezel doesn't rotate...it swivels sideways, held in place by that screw at top center.

 

[compactelectra]

Well

As usual Veda, you are correct. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? I still can't get over you teaching me about the dual fans on the 51 Aero-Dyne!

Ida

 

[eluxca]

Years ago I had the pleasure of knowing Ms. Dobbie Magee, co-owner of old family furniture store in my family's hometown. They were long time Hoover dealers, starting somtime before WW II. Dobbie was the Hoover trained repair woman and there wasn't fix she couldn't make happen nor a model she had not seen. They sold several 87 Constellations in the day, and several came back for hose repair. She mentioned a hose repair kit that Hoover made for the 87; unfortunately she did not explain what was in the kit. Maybe someone in Vacuumland is familiar with it.

She did not like jury-rigging a vacuum and was a perfectionist in her work. I miss visiting with her and truly miss her generation's attention to a job well done.

John

 

[kenmore81]

Nice Connie!!!

Welcome Roger. That is a rare find these days, like everyone had said the switch usualy gives out. A neighbor had one when I was very young and it did still have the hose with the switch but her husband did a home job switch on cord. I remember looking all over for a Connie with 2 switches. Little did I know at the age of 3 or 4 that it wasnt supposed to be that way.lol. Its funny how I remember that but I dont remember trying to use it as a sit n spin like they say
Anyway enjoy your new Connie, And the matching Vertty.
Kenny

 

[rogera608s]

I couldn't believe what I was seeing when I found it and then to have the hose too. When I got to the checkout counter the woman said well the little Hoover is getting sold and then she said to me-good luck finding bags for it. I told her I had a few at home!
Fred- it was a whopping $20!
My Hoover parts book shows a transformer and a relay for the model 87 so I figured they reduced the voltage with the transformer and used a relay to start the motor.
Dave-I would love to find a green floor tool someday too.
Roger

 

[dial-a-nap]

Very nice, Roger, it's in beautiful condition!

 

[electrolux~137]

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