Hoover Convertible Model U4001

[myhooverco]

Here are all three of the Hoover Convertible model U4001 in a row. I just received the gold one on the right today from ebay. It is in great shape and has seen very little use. The grey one on the left was a gift from Buffalo Joe a few years back. The orange one in the middle was a gift from Jeff Parker. Thanks to both of you guys for these machines. I really like having the whole set.

Now why these machines? These were Hoover's first really price leading uprights. They were sold through discount stores such as Kmart starting in 1973. My engineer friend who has more than 30 years with Hoover said that they just used up leftover plastic and that is why the model never changed just the color. This was their attempt at making a unique model for one store chain. Jeff correct me if I am wrong but these sold for $49.99 at Kmart. Sometimes the 1031 cleaning tools would be thrown in the deal on sale. There were a lot of these made. I have seen very few. They are only one speed rear conversion cleaners with snap bags and very short cords. However they beat as they sweep as they clean. I just wanted to share my recent aquisition. Again thanks to Buffalo Joe and Jeff Parker for helping me out!

--Tom

 

[vinvac]

Tom

What great machines and I love the history as well. Is the Hoover logo metal or just the stick on label.

I did not know that Hoover made the convertable in only a one speed motor. Tool suction would not have been very good.

Morgan

 

[swingette]

i love this set TOO! i remember when you got the two-tone taupe, thats a SWEET Convertible, i cant believe you think its ugly.

 

[spats]

Those are nice!

 

[myhooverco]

Morgan...

Those are stick on foil Hoover logos! How is that for an answer? They (Hoover) stopped putting the good logos on the Convertible series sometime during the run of the model 70 Convertible in 1965 or so. These were the bottom of the line machines. They were basically made to get someone into the store and then talk them into a better model. Most people did not use the tools anyway. I do not see a lot of difference between the two speed and single speed models in terms of cleaning ability or tool suction. These were really only meant to do light above the floor cleaning. Hoover got good at making single speed machines as the 70's wore on. In the 80's it became even more popular on the Convertible series. The high speed became "Power Surge".

Thanks for the comments. I thought someone might like to see this unusual Hoover set.

--Tom

David...the two tone model is growing on me!

 

[constellation86]

Very nice

I love the orange one and how base is a darker color than the hood and matches the bag. Are there any other models with this paint scheme?
Nicholas

 

[luxg]

Tom those are beautiful machines. Thanks so much for sharing them with us. That orange one sure is an "eye catcher"

 

[hoover1060]

U4001

To my knowledge this was the first single speed model Convertible, and it was exclusive to Kmart.
This was only a "sale" machine, you could buy it with a 1031 set of tools for $49.99...I agree the rear conversion suction with the one speed motor would have been pathetic.

The colors of Tom's machines from left to right are:
Seal griege medium and taupe, Copper and Taupe, and persian gold and taupe.

The U4001 ran from late 1972 thru 1975

 

[myhooverco]

Thanks Jeff for the dates on these machines! I like the story you told me about finding different colored U4001 machines at different Kmarts. It had to cross you mind that how many versions are out there if they can make three totally different color schemes in one model? As of now, I only know of these three. I hope there are no more out there as I am fast running out of space for them all.

--Tom

 

[seamusuk]

Different Colour-Same model...

Hey Tom/Jeff and all

Firstly Tom those are 3 very nice machines- is the cord the same length on all of them?(same as on the 1010?)

As Tom and Jeff will know we are much more used to this concept this side of the pond,I gather its pretty unusual on US machines?.

Im not lucky enough to own one, but our first Convertible/Senior the 652(US 65) is 375W single speed. As you can imagine the tool suction is cr@p lol!!!.

Im guessing this was also the first model to have a U prefixed model number?(Ours was the U4002 Ranger).

I love the Orange version- im guessing the reason it looks a bit "odd" is it has a lighter colour hood than base, and the base matches the bag not the hood- are there any other models like this?.

Seamus

 

[dial-a-nap]

Those are nice looking! Snap-closure bags I think? The two-tone machine is sharp looking, wouldn't it have been fun to work at the factory? All the different colors and styles coming through the years...

 

[thunderhexed]

That's the one!

the gold model is the model my mother had when i was VERY young... she said I used to sit on the front of it and ride it while she vacuumed. I remember she had the attachment set that she used with it alot. I distinctly remember being more impressed by granny's Kirby Dual Sanitronic 80 though. My parents ended up trading the Hoover in on a Kirby Heritage one day when A lady came by to do an in home demonstration. I was SO EXCITED that we finally had a Kirby. My parents still have it to this day but it doesn't get used that much anymore since mom had now gotten herself a Dyson. Funny how, when I was a kid, I wasn't that impressed by the Convertible, but now I wish I could get my hands on that same model that mom had... Beautiful find.. enjoy it!

 

[hoover1060]

Seamus,
The cord should be the same on all three machines, 16 feet which is the same as the 1010.
As to colors, I remember thinking the orange model was odd looking back when they were available. The Kmart that was close to where I grew up sold the gold model, while the Kmart near my grandmother's house sold the orange one. Now I wonder if they may have even mixed the machines around so you may have been surprised when you opened the box!

I have a gold U4001 that I found on a rather infameous street on the northwest side of Chicago. Mine now has a matching gold bumper on it, mainly because Jack chewed the original off when he was a puppy.
Yes Greg, they are all snap bags. Nothing fancy about the U4001!

 

[74simon]

Very nice

... the copper & taupe one particularly. Interesting that the first U4XXX was a special line.

Hoover in Europe did something similar with the 6525E series, which were built alongside the later full hood U4002/14 models. They had the later European handle bail, and were available in a least four bag and hood colours (Dark blue, dark green, brown and yellow), depending on what store sold them. I suspect that they may have also been the first Senior type cleaner with a plastic chassis - I think production commenced around 1974 or 1975.

It's always nice to see your collection Tom, but it does make me grateful to be a UK collector - much less space is needed to assemble a collection of our market models!