Found Childhood Dream Machine: Hoover Model 69

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vintagefox

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2016
Messages
100
Location
California
I can rest easy knowing that I found one of childhood Hoovers...
I can't describe it, but this machine left an impact on me when I saw it on display at a vacuum repair and sales shop. My parents we taking me and my younger brother to this Cuban restaurant in Downey, California and right next door to it was a vacuum shop. Within plain view I saw a machine very different than the others that surrounded it and for $30 it was steal, but being a child at the time without any money I could never even afford to buy that Model 69.. Sadder yet, the Cuban restaurant bought out the place 8 months after our visit to expand their restaurant. I've searched on and off since then, to no real luck. Some leads pop up here and there but they've been mostly beat to heck and back. (We couldn't afford a computer or internet connection at the time, so whenever I had some free time in the local library I would browse online for one)

After a while I just stopped looking.

Flash forward about 12 years later. A good friend, Tom contacted me earlier in the month about having one that he had acquired from a lot of vacuums. Looking at the photos he had sent me, I nearly fainted. It was a little rough around the edges but the least beat up Model 69 I've ever seen. He had serviced it prior to me getting it, but it was still a tad dirty. So about 3 hrs of cleaning later she came out quite nicely!
This Hoover is going to be one of my most cherished machines next to my Model 700.
I genuinely can't thank Tom enough in helping me find my childhood dream machines. The lines, and color drew me to it as a kid and seeing that Hoover logo on the machine just made it even better for me. Now I own one.

I sincerely apologize if my wording is rather all over the place, but I'm still trying to calm down after I finished with the cleaning LOL.

-Alex

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Indeed so! After awhile I sort of lost hope in ever finding one that wasn't completely trashed...
I've been filled with glee since I got in the mail, I've never heard a 69 run before until now. She purrs quite nicely!

-Alex
 
She sure is! and Thanks Brando!
Your uncle's model 68 looks stunning for sure! Sorry about the smell though...If he has pets then the pet hair could be the reason why it smells, some dryer sheets could have taken care of the smell.
 
It felt good to vacuum with the ol' Model 69 today.
The only downsides are being that the cord is too short for my home. I will make up a 7 foot extension cord if I come across any white cord.
And the last thing being that it was a tad hard to push and not hearing the beater bars against the carpet.

Turned out that the belt was slipping badly, a new one fixed that issue as well as oiling the wheels.
 
Thanks Fred! I'm really glad to finally have one in my small collection. It sure is, the bag is a little tattered, missing a little paint here and there but that gives it some character.
 
I guess Hoover made then short to keep the cost down. If the cord was tattered I would have replaced it but its the original cord and in great shape! but yeah just 10 short to use around the house without having to unplug it outlet to outlet.

Mine too! I think they look great (not to mention, they don't get noticeably dirty compared to the later white switches)
 
The early bags were always too fragile. Over time they all become stiff and brittle. Often split at the bottom near the bellows and corners snag. Finding a nice example that hasn't hardened over time is sooooo hard.

My 65s bag is pretty stiff. Bag doesn't inflate much when running anymore.
 
The bag on my machine is alright near the bellows surprisingly. Its only torn a little at the top edges. But yeah up close on the vinyl it looks it was brushed on material. I've been careful with it, making sure it doesn't brush against the couches or coffee table. I hear Vinylex helps and also shines up the bag nicely but I have yet to try it myself.
 
Congrats--that's a great feeling, especially after the long wait!

I'm wondering how the Neptune Green of your Model 69 compares with Tropic Island Green of my models 36 & 454 (Connie)? I used to think the Model 69 was the same color. Does anyone know if there were other machines (vacuum cleaner or scrubber/shampooer) that were painted Tropic Island Green or Neptune Green?
 
Hoover model 69

that is a very nice convertible. Near as I can remember I am almost positive I have three of the model 69's.. I am only going to keep one so I will be selling two of them as soon as I get all these vacs (436 but whos counting.) to California I will be selling off my collection when I get moved so I will let you guys know when I start selling them. I want to get my collection down to 100. Dan
 

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