Hoover Convertible

[bimmer740]

I found this machine on Ebay, and I was wondering if anyone can help me out. These machines are just a little before my time so Im not familiar with all the different models. My grandfather had one that was very similar to this machine. His was blue, with a blue and white floral-ish bag. His had a more box shaped hood and thinner head light. It also had a silver sticker across the front on the machine that said hoover convertible. I think it also said "Elite Estate" model. I believe his machine was from 1979-1980. My grandparents had it up until a year ago, it worked fine and was in good condition, but they bought a new upright with attachments and threw the Hoover away without telling me! Didn't even ask for a vac recommendation and bought an $89 bagless kenmore! I could have killed him! I wanted that vacuum, since I remember using it at his house when I was only 2 or 3 years old. It was a good machine and it had a great roar from the motor.
Thanks for the help!
-Steven

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Retro-Y...QQihZ015QQcategoryZ115993QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[myhooverco]

You are talking about the U4103 from 1977. I think these went until 1980 or so. Some were metal based and some had the plastic bases. These were very new machines in that they used the new front conversion tools and had the new square handles that replaced the round handles which dated back to the 1920's (the older round handles were used on the cheaper models). These machines also used the new top fill type A bags. Mine also says Convertible Elite. The one on ebay is a cheaper model and uses the "ranger" hood which I was never very fond of. These blue machines are out there and were highly promoted at the time. It was the "A" line cleaner and was sold in high numbers. I am sure that you will find one some day! I hope that this helps some.

--Tom

 

[bimmer740]

Convertible

Hi Tom!
Thats the one!!! Your machine is nicer than my grandfathers was but his was well used for 20+ years. I would love to get my hands on one! I hope i will. Were they good cleaners? I thought my grandfathers one was a good machine but i didnt have much to compare it to.
Thanks!
Steven

 

[swingette]

Were they good cleaners?

Excellent. since the design was based on the same classic Convertible that debuted in 1957, you couldnt go wrong. superb cleaning on carpets and could take hard use. the only downsides to this machine were the new slide-in, type A bag holder and the motor was a little faster/louder. the bag mounting had a tendency to not seal perfectly. and for noise-phobes like me, motor noise is something to consider. i think many Convertibles like the one pictured above are still being used daily today. Hoover question: is it true that the more powerfull motors introduced in the 70s made the old C bags explode?

 

[myhooverco]

I have never had a C bag explode. I use a 1969 Hoover Convertible 1070 with a C bag. My Convertible is suped up with a motor from a newer Convertible such as this one. It is definitely more powerful and has a different pitch. I use a wooden brush roll from CWP and my little Convertible cleans like a Concept One. So I highly doubt that a C bag would explode unless it was completely filled???? Even then I doubt that it would happen...anyone else have any ideas?