Help I.D. an upright vacuum and solve a mystery

[erin78]

Hello, I am new to this forum and I'm trying to identify an upright vacuum seen in a photo. Over 100 photos were recently revealed to the public in hopes of identifying people in them. These were found in serial killer Rodney Alcala's storage locker and were taken prior to July 1979. Sadly, at least three long-term missing people may have been in these photos.

Article: http://www.ocregister.com/news/alcala-238591-women-murphy.html#article-photos

In the photo below there is a distinctive upright bagged vacuum, seen behind the girl and also reflected in a mirror that's on the wall behind it. The vac is either pink or purple and has a matching bag. (Photo is mildly not-worksafe as the girl is wearing underwear.)

http://cnnnancygrace.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/00123.jpg
I'm on a forum called Websleuths and we are trying to identify when this photo was taken. If anyone can identify the model and year that vacuum was made it would be most helpful! I have tried to identify this vacuum but am having no luck, so I appreciate it. Thank you!

 

[xraytech]

Hi,

I reviewed your photo, The vacuum is a Hoover Convertible Special model 33.It's color is Dusky Lavender.
Production on the 33 ended in December of 1963, I'm not sure about the beginning of production but I am assuming late 1962.

Hope this helps

 

[kc_kirby]

I would guess the vacuum is a Model 589. It looks more pink than purple to me. That model was built from 1969-1971.

 

[kittingerhoover]

Not a 33!

This is not a Model 33, and I will tell you why.

1. The bumper is the wrong shape and type for a Model 33. The Model 33 has three lines in the bumper, and this only has one indent.

2. The machine in question has a full bumper, and the 33 is a half bumper machine.

3. The cord is dark and not white, which would denote the machine would be a 589.

4. The Hoover logo which is a small foil sticker and not the big metal "bug".

5. There is no string in the bag spring, also the bag spring is not white.

This is a 589!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Very Good Dennis!!

You DO know your HOOVERS. Do you know the story of the real "lavender one"? I do......

 

[erin78]

I'm beyond impressed. Thank you! I forwarded this information on the Websleuths board. So it's a Hoover Convertible Special Model 589, and thus we can assume the photo was taken no earlier than 1969.

I think I'm going to have to stick around this forum. I have a Kirby Sanitronic and a Shetland floor scrubber that I rescued from my late grandpa's basement four years ago and after seeing some of your restoration photos I want to polish them up and see if they work.