Hoover Baby 103 on ebay

[jimbeckwith]

There's a vintage Hoover 103 on ebay...looks to have a Robbins & Myers brass-era motor but it has a replacement closed top "Hoover Special" bag with scissor-style bag hanger and a 541/early 543 style handle, which I do not think is correct for this model. It seems kind of pricey, at $224.95, but I just thought I'd pass this info along to anyone who might be interested...

 

[truckerx]

Hoover Baby 103

It appears to me that the Ebay machine you mention is a Hoover "Special" which indicates that it is not an original machine but a Hoover factory rebuild with many parts belonging to later model machines. From what I can see, the bag, bag hanger, switch and cord are improper and not original to the machine but later model replacements. One would have to find some original parts to put it right which could be tantamount to looking for hen's teeth.
Kirby is famous for doing this. That's why we often find older model "Rebuilt" Kirbys with bastardized, mismatched trim colors. It's what the dealer or factory might have on hand at that time, barring any aesthetic consideration.

 

[truckerx]

Hoover Baby 103

Jim - I agree. Although the machine appears to be in good condition, I believe for what it is and what it might cost to make it original, if at all possible, it's waay to pricey.

 

[brandon_w_t]

A hoover 103 special may not be a rebuild. The original ID plate did read special on it from the factory. They later designated the Special to be for factory-rebuild machines sold as a cheaper alternative to the "new" models.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Great cleaners!

They'll last forever. I try to imagine how many homes they were in, how hard it was to save for them, etc.

 

[truckerx]

The problem, as I see it, is that the most recent patent date on the ID plate is 1918. The handle, bag and many other parts are of a much later vintage similar to what would have been used on a 541 or 543.

 

[truckerx]

There is no mention of the word "Special" on the original ID plate, only on the later model replacement bag. The machine is a 103 in 543's clothing.

 

[truckerx]

Hoover Baby 103 on Ebay

Well....someone paid $227.50 for it.