Glamorous Hoovers - 1940's and 50's

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Glam Hoovers

The Model 305 was made from 1939 to 1941, and then again briefly after the war ended in 1945, I believe

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Glam Hoovers

Even the old 28 has somewhat decent suction with the cleaning tools - not great, but better than some rear conversion models...

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Indeed.....

These were some well made and well designed vacuum cleaners. It's hard to believe that the 305 is almost 70 years old and still has amazing cleaning ability!
 
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For those of us that live vicariously through you, can you answer a few questions? I could probably crash the vacuumland servers, so I will prioritize (knowing I can ask you more later....) Can you tell us more about the 305? I have heard it is this mysterious machine and, though it looks just like the 28 and is basically only different in color, I read that it runs and is quite different. Do you have a favorite? Are there any discernible differences that you see in any of these models? Chris
 
There were 3 of these same "round head" models in

they were the 305, the 27, and the 28. (The 26 had a roundish head, too but was not identical, except for color, like these 3). The post that Charles Richard put up of the 27 pamphlet is great, you can see how much it looks like the other two, except it had a rather different multi-color motor cover, base, and bag.
The 305 (which was built primarily before WWII started in December of 1941) had some major differences from the 27 and 28. For one thing, it did not have side conversion for the tools. You would have to actually take the bottom plate and belt off the cleaner and attach the converter over the suction opening in the bottom, much like many of the Hoovers of the 20's and 30's. Not very convenient, I'm sure. If you look at the 5th picture of these guys above - the one where you can the the right sides of the 3 machines - you will notice that the 305 does not have the opening in the side of the base in which you would slide in the attachment converter. Another thing about the 305, one of its most famous, is that the word "Hoover" is actually molded into the top of the motor hood - very cool. I have heard over the years that the 305's tended to have a lot of bearing problems and that is why you see very few of them left today (in addition to being around 70 years old), although they had a fairly decent production run over all. My 305 runs great, although it is definitely a bit louder than the 28. The Model 27 had a very short run right after the war (45-46), and then was followed by the 28 which had one of the longest and more produced runs of any of Hoover's individual models. Hope that answers some of your questions Chris!
 
Hey, Scott and Charles

The Model 305 actually showed up in about late 1938 and really picked up steam in 1939. It definitely was Hoover's "budget model", often advertised for $49.50 "and your old cleaner". It would be the last Hoover to not have side conversion, a nifty item designed by Henry Dreyfuss, beginning with the Model 27, a model rare as hen's teeth, due to, you are right...its short production run. And yes, the Model 28 was one very popular vacuum. They are still showing up as used machines today. JL
 
side conversion....

I might be mistaken (so please point it out), but I think the side conversion started earlier than the 27. I know the 26 had it, and I'm pretty sure that the 25 and the 150 had it too. Anyone know for sure?
 
150

I wasn't there at the time, but I am certain that I've read that the 150 was the first to offer side conversion. Chris.
 
Beautiful Hoovers, Scott!

And you're right, the side conversion made its first appearance on the model 25 and 150. When the 305 began production, it was the economy model that sold next to the top of the line 60 and the mid-priced 26. It might have also been offered next to the 61 and 27 for a short period after the war, but I'm not certain. Anyway, they're all beautiful machines, especially with the original bags.
Jeff
 
Yikes -

How could I make that mistake? You're all right! It was the Model 150. The 25 followed shortly thereafter, I completely forgot! That's one of the things that made the US 150 such an engineering marvel......Sorry JL
 

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