Good motor,poor suction--
--bad foam gasket.This can often happen with Specials that are now 30 plus years old.As above easily fixed with any foam that seals between fan housing and bag chamber.I have used layers of new,generic shop vac filter with hole cut in side.The above would be the last of 3 versions with a DJ type motor.
Great vacs with no chrome,built in cordwinder or automatic control but same hose & atts as deluxe.