Argos 1976 Catalogue Scans

[sebo_fan]

I note that one or two pages have been uploaded here already but thought some members would like to see the entire sections taken from Argos 1976 catalogues for both vacuums and sweepers. This is not from me, but rather found it on flickr.com earlier this evening and faster to look at on here than slower with Flickr in general.

 

[sebo_fan]

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[bagintheback]

I'd love to learn more about the Kenwood Pile Rider in the third scan. Judging by it's name and age, I would think it was designed for shag carpeting. Does anyone have this model in their collection? 

 

[sebo_fan]

It reminds of the U.S Hoover Convertible U4009 but with a headlight/dirt searcher lamp.

And I've never seen a Hoover Freedom 1000 before with the tool storage on the top - thats a new one.

Also found a lovely photo on Hoover's Facebook page of a Freedom 1000 in purple.

 

[hoover119dude]

boy does this bring back memories of when vacs were not all made of see through plastic. truly great all british designs. i used to love going to woolco with my nan on sundays. i always made a beeline for the hoover section. those were the days.

 

[jmurray01]

That is interesting to see that the Senior Ranger (or Ranger Senior as they call it) was the most expensive upright vacuum cleaner Argos sold (from the scans you posted). I always thought that the Electrolux 502 would have been the same price or more expensive since it was a clean fan with better above floor cleaning.

 

[eurekaprince]

Love the on-board tool caddy on that Hoover Freedom 1000!

 

[turbomaster1984]

Bag in the back

The Kenwood Pilerider is somewhat of amystery machine as far as collectors go.

Nobody has one to my knowledge or spare parts apart from a brand new outer bag which Myself and Paul own.

Like many cleaners you either stockpile parts in hope that the cleaner comes along - 7 years later is hasn't or you wait for the cleaner and parts dont materialise.

LOL!

I do wonder if it has much to do with the 'Colston' or Spinney uprights of the same period.

Might be worth looking into what the eastern bloc were producing upright wise to see if its roots are from around there.

 

[sebo_fan]

No, the Ranger Senior/Senior Ranger is a lot heavier and uses a bigger bag. Clearly Hoover may well have suggested the retail price back in the day to Argos or Argos would have applied some extra profit tagged on. The Starlight and the Electrolux 502 are more similar in size though, so it is clear to see that with the same price, what kind of market aspirations both brands OR Argos were trying to coerce buyers into compromising on. Back in the day, catalogues had a habit of not mentioning weight either and if you've had a 502 you'll know they're a lot lighter than Hoover uprights.

 

[turbomaster1984]

Ryan

Funnily enough I have always seen the Starlight as hoovers Tol cleaner of the period and the ranger as a bit of a fill in to patch the range up although I have no idea why they just didnt get rid of it for something more modern.
Perhaps it was better the devil you know.

The Starlight feels much nicer to use with a comfier handle grip, the push force spread out over a wider area than the senior which makes for less wrist work.

Not to mention the bag box, better suction from the relatively sealed tools system, floor height dial, smaller cleaning path to aid getting in and under dining chairs etc, flat longer lasting belt.

Allround better features bar the bag capacity which I dont feel is much of an issue anyway.

The floor height dial could be argued but I have never been able to master adjusting the seniors lever with a foot and usually end up bending down to adjust it anyway. Much easier with a dial.

 

[sebo_fan]

Or for the fact that probably at that point the Hoover Senior Ranger was still getting sales in - and all of their sales brochures promoted the bigger dust bag capacity.

I know what you are saying though - it is easy to think of the Starlight as TOL, even though it has less watts than the Ranger. Equipped with a more modern name and headlight like the Senior Ranger, it would be easy to pick one over the older model, let alone the soft bagged Junior. Pity Hoover never went as far as adding a light to the BOL Junior Deluxe U2068 - and I'm unsure of that rubber handle - sometimes it feels smooth - but sometimes its well too sticky!

 

[sebo_fan]

Some more. This time from 1974/Argos.

 

[sebo_fan]

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[collector2]

Wow could you do an enlarged scan of the goblins as well please?

 

[sebo_fan]

Here you go