CountryBoyClean
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June 4, 1957 is a very significant day in vacuum cleaner history. On this day, the patent for the design of what would become the venerable Hoover Convertible was filed by Henry Dreyfuss.
A few years later on the same date, the one and only John Gregory was born. The universe has a funny way of doing things, and I think it's almost poetic that one of the foremost experts on Hoover vacuum cleaners shares a birthday with, arguably, the most recognizable Hoover products ever made!
I was able to spend a few hours with John today to celebrate with him, to surprise him with a Convertible he's been after for many years, and to document a visual history of the venerable Hoover Convertible to share with all of you. Attached below will be a series of photographs, in no particular order as model chronology goes, with captions providing model numbers and production year.
John, pictured here with his birthday present, a 1982 Model U4315
From the 1978 lineup, Models U4129, U4121, and U4145
From 1987-88, Decade 80 Model U4447 and from 1989-1991 the Convertible 700 U4525 (with bag added, as it it came with a dirt cup originally. Sold by Montgomery Ward)
A patient on the service counter in the form of a 1982 Model U4317
John takes a break from sharing the history of the Convertible by posing with his late aunt's 1975 (with later replacement hose) Celebrity II Elite Model S3061
He then surprised me by giving it to me as an early birthday present (mine is next week) since he knew I've always wanted one of that model!
Now, most of us know that the vinyl Hoover and others used for their outer bags in this era is very prone to dry rot. Fortunately, the two cleaners here received genuine Hoover replacements.
From the 1978 lineup, we have here the Model U4185, Model U4175, and the Hess's exclusive Model U4165
Going a bit farther back in time, here we have the 1952 Model 62, the 1956 Model 64 'Citation', the 1962 Model 32, and the 1962 Model 33
Made famous once again by a YouTube "white noise" video, the 1972 Model 728 is always a stunner
From the 1973-1974 lineup, this is Model U4021
From 1967, we have the Model 334 Commercial, the 1970 Model 1070, the 1973-1974 Model U4021, and the 1974 U4005
This next pair is special in the regard that they were made in the time when Hoover was transitioning from metal bases to plastic. We have a 1984 U4173, introduced in 1979, and a 1977 Model U4163 here.
Also from the transition period, we have early and late examples of the famous 'denim' Convertible. From 1978, the Model U4124 and from 1975-1976 the Model U4111
The Model U4027 was initially introduced in 1974, colored in blue and tan. This was then changed to blue and oyster white, as is shown with this 1975 example, featuring the new high performance motor.
These next four from 1975-1976 are certainly a pop of vintage color schemes! Models U4061, U4059, U4057, and U4039
From the days of department stores having their own private label machines, this is a 1976 JC Penney cleaner, Model 2552JC. This particular example hails from the legendary 'Vault' located in the former factory in North Canton.
A perennial favorite among collectors and housewives of the day alike, the Model 1060, introduced in 1966 and shown here in a 1967 example with the new 'modern' font in the headlight text 'Convertible'
Jumping a bit farther forward in time, we have a smorgasbord of 1980s delights. From the left, we have Models, with their production years, the 1987 U4447, 1984 U4387, 1984 U4343, 1982 U4315, 1979-1980 U4309, 1980 U4307 Kmart exclusive, 1980 U4305 Kmart exclusive, 1979-1980 U4303, and 1979-1980 U4301.
The U4303 is the cleaner my parents received as a wedding present in 1980 and I'm fortunate to own a pristine example of one, myself.
This lineup includes some true standouts of the 1970s Convertible. These models are the 1977 U4095-001, 1975-1976 U4091, 1976 U4084, 1972 Model 728, 1972-1975 Model 707, and 1969-1971 Model 706
This 1977 Model U4095-001 and 1975-1976 Model U4059 demanded their own glamor shot
Though already pictured above, the Model 334 Commercial, produced from 1964-1969, deserves a special shoutout. This example from 1967 was John's mother's cleaner and is 'the one that started it all'!
Everybody has their own version of the stairway to heaven, but I think most of ours include a few vacuums to play with! From bottom to top, these are Models U4185 from 1980, U4369 from 1987, U4423 from 1987, U4393 from 1984, and the Sears exclusive U4727 from 1991-1992.
These two lovely ladies felt left out from all the fun, so we said they could have their picture taken too! From 1977, the Model U4115 'Deluxe Convertible' and the U4103 'Convertible Elite'. A similar U4103 is one of my daily drivers at home, though with a later genuine replacement bag.
And finally, with apologies to Nancy Sinatra, "These boots were made for walkin' and that's just what they'll do. With a Hoover in hand, these boots are gonna kick the dirt right out of you!"
