For some reason, and I cannot really say why, I have never really liked this model of Hoover, but when I good example came up I thought I would add it to the collection
with this cleaner was the flex (cord). The rubber outer coating seems to have reacted with itself, especially around the cable hooks. The inner cores appear to be OK, although i was very cautious about running the cleaner, just in case. Unfortunatly the flex appears to be unique to the cleaner, so replacing it might be a problem - I dont really want to use black cable.
There were at least two colourways of this cleaner - this minty green and burgandy/chrome - i have already posted pics of the other one which i had restored a couple of years ago
Unfortunatly there was no instruction book with this cleaner, although there was some of the purchase documentation. Apparently an electrolux was traded in for it, which raises all sorts of thoughts. Back then a cleaner would be expected to last for years and years (and there are plenty of Electroluxes from that period still around and running) so could it have been a model V? Or was it a later model that gave trouble? Lost in the mists of time I am afraid
The main competition to this cleaner was the Hoover Junior. This cleaner is noticeabley lighter than the Junior and, although it used similar bags, they filled from the top. Introduced in 1963 it took Hoover