guys, guys, guys...this Convertible is from the Hoover line from 1975. It was the top line model. It was part of the second set of "full" hood models from Hoover. The style was the same but a lot of changes made their debut on these machines in '75. First this model has the newer "high performance" motor so it sounds different than the old Convertibles. It still used the metal fan though. It also featured a larger foot pedal to release the handle and a new "window" in the top of the hood so that you could easily see what type of carpet the machine was set to. This enabled you to use your toe to select the carpet height. The name "Elite" was used on the top line models for Hoover at this time. Even the top line model of Celebrity canister used "Elite". This particular Convertible was the last of them to use the old rear conversion. The next set of Convertibles that came out in 1977 were called "Elite" on the top line models...some even said "Estate". The 1977 models used the top fill A bags and had the newer square handles with the front conversion for the tools. Yes they did make the plastic base Convertibles in the late 1970's...these were the full hood top fill models from late in the run. These Convertibles from 1977 started as metal but ended the run as plastic. In 1988 the "Elite" name returned but on a whole new line of cleaners completely different from the Convertible line (56% fewer parts too than the Convertible!).
This gold model in question is a real beauty. I would like to have it for my collection as it is the only one I have left to find from this year. The sticker on the front is in great shape. The 1975 models are some of the last good Convertibles built. I lose interest after they went plastic and I am not much of a fan of the front conversion. However, the Convertibles always cleaned carpet well!
--Tom