I hope you all enjoyed this thread and maybe even learned some new things. It was a pleasure to be a part of celebrating the birthdays of both the venerable Hoover Convertible and a dear friend!
A few years later on the same date, the one and only John Gregory was born. The universe has a funny way of doing things, and I think it's almost poetic that one of the foremost experts on Hoover vacuum cleaners shares a birthday with, arguably, the most recognizable Hoover products ever made!
I was able to spend a few hours with John today to celebrate with him, to surprise him with a Convertible he's been after for many years, and to document a visual history of the venerable Hoover Convertible to share with all of you. Attached below will be a series of photographs, in no particular order as model chronology goes, with captions providing model numbers and production year.
John, pictured here with his birthday present, a 1982 Model U4315
From the 1978 lineup, Models U4129, U4121, and U4145
From 1987-88, Decade 80 Model U4447 and from 1989-1991 the Convertible 700 U4525 (with bag added, as it it came with a dirt cup originally. Sold by Montgomery Ward)
A patient on the service counter in the form of a 1982 Model U4317
John takes a break from sharing the history of the Convertible by posing with his late aunt's 1975 (with later replacement hose) Celebrity II Elite Model S3061
He then surprised me by giving it to me as an early birthday present (mine is next week) since he knew I've always wanted one of that model!
Now, most of us know that the vinyl Hoover and others used for their outer bags in this era is very prone to dry rot. Fortunately, the two cleaners here received genuine Hoover replacements.
From the 1978 lineup, we have here the Model U4185, Model U4175, and the Hess's exclusive Model U4165
Going a bit farther back in time, here we have the 1952 Model 62, the 1956 Model 64 'Citation', the 1962 Model 32, and the 1962 Model 33
Made famous once again by a YouTube "white noise" video, the 1972 Model 728 is always a stunner
From the 1973-1974 lineup, this is Model U4021
From 1967, we have the Model 334 Commercial, the 1970 Model 1070, the 1973-1974 Model U4021, and the 1974 U4005
This next pair is special in the regard that they were made in the time when Hoover was transitioning from metal bases to plastic. We have a 1984 U4173, introduced in 1979, and a 1977 Model U4163 here.
Also from the transition period, we have early and late examples of the famous 'denim' Convertible. From 1978, the Model U4124 and from 1975-1976 the Model U4111
The Model U4027 was initially introduced in 1974, colored in blue and tan. This was then changed to blue and oyster white, as is shown with this 1975 example, featuring the new high performance motor.
These next four from 1975-1976 are certainly a pop of vintage color schemes! Models U4061, U4059, U4057, and U4039
From the days of department stores having their own private label machines, this is a 1976 JC Penney cleaner, Model 2552JC. This particular example hails from the legendary 'Vault' located in the former factory in North Canton.
A perennial favorite among collectors and housewives of the day alike, the Model 1060, introduced in 1966 and shown here in a 1967 example with the new 'modern' font in the headlight text 'Convertible'
Jumping a bit farther forward in time, we have a smorgasbord of 1980s delights. From the left, we have Models, with their production years, the 1987 U4447, 1984 U4387, 1984 U4343, 1982 U4315, 1979-1980 U4309, 1980 U4307 Kmart exclusive, 1980 U4305 Kmart exclusive, 1979-1980 U4303, and 1979-1980 U4301.
The U4303 is the cleaner my parents received as a wedding present in 1980 and I'm fortunate to own a pristine example of one, myself.
This lineup includes some true standouts of the 1970s Convertible. These models are the 1977 U4095-001, 1975-1976 U4091, 1976 U4084, 1972 Model 728, 1972-1975 Model 707, and 1969-1971 Model 706
This 1977 Model U4095-001 and 1975-1976 Model U4059 demanded their own glamor shot
Though already pictured above, the Model 334 Commercial, produced from 1964-1969, deserves a special shoutout. This example from 1967 was John's mother's cleaner and is 'the one that started it all'!
Everybody has their own version of the stairway to heaven, but I think most of ours include a few vacuums to play with! From bottom to top, these are Models U4185 from 1980, U4369 from 1987, U4423 from 1987, U4393 from 1984, and the Sears exclusive U4727 from 1991-1992.
These two lovely ladies felt left out from all the fun, so we said they could have their picture taken too! From 1977, the Model U4115 'Deluxe Convertible' and the U4103 'Convertible Elite'. A similar U4103 is one of my daily drivers at home, though with a later genuine replacement bag.
And finally, with apologies to Nancy Sinatra, "These boots were made for walkin' and that's just what they'll do. With a Hoover in hand, these boots are gonna kick the dirt right out of you!"
I hope you all enjoyed this thread and maybe even learned some new things. It was a pleasure to be a part of celebrating the birthdays of both the venerable Hoover Convertible and a dear friend!
