Bicentennial Bliss!

[poconovacman]

A couple weeks ago at John Long's mini meet, I purchased from him a VERY beat up 1976 Bicentennial Convertible that was missing the cord, covered in filth, and in need of much cosmetic help.

Today, I brought it in for it's mechanical rebuild after giving it a thorough bath. John Gregory surprised me with a new, unfaded hood hood with a flawless lens.

Here we see John with the famous "Hoover Grease Gun" injecting fresh grease into the bone dry lower bearing

 

[poconovacman]

Following a successful greasing, we put the armature back in.

 

[poconovacman]

While I was there, the FedEx man dropped off a stack of new toys for John. Can't wait to see what was in them the next time I visit!

 

[poconovacman]

On the left, the hood that is now on the cleaner, courtesy of John Gregory. On the right, the original hood, sun faded, heat warped, and battle scarred.

 

[poconovacman]

Fitting the new carbon brushes. Anybody notice something missing??

 

[poconovacman]

Another hint.....

 

[poconovacman]

Nothing quite like a freshly rebuilt Hoover motor!

 

[poconovacman]

Before we can fire her up, we must fit her with a new cord.

 

[poconovacman]

Almost fitted!

 

[poconovacman]

This cleaner still has the old style handle fork. This indicates that it is from the very first production run of the Bicentennial Convertible.

 

[poconovacman]

Here she is during the very first running of the motor post rebuild. This is necessary so that the new carbons can seat themselves and the new grease in the lower bearing can distribute itself.

 

[poconovacman]

Now the cosmetic treatment can happen. Here the new hood is being fitted and the initial cleaning of the base begins.

 

[poconovacman]

To replace the missing medallion, John had a new old stock Hoover medallion from 1976, the year of this cleaner's birth.

 

[poconovacman]

Here you can really see what a difference the new hood makes.

 

[poconovacman]

EEEK! No service stickers on classic cleaners!

 

[poconovacman]

When was the last time you saw a new old stock "gate" that seals off the attachment channel on a metal base Convertible?

 

[poconovacman]

New bearings and bristle strips. New old stock North Canton Hoover parts of course.

 

[poconovacman]

It beats, as it sweeps, as it cleans.

 

[poconovacman]

And a set of new end caps too!

 

[poconovacman]

All done!

 

[poconovacman]

In all her glory

 

[poconovacman]

But wait, there's a surprise ending to this saga!

As an early Christmas present for Mr. Gregory, I decided that since the Bicentennial Convertible was such a sentimental machine for him, as he had gotten one for his 7th birthday in 1976 and no longer has his, that I would give him mine. Here the proud new owner poses with his new vacuum.

 

[poconovacman]

Giving it forward makes one feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

 

[poconovacman]

"Mr. Geda, my hood......errr, my hat goes off to you!"

 

[kirbyloverdan]

John Gregory

Made a machine that looked like it was ready for the metal scrap yard and with his magic touch brought it back to life .

Great job John looks beautiful and Matt that is so kind of you to give John a machine he was wanting , it is now in the hands of a most deserving kind hearted friend .

Dan

 

[durango159]

It's looks gorgeous!! Very nice gesture of gifting that, and that is quite an early Christmas gift!!! Congratulations to the lucky new owner of that nice machine!! We know that John will take great care of it!

 

[kirbyloverdan]

What a wonderful

Machine finally restored to its former glory .
It's really something how that blue color hood always faded .
Enjoy your awesome gift Mr. Hoover ...

Dan

 

[williamr1248]

Bicentennial Bliss

Matt,
Thanks for posting the pictures of the rebuild. Very interesting and much better looking Hoover in the end!
This is what is interesting to me about the vac club. By the time that machine came to market, because of my age, I had lost all interest in Hoover products and thought they were very cheap looking but NOW by today's standards and plastic cleaners from China it looks GREAT.
I don't remember EVER seeing one in person, so it made it special that you took the time to post all the pictures of the machine.
You have captured the "Spirit" of the club in gifting the machine to John, who will really appreciate the machine and think of your kindness every time he views it among his fine collection of Hoovers. Way to go!
Rob

 

[2011hoover700]

That was the same as one of my vacuums I had in grade school. I see it has a 4.3 amp motor carpet mode 5.7 for tools. now I really regret parting with it hopefully soon I'll aquire another u4085 bicentenial convertible. That will ultimately determine what my favorate comvertible is.
Thanks for sharing this.