Hoover 541

[oopcdasie]

Hi all, I'm wondering if you can help. I recently got ahold of this Hoover 541. I can only find 541's with nameplates that say something like "factory rebuilt". Mine doesn't say that. Can you tell me the significance of this difference? Are they the same?

I also noticed a stamp (black ink pad stamp) that says "July 23 1939" underneath.

Thanks for your help!

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

Let me help you here.....

Your Model 541, made between 1923-1925 is a one that has NOT been factory rebuilt, just serviced by a service center at one point. Those of which you have seen that state "previously Reconstructed At Factory" are one that were traded into Hoover dealers, sent to be completely rebuilt, and cosmetically spruced up (often the metal finish was panted with what ever current models color), then resold as the budget option. 


 


Your 541, as far as the body and handle, paint, motor, badge, and metal finish is original. However your bag is a genuine Hoover replacement, and the Model 541 would have originally had a cloth covered cord.  So that would explain the Service date of 1939, that's what that is, dealers and vacuum cleaner shops alike tended to make a reference date to the last time it was serviced. Sometimes, you will some machines with several dates stamped all over the bottom, indicating that it was serviced, and or repaired fairly often.


 


I am including a picture of what a all Original 541 should look like.

 

[oopcdasie]

Thank you so much! After reading through threads on here, I gathered the cord and bag were
not original. Thanks for your help!

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

Look....

I just saw your listing for this on ebay, Yes this is not a rebuild, but it is not worth $300.00 even if it were in mint condition. There were TONS of 541's sold at the time, and a lot still exist. Yours is pretty rusted out on the bottom, and the brush roll looks near unsaveable.  You need to realize that Vintage vacuum cleaners are not worth a whole lot of money regardless of age. Simply for the fact that there is no market for them. We are compartitivly a pretty scarce group compared to other collectibles. For instance, there are MILLIONS of Barbie doll collectors, and when someone lists a first edition 1959 Barbie for $400,00.00, The market is so large and so competitive that I will most likely sell for that. Here that is not the case. If you want to make any money on this machine at all, I suggest you start the bidding at $9.00 starting bid, and be happy with what you get. Again it is not going to sell for much in that condition, there are plenty of those around in good average condition.

 

[bikerray]

Out of curiosity did you even look at what the other 541's were going for and what shape they were in ??????

$299 REALLY ??????

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

Bikerray....

Thank you!

 

[bikerray]

OOOOH !!! They added an oil can and lowered the price to $250.

WELL That Oil Can CERTAINLY makes up the difference in worth and price.

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

Let me go place my bid right now!

That oil can,has to be worth, what? $400.00 or so??