Hoover Elite & Metro Data-Vac Habitat Finds Today

[vintagevaclover]

I found both of these awesome new toys when I decided to take a ride to some thrift shops 30 minutes before closing lol. I found both of these and they were an excellent way to spend my day off! The Data-Vac looks like it was never even used! The Elite however, was VERY dusty but otherwise in great shape. I grabbed them both for $7.30! I went home and used the Data-Vac to start cleaning up the Elite, then I removed the bag, washed then deodorized it while I gave the machine a very thorough cleaning out and then a while-down with some Liquid Gold. It shines and runs like new now and smells awesome too! The only thing I need is a headlight bulb.

 

[super-sweeper]

Great finds! That model was the first Elite I ever bought, was a phenomenal vacuum! 

 

[blknblu]

MetroVac .. fond memories
Nice motto also: "Deliberately made better in the U.S.A."
Based right in Oakland, New Jersey

they have a nice history page

an excerpt:
"Since 1939, the Metropolitan Vacuum Cleaner Co., Inc. has evolved into a multidivisional corporation. From a small retail store front in the Bronx, NY, rebuilding and selling vacuum cleaners. Metro is now a diversified multi-unit, manufacturing facility, producing amongst other products; Data-Vac Computer Cleaning Systems to Air Force Dog Dryers."

 - See more at: https://www.metrovacworld.com/about#sthash.UIMRuGdU.dpuf



http://https//www.metrovacworld.com/about

 

[delaneymeegan]

Sounds like someone had fun. I could do that kind of thing everyday.

 

[vintagevaclover]

I bought the new headlight bulb today! Its as good as new now with the exception of the few scuffs it has on the base.

 

[hooverman2121]

I love the old Elites, even though they felt kinda cheap you really couldn't kill them!  My boyfriend found two dumped by our neighbor's house at our old apartment once with "Free" signs and a pack of bags.  Both were in decent shape... Cleaned both of them up and gave one to a friend who needed a basic, sturdy vacuum.


 


I love my Metro Vac'n'Blow, which I use extensively on my mobile car detailing runs!


 


Have fun!


 


Rich

 

[vintagevaclover]

HooverMan2121,

I love the older Elites too. I also like the ones that don't have the on-board tools all over them. This one has a place to attach a hose but that's all.

 

[hooverman2121]

I noticed that but saw no tool caddy.  I prefer the look as well as it's not so cluttered, but it's always nice to have the option to use tools in a pinch!

 

[hooverman2121]

Bah, got me thinking of all my old Hoovers now . Giving me memories of all the Elites I collected over the years only to have my mom get rid of the majority of them once I moved out.  Funny how parents "don't know" where things went when you come home to visit them haha.


 


I still have the 300 that I grew up with in the 90s though!  It's used in her basement which is finished, so at least it's in a warm, dry home

 

[vintagevaclover]

I know exactly how you feel lol. Several 80s plastic-based Convertibles and several others, one was a 60s Eureka F&G upright, I had were "misplaced" when I moved out too:/ I've since replaced them but still... Lol.

 

[hooverman2121]

Well at least you were able to replace a lot of your machines


 


Of the Elites/Elite-based machines I have now, I have three... My childhood friend 300, a Soft & Light, and a hard body Dimension II.


 


I wanna get more Convertibles but my better ha<span style="font-size: 12pt;">lf, who has the patience of a saint, says we are running out of room, and if I store them at my mom's place who knows what will happen to them...</span>

 

[vintagevaclover]

I used to have a navy blue Soft&Light, I gave it to a friend though. The one in this thread is the only one I have at my house right now but a have a Hunter green 90s Elite with the on-board tools at my beach house. I would definitely recommend Convertibles, they're beautiful in their simplicity, easy to work on, and they clean amazingly. I'd say get 1 or 2 metal-based & 1 or 2 plastic-based ones to compare. Sadly I too have had to cut back do to lack of room:/ I can usually find a spot in a closet to fit one more though lol

 

[hooverman2121]

I know what you mean!  Unfortunately, my problem isn't necessarily room, it's just my better half doesn't want to be surrounded by vacuum cleaners.  I keep telling him we have enough room, but he says there has to be a balance lol.  It's fine though, as he makes up for it so many in other ways that I'm willing to compromise my collection to a few select machines to our place.


 


The Elite 300 is from my childhood and is safe in my mom's finished basement. Notice my improvised bag clip repair using a bolt and nut as the top clip snapped off after 20+ years.


 


The Soft & Light is one that my mom doesn't know what happened to... or does she.  That junky Bissell next to it is the one I traded my friend's mom for because she'd rather have a bagless machine that will last two weeks, and didn't realize what a good machine the Soft & Light was.


 


Found the Dimension II by my dumpster at my old apartment complex.  It cleaned up really well, plus I checked out the motor and it was actually pretty clean.  Only missing the crevice tool and upholstery tool.  This thing is LOUD - that is one of my few complaints with these machines is that they roar, but they're decent vacuum cleaners for what they are.


 


One final one with the three of my North Canton Hoovers (the ones I have at my apartment at least).  I miss the quality of the US-made machines, but alas, good things must come to an end at some point.

 

[super-sweeper]

Lucky you, Hooverman, she doesn't know what she's missing! 

 

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Nice little Hoover

'family' there.

 

[hooverman2121]

Vintage, more pics, more pics! Haha.

Supersweeper, oh yes, I'm very aware of that hahaha, her loss, my gain!

Hi John, my little family would've been bigger if my mom hadn't gotten rid of my other machines

I had four or five Elite/Legacy models (including a 430 exactly like the one I got one Christmas) that needed all sorts of work, donated by my local vac shop but they all "disappeared..."

That along with all sorts of parts vacs including an orange Dial-a-Matic, two convertibles, and a Spirit which were dumped in the shed then gotten rid of.

 

[vintagevaclover]

I have plenty more pics!!! Which machines would you like to see? The dark green one you pictured looks pretty much the same the one at my beach house too

 

[hooverman2121]

Anything haha maybe your favorites. I just love seeing other people's machines, and their collections.

 

[centralvacs1928]

I do believe that's the model from Mrs. Doubtfire!

It always drove me crazy seeing it being used as an upright, with the hose plugged in. Anyone else remember?