Hoover Z

[vacuumfreeeke]

Hey guys... the next vacuum I want to add to my collection is a Hoover Z 400. I know they clog fast and are heavy, but they are so unique... 50 years from now they will probably be rare. How much should I pay for one used? Do any of you have one, and what do you think of it?

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Don't pay...

More than $100.

 

[normvac]

Good advice !

 

[vintagehoover]

As it happens, I just vacuumed my front room with these (and a Windtunnel 2!) on Friday. They're not mine, I might add, but they were brought over by a visitor who has access to such things.

The Z was a great heavy, hulking beast of a cleaner, but one of the most fun concepts in carpet cleaning I've ever seen! There are so many details I love about the machine, it's just that they all add up wrong! And according to someone who should know, they were the most expensive cleaner to produce Hoover ever made. The molds have now been smashed, there won't ever be any more!

I'd certainly have shipped one over here by now if it wasn't so damn expensive!

We almost got the opportunity to buy them in the UK: there were plans to launch it as a Maytag, at the same time we got the new Connie as the Maytag Satelite. When they turned out to be a flop for Hoover in the US, the plans were cancelled. One interesting remenant of that idea remains, though, showing the intention to sell them in the UK was integral even as the machine was being designed: look inside the tool compartment of the Z 400 - see the 3 rectangular holes in the plastic at the back? Designed to secure a UK 3-pin plug

 

[petek]

I should have gotten one as well while they were available for sale and that reminds me I just saw one of the new white connies still for sale in a Home Hardware store the other day but they still had the original $225 price tag on it. Maybe I should go ask if they'll sell it to me cheap since it's now old stock.

 

[ohio_tuec]

It's certainly worth a shot. I paid a little over $100. for mine with the shipping (the cleaner weighs a ton), I got the Z-700. IIRC, Tom Gasko mentioned that the Hoover company was selling the returns to Carnival Cruise Lines to be used as anchors, which if is true, adds all the more to the rarity. True to Hoover form, they have excellent suction and clean the carpets very well, but due to the weight and kludgy bulkiness, I can understand why the machine was unpopular. You should definitely get one....

 

[vintagehoover]

'Tom Gasko mentioned that the Hoover company was selling the returns to Carnival Cruise Lines to be used as anchors, which if is true, adds all the more to the rarity.'

...I think that was a joke at Hoover's expense...

 

[vacman117]

hmmmm

Just a few months ago i went to the home deopt and this was on clearance. i picked it up and man did it way a ton. i do wish i would of picked it up as it was only 100