Hoover Concept II Power Drive Model U3303

[gj3476]

Hello fellow vacuum lovers,I want to show you one of my vintage vacuums of my collection,this here is a Hoover concept 2 Power Drive that I got at goodwill for $23.80 back in June,it works really great and when I test it out,the lightbulbs weren't working and the old disposable bag smelled like a dog,so after I payed for it, I threw out the bag and put a fresh new bag when I got home and I was really excited because I've seen these only on the internet and it was my first time seeing one in person,enjoy these pics.

 

[gj3476]

Here's the Helpmate hand vac,another interesting feature on this vacuum,it makes a rattling noise,I need to take a look see another day.

 

[gj3476]

It also features the 2 speed motor and power drive,and of course the back.

 

[gj3476]

Here's the sticker,it shows the model number and serial number too,anyone know what month and year this one was made in,the serial number is 00032488,maybe '83,'84,'85,or '86?

 

[gj3476]

Here she is all fired up in action!

 

[gj3476]

That's all! I hope all of you Concept lovers enjoy this piece of treasure.

 

[gj3476]

One more thing,I do need to try to find a dust brush and crevice tool for the helpmate and forgot to mention that the very next week after I brought this, I got new lightbulbs at a local vac shop.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

It's to early to code the serial number. Only Hoover after 1987 can be coded. On those it will be first two digits will be month followed by two digit year Example 0489 would be April 1989.

For this that's not possible. I can tell you however that this model was around 1984-85. It is the second model of Concept II (Grey being the first.) Also it has a lower end sister. It's basically the same vacuum but non self-propelled.
I believe the colors are rust brown and pale honey. If you have a way to check the dirt finder search on this web site you can look up the complete Concept list I posted a few years ago and it will give you exact specs of every model. A very cool read.

 

[gj3476]

Sounds good,thank you,I'm sometimes good at serial numbers on vacuums but this one was a little tricky.

 

[tolivac]

Have one like this-mine has the variable speed electronically controlled motor.It also has the hand vacuum.Came from the Greenville Sew&Vac trade in pile-the machine is green and in really good shape.

 

[gj3476]

Tolivac,I would love to try to find a concept II electronic model one day,maybe either Goodwill or ebay.

 

[tolivac]

I ran into mine strictly by chance--someone traded it in to the vac place for a new vacuum.Try your local vac place-they just might have one in the trade in pile-or your local Kirby place!I like other machines better-but this one was just too good to pass by.

 

[broomvac]

tolivac,

Wow, a green Concept II Electronic? That sounds pretty sweet. I have never heard of an Electronic in that color scheme. Do you have any pictures? I'd be very curious to see what that looks like.

Thanks

broomvac

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Slate green set

 

[broomvac]

I suspected the green was slate green. I've actually seen a slate green Concept II in person, but it was not an Electronic model. For $30, I passed it up in favor of a Concept II that is actually the same model as Gj3476's, for a sixth the price. Of course, the one I bought wasn't as nice as the one he/she has. I've since ditched that Concept II and replaced it with my Concept I U3317.

Funny thing about Hoover Concepts. Their noisiness drives me crazy, but I've had more Concepts than any other vacuums. My list includes:

1 Concept Two (Unknown model, Power Drive, same as OP's)
1 Concept One (U3317, Red/Cream, Power Drive, 7.8 amp w/power surge, cord winder, red striped cloth bag, Scent Holder)
1 Concept One (Unknown model, Cream, Green striped vinyl bag, Power Drive, 5.6 amp 2 Speed, cord winder)
1 Concept One (Unknown model, Blue/Cream, Power Drive, 7.8 amp w/power surge, no cord winder, blue plaid cloth bag)
1 Concept One (Unknown model, gray, can't remember much else)
1 Concept One (U3103, Blue/Cream, Blue striped vinyl bag, Power Drive, 5.6 amp 2 speed, cord winder)

I may have had others, but I can't remember.

The only ones I currently possess are the U3317, which has been restored, and the U3103, which is about to be torn down for parts. Really, the U3317 is the only one I've decided to "keep." All the others were purchased for parts for just a couple bucks a piece.

Below I have posted a picture of my Concept II before it was parted out and a picture of my fully restored U3317.

I enjoyed seeing your very nice Concept II, Gj3475! Take care of it...parts are hard to come by unless you do what I did: buy whole machines for parts.

broomvac

 

[kirbyvertibles]

In my pic I don't actually have the green electronic model but I wanted to show what it looked like. The electronic is one of the very few Concepts I still need to find for my collection. I believe it's the only Concept II I don't have.

I too have parted many Concepts. I had so freaking many at one time that were extras from when I had a store and I was buying truck loads of trade ins from a Kirby and Tri-Star dealer. After I pulled out the best of every model I didn't already have I parted the rest. I felt VERY guilty at first but then I thought oh heck they are still a dime a dozen and no one is going to want to ship these and they are more valuable to me for parts for my collection to keep mine going forever.

 

[gj3476]

Don't worry broomvac, the concept II will be taken care for good! And all the rest of my vacuum collection!

 

[tolivac]

This is the Concept 2 I have.It is the grey one.