Hoover Convertible U4047

[myhooverco]

Here is my latest aqusition, a Hoover Convertible U4047. These are both the same model but they came in a slightly different color. The one on the left (my newest addition) is the later version in "bittersweet", a darker orange. The one on the left is the earlier version in "tangerine". This model ran from 1973 to 1975. They were all one speed cleaners and were a promotional model which meant they could be sold rather cheap somewhere in the $40 range. Stores would have held promotions for this machine such as giving the customer a set of 1031 cleaning tools with the purchase of a new U4047. This model also has only the half bumper, no handle grip, and a snap close bag. I just love these groovy colors!

--Tom

 

[dial-a-matic]

Nice Find!

Nice find but what teal colored no-headlight snap bag models are thier. I would like to fing what the model# on my paps convertible was

-a-

 

[seamusuk]

Very nice......

Hey Tom

Those are very smart- I see the cord changed colour as well (assuming both are original??).

Jeff told me the 707 had a couple of changes during the run as well- the cord changed from Grey to taupe?? and the wheels from Dark Seal to Taupe also??

Seamus

 

[swingette]

the tangerine colored one is esp nice. good to see you were able to use one of those vinyl bags you have! if i may "borrow" your thread for a bit Tom, i have a question. i have never seen this model before. would this have been a discount model as well? LOVE the color. vibrant alternative to the somber-hued 713(?), IMO.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=160083450945&rd=1&rd=1

 

[myhooverco]

Dave...

This is the deluxe version of the U4047. It is in the same production time too. This one has all of the best features of the top line cleaners except that it has the snap bag closure instead of the zipper. This is a very pretty machine that is relatively rare. It was overshadowed by the full hood models that were introduced in 1973. The first machine in this "blue" was the 68, followed by the 70 in 1965, then the 719 in 1969, and then this machine. These machines all had a pretty hue of blue.

--Tom

 

[myhooverco]

Seamus...the one on the left has an original cord off of an earlier 70's upright. The one on the right is all original. Yes they went from the white on the first 65's to the darker brown on the 1966 1060. From there they went a lighter brown with each new set. So by 1975 they lightened them back up to white cords. Also the photo does not show the colors of the hoods or the cords too acurately. The cords look similar in real life! The hoods are dramatically different.

--Tom

 

[hygiene903]

Congratulations

on another great find, Tom! Love that orange! Typical 70's, everything was brightly colored then.
Jeff

 

[williamr1248]

Tom,
My parents had a model 33 for a very short time. What is the difference between the model 33 and this model? Except for the color they look vary similar. I remember they had the dusting tools that included a floor brush.

 

[myhooverco]

Williamr1248...the lavender 33 was about 10 years older. There are many differences. The one pictured here has four height adjustments for different carpets. The U4047 was also a one speed vac instead of a two speed like the 33. There were differences in the sound of the motors too. Hoover had cheapened the motors in the 1970's. The 33 had a white Hoover embossed cord and a red switch. These items were not found on this model. They both had the rear conversion for the tools. It sounds as if your parents had the deluxe 6950 tool set that included a floor brush, telescopic wand, crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery brush etc. The 33 was also known as the "Special" versus this one known simply as the "Convertible". The 33 was a very pretty machine.

Here is my 33 Convertible Special...thanks to Jeff Parker for this beauty! It is one of the only 33's that I have seen that does not have a "faded to grey" bag. The photo does not show the rich shade of lavender that was used. The original instruction booklet was scented with lavender when new.

--Tom

 

[compactelectra]

Hoover Model 33

My folks had a 33 as well. Boy that machine brings back great memories. They purchased it at Polk Bros in Chicago. Isn't the story about this machine that the color was done in honor of Agnes Moorehead who just loved lavender? My 33 is from Jeff Parker as well. His folks had a 33 that lasted for years. Thanks.

Fred

 

[myhooverco]

Fred...

I too have heard the story about Agnes Moorehead. I cannot confirm it. I still like the color scheme of the machine...Jeff's mom USED her 33 for YEARS and it was still like new. Jeff has the machine in his collection. They were very well built machines.

--Tom

 

[convertible68]

I have to admit, I love the sound of the 50's-early 60's Convertibles. There's definitely more of a "whine" present on startup than there is with the 70's machines...seems to bear a striking resemblance to the 60-series "pre-Convertibles" in my opinion. My 65, 31, and 68 sound completely different than my 589, for example.

 

[luxg]

Fred, that sure brings back memories, I remember Polk Bros. well. Use to beg to go there and one year for my birthday my folks took me.

 

[swingette]

The original instruction booklet was scented with lavender w

Ha ha, funny. Be careful, someone might believe that. (Ur kidding, right?) David

 

[ian88]

Why should he be kidding? sounds like a harmless marketing gimmick ;p

my mum would like it for one..lol

Ian

 

[williamr1248]

Thanks Tom!
I had no idea there were that many changes! I do remember the red switch. Ours was short lived because my father complained about it making the house smell like dust. They replaced it with a new Air-Way which she is still using. I did buy her one of the first power drive Hoover's which is still going strong today. Thanks for the information. I do remember that the machine did sound quite different from later Hoover Convertables. Now I want to look up the instruction book!

 

[hoover1060]

Model 33

Yes my parents bought one new in December of 1963 for their new house, which was completed in January of 1964. We also had a set of 3250 tools.
Mom's 33 was well used, its first "overhaul" came when I was about 9(1973) new cord, outer bag, switch, and handle bail. Mom broke the bail on it several times that I remember.
I restored mom's 33 back to what it originally would have been about 1994, using two junk 33's that I had pulled from the trash. She used it until about the end of 2000, when it was replaced by a much lighter and easier to push Hoover Elite Soft & Light.
36 years was pretty good for an appliance at the hands of my mother!

Model 33 was made from March of 1962 to March of 1964, the colors are Dusky Lavender and Pearl white with silver trim. IT was the only cleaner Hoover made in the lavender too, kinda unusual for a company that used colors all thru their lines.
The 33 was the 2nd biggest selling Convertible in the 1960' the biggest seller was model 69 with 515,000+ produced, and the 33 comes in close 2nd with 498,000 produced.

 

[myhooverco]

No really...the introduction in the spring of 1962 had lavender scented instuction booklets! It was part of the "unveiling". I am not sure when this practice stopped. I read it in the IBAISIAC from the spring of 1962. So yes...this did happen!

--Tom

 

[williamr1248]

model 33

You guys have perked my interest in the model 33. My parents bought theirs in October 1963 because they had new wall-to-wall carpet put through the entire house. They bought it from L.S. Ayres department store and paid $69.95 plus $19.95 for the tools.She hated the color but bought the model 33 because it cost less. I came home from school for a scout meeting and was so excited when I saw the new Hoover box in the back of the car!Is it possible that the tools came with a storage bag or I may be thinking of the tool storage bag that they have with the Hoover dia-a-matic. She traded the model 33 the next spring for a new 88 Air-Way. Thanks for the information on the model 33.