Hoover Convertible Hood Type

[vacuumfreak]

Hey guys, I have a question regarding the Hoover Convertibles. I was just wondering if anyone could tell me how long Hoover used the hood type in the picture, and if possible the year that they started using them, and the year they stopped.

Thanks!
Daniel

 

[eurekaprince]

I have to say that this is my least favourite Convertible hood. I don't what Hoover called it, but it is a very weird design. It's almost as if it was designed to have a "headlight" version, but I have never seen a headlight version. There were so many sleeker hoods that I really don't understand the design here. I really don't mean to offend any of you who love this line, but I don't like the hood design at all. It all seems so "much ado about nothing."

Did Hoover have a name for this kind of Convertible hood?

 

[brandon_w_t]

I agree. This was the basic design for hoovers entry and commercial line until the 1010 series.

I do find them to be quite unique in design. Not the most attractive thing, but unique in itself. Not my favorite hoover design, but it has its place in history.


I love my 344, 33, and 31 (which I would kill for an original bag for)



PS the vacuum in the picture is either a 334 or 344 commercial convertible. My childhood machine

 

[brandon_w_t]

1957 was the first year by the way. On the 31 special.

It may have been called the "special hood" because it was the special model convertibles that had them first.

 

[vacuumfreak]

Thanks for the help! I actually like the hood I don't know what it is about it, but I just like it! Hopefully I will get a Convertible, similar to the one in the picture, in my collection eventually

Daniel

 

[eurekaprince]

Thanks for the info, Brandon.

Wow - way back in 1957? Who woulda thunk it? Can't believe this style was on the market at the same time as those beautiful sleek hoods with the headlight......

 

[brandon_w_t]

Yes.

The old hoods actually were made of a similar material to the 65s hoods. They warped from the heat of the motor. Not quite as 3 as the later series.


Here is a picture of my sad sad 65 base, and model 31. You can see the hoods are both warped in a similar way.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

You're absolutely correct

on everything. That excellent specimen of the HOOVER Convertible, (commercial)was the "alternative" to the convertible with the headlight. As you know, the 57 was the "debut" of the Convertible. Indeed, they warped like crazy, until HOOVER changed the formula for the hood. Every hood design had a no light option. With the exception to redesigning the base of the hood, (to fit the plastic base), you can find that hood on the last of the Convertibles, (ie: Runabout). Not the nicest design, but, that commercial is one of my few, remaining "must haves".

 

[joejoe83]

I also like those shapes of hoods on the convertible. They also had a similar design in the 1980's. Love the colors too. Here is two pics of my convertibles with the rounded hood from the 80's

 

[joejoe83]

Another pic

 

[guardsman69]

guys the model 31 1957 began with this hood and ended in 1978 with the last line of metal based convertible specials in bright orange with model u4095 with its matching wide bottom fill bag......this hood is visually striking by henry dryfuss...retooled in 1981-82 the powder blue u4171 brought the hoover convertible special back with a matching baby blue bag....up until 1993 win the u4595 rs convertible was gone....and maytag/hoovers clock began to tic.....as for its design according to arnie deal hoover designer and stylist ....its shape though visually stunning was to provide the operator the lowest passible hood and to allow the vac to get into and under the higher leg furniture of the period ....my moms 1966 pearl grey marine blue 334 a year older than tom andersons later model 334 in tan breezed und the 1960s furniture and sectional sofa with out issue....that hoover started my hoover career