Can anybody tell me anything about this Hoover?

[laspirateur]

I believe it's a model # U400: I love the color but I want to know if it's a top or a bottom and whether it has the beater/bar/brush or just a brush bar.

 

[eluxomarty]

Ken

Model U4007. From about 1973 to 1975. Bottom fill C bag. The brush roll has beater bars on it. I think it still has rear tool conversion also. Hope that helps.

Marty

 

[convertible68]

That particular Custom Convertible is on eBay right now, and judging by the pictures, it appears to be a pretty low-mileage machine. If I could afford it I'd get it, however, I see the initial bid-competition has already started, and I have a feeling it won't be ending for $29...

 

[myhooverco]

This was the top line model for 1973 and it introduced a totally new hood design. Known as the "full hood" models. This was a rear conversion machine. The early versions used the standard Convertible die cast chasis. Later on they cut out more of the aluminum chasis to save on costs. Since the hood covered the chasis anyway, the consumer was none the wiser. This model was really NO different than any other Convertible up to that time except for the hood. The Hoover Company wanted you to believe that this was truly something new. They advertised that the new model had a "jetstream air system". This is right from the brochure:

Straight-through air stream for peak fan efficiency. No restrictive sharp-angle ducts or elongated channels to risk clogging. Fountain of air deposits dirt and dust without packing.

This is funny since the same bag, tube and bellows were used on the previous models.

Specs:

17 pounds
17 foot cord
4 amp motor
5.5 amps when using tools
12 blade aluminum fan
Color: Goldtone with attactive print bag

How cool is this model? You have to love it! Thanks for posting a pic.

--Tom

 

[scott55405]

I wasn't a big fan of when they went to this style of hood, but this one is very cool! I like the colors and the bag.

 

[seamusuk]

Chassis's

Hey Tom

My U4003(US made but 240V spec) has the "cut away" chassis, it looks most odd when you turn it upside down lol!!. We never had anything like it over here, the U4002, U4014 etc just have a standard(unpainted) 652 type chassis, even the indent for ther Hoover emblem is still present.
Was the U4003 advertised as having illuminated edge cleaning?? Mine seems to but im not sure if its intentional or just a side effect of the chassis design!!!

Seamus

 

[myhooverco]

Seamus...some of our models had the standard Convertible chasis with the ident for the Hoover logo...just that later they took out as much aluminum as possible for these full hood models. The chasis were also unpainted. I never thought about illuminated edge cleaning on these models. Our Decade 80s had "Edge Lighting" on them as they used two push in type bulbs and the Decades had the wrap around headlight to go with this feature. I am not sure how effective it was though. It was a nice feature to advertise though.

--Tom

 

[citation]

We have a model U4103 similar in style. Baby blue with a white handle, the bag (type A, same as Dial-A-Matic) is blue flowers on a white ground. It has no provision for Convertible-type attachments - I think it used a type that attached over the brushroller opening. I got it out of the basement of an antique shop for $5 - rather less than the one on ebay! I got as a curiosity but it has become the "everyday" vac as keeps the shag carpet so fluffy! This is my first entry - always a good read but this is the first one I wanted to share. By the way, is there any reference list for the bewidering array of Hoover model #'s? Or did they just change the number when they changed the color and/or deleted the rubber handle cap? Cheers, Tom E

 

[myhooverco]

Tom...you are so right about Hoover model numbers. They often changed the number when a new color was introduced. However, some models kept the same number but changed colors as production went along! It can drive you crazy. They generally used two or three digit numbers until the later 60's when they went to four digits. In 1973, Hoover computerized and used a letter designation before the four digit model number much like todays models. Congrats on the blue Hoover Convertible...it sounds like a 1977 model that introduced the type A bag. You are very right in that it used the new "power seal" attachments that went under the brushroll. Your Convertible will keep your carpets looking like new. Thanks for posting!

--Tom