Hoover Z

[bimmer740]

I saw this model on Hoovers web site just before it came out and there was a special video clip about the machine. I also saw them on sale in Target. What happened to this model? Why was it discontinued? It seemed like a good idea but why did it go off the market so quickly? It was the most expensive Hoover upright, I would think the company would want to save it and keep it on the market longer. Just wondering if anyone has some info
-Steven

 

[tolivac]

I have seen the Hoover "Z" vacs at Best Buy-last time I saw one-it was on special sale for $240-the "White" colored one.The machines didn't become popular because of their VERY HEAVY weight and just awkward.I tried both of the models at Best Buy and walked away-pushing one is like pushing a wheelbarrow full of bricks.And lifting it -its got to be the HEAVIEST consumer vacuum.They almost need to provide a forklift with the thing.also the "Bagless " design turned me off.Maybe if they made a "bagged" version?The LED headlights on the more deluxe "blue" model were pretty neat.Forget the model numbers.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Last I heard...

They weren't discontinued...

 

[tolivac]

I wonder what Whirlpool or whomever gets Hoover will do with the design?-Either continue it or discontinue?Will check on the "Z" again when I go to BB this weekend.Its been there for a LONG time.also Sears sells these machines-wonder how theirs are doing.I don't think the BB in my area has ordered anymore of the "Z"s for stock.One of the vac dealers here had one traded in for a Sebo upright-the dealer sold it to a church for $40.

 

[frkirby511]

All you have to do is look at it...

In my humble opinion, it's a contraption! When I first saw the "Z" in Target last summer I was dumfounded. Who would clean with this and how? It says AWKWARD all over it. What in the world was Hoover thinking?

The earlier Hoover cleaners had style, elegance and grace --both functionally and asthetically. Especially those from the mid to late 50's like the Citation, the Constellation and then the Convertable -- they looked like all the parts belonged in a complete whole. And they were very maneuverable.

Seems like they were trying to create a cleaner with the "Z" that would be both upright and canister They would do better to do a retro Convertable in stainless steel to match the new Constellation. A combination like that would be asthetically pleasing and it would be more functional to use. Because even the Windtunnels are bulky and difficult to maneuver; not at all like the elegance of a Hoover Convertable.

 

[bimmer740]

Hoover Z

I think that the idea behind it is good, to combine both canister and upright, but it does look weird and it seems like it would be akward to use. I would love to see a modern Convertible. That would be something to clean with! I had a Windtunnel self propelled, and i returned it. It was so bulky and soo difficult to manuever! And not to mention, the thing was so loud that by the time you were done cleaning the house with it you could go deaf. I don't understand why they cant make their machines to be quiet or at least bring them to a more bearable noise level. It blows my mind that such a huge and successful company can make a machine that is such a flop like the Z. Don't they do research in design and get feed back from test units? Im sure they did but in my opinion some of their current machines are poorly designed for easy cleaning.
Steven

 

[swingette]

i was dismayed as well at the Z. it doesnt take a focus group to realise it is clumsy! from the awkward cord storage to the revolving pleated filter... dont let it happen to you!

 

[henrydreyfuss]

Yeah and don't get me started on the "self cleaning" filter... what a joke...

The Z was quiet and fun to use, but it had so many flaws. It was a cheaply made monster

 

[ohio_tuec]

Ah, but not cheap to the consumer!

 

[dysonman]

What a Monstrosity

I think the Hoover engineers were smoking something wicked when they came up with the idea for the "Z". And then, to get it past the marketing department, what kind of drugs are they doing in North Canton? Didn't anyone, from the board of directors on down, say to the engineers "what were you thinking?"

Last I heard, the Hoover Company took all the "Z"'s that were returned (and literally EVERY Z was returned to the store) and sold them to the Princess Cruise Lines to be used as anchors for the cruise ships. Would only take two or three to stop a ship load of Kathy Lee impersonators.

 

[ohio_tuec]

If this is true, it's quite possible that someday the Hoover Z will be as rare and coveted as the 1937 Air-Way Dirtmaster. I'm sure there will be someone out there who appreciates the aesthetics of the machine. It's too bad Hoover won't recondition some and sell them at a lower price point, like Oreck does.

 

[dysonman]

DirtMasteR

I didn't realize that the DirtMasteR was all that rare. I have one and so does Stan Kann. So does Mike Pletcher, and several others in the club. The difference between the DirtMasteR and the Hoover Z is that the DirtMasteR actually works PROPERLY and does indeed clean, unlike the behemoth Hoover Z. It wouldn't bother me one bit to see every Hoover Z end up in the Crusher. Along with the Regina Housekeepers and all the Orecks (which actually work Better than the Hoover Z).
I bought a Hoover Z at Sears (it had been sold and returned twice) for $75. I used it once, laughed at it with a bunch of fellow club members (what a Joke), then gave it to someone I didn't like.

 

[ohio_tuec]

DirtMasteR

I have always thought the DirtMasteR was one of the rarest vintage vacs of all time, since it too had a short production run. I have never seen a DirtMasteR for sale on eBay, and only a handful of the twin-motor AirWays. I have several straight-suction models and one twin-motor in my collection but sadly, it's useless because the seller didn't do such a good job packing it, and the swivel coupler (which seems like some sort of pot metal) is broken. He did reimburse me for what I paid, so it wasn't a total loss. I would love to have a DirtMasteR in my collection.

 

[74simon]

In the UK

We had the Hoover The One introduced in 2004, which sounds very like the UK equivalent of the Z. It was ripped to shreds by Which? magazine (our equivalent to the Consumer's Association), for picking up only 34% of dust from carpets, and 5% from hard floors!

Since then, they've developed a reputation for numerous faults - the handle stay fails, the hose nozzle fractures, the wheels fall off, and the filter pops out. And if the filter stays in, the cleaner overheats and cuts out. It's since been replaced by modified (and much improved) versions.

I just think it's funny that both Hoover Europe and Hoover USA have both produced duds at about the same time, even though they are no longer connected!

http://householdappliances.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/prl_10394649/146501.html

 

[vintagehoover]

Reminds me of the failings of the Turbomaster/Turbopower Freedom Permabag system! Another misguided attempt at modernisation...

 

[swingette]

DirtMasteR/rare vacuum

of course, rare is relative. you could say the DM is rare, certainly more rare than a Hoover model 61. although most Hoover collectors have a 61, some might say ITS rare since you cant easily find one on ebay or a thrift store.

 

[dysonman]

DirtMasteR

The DirtMasteR was made in two different versions, and they made it for almost four years. It cost less than a twin motor (Super Chief) model. It was the VERY FIRST twin fan upright in the world. Singer would later copy that feature. It was also the VERY FIRST side mounted hose for attachments (Hoover would copy that feature 2 years after the DirtMasteR launch for the 150).

Air-Way would have continued to make that machine, except for the fact that they lost the lawsuit from Hoover over the beater bars.

At the time of the DirtMasteR, Air-Way was also making the Twin Motor Super Chief, as well as the Green Godess deluxe upright (straight suction) and well as the standard straight suction upright. So, the customer had 4 uprights to chose from. Since it was the middle of depression, most of the salesmen just took in the standard $69 upright, because getting the customer to buy anyting at that time in history was like pulling teeth. In 1937, the Sanitizor was launched, and the rest, as they say, is history. Air-Way actually sold MORE Sanitizor 55's than Electrolux sold model XXX's.

 

[bigbubbacain]

I thought it was wrong from the beginning.......

Seems like whenever a vacuum comes along that's promised to be equal parts upright and canister, something gets compromised in the final product. In this case it was the hose end suction, weight and maneuverability. I think this thing actually weighs more than an Advance Carpet-Twin! As for the "self cleaning" filter, I don't see how this thing actually works because even if the filter keeps turning through that self cleaning mechanism, how is the dust going to fall out of the filter when there is still a constant pull of suction on the filter? Oh nevermind! I think too much!

 

[rexairman]

I hate to admit that one of my most heinous indulgences at VCCC conventions is getting quite stoned with Ms. LaToure and philosophizing about vacuum cleaners. And at our worst we could never have dreamt up something so ridiculous and useless as the Z........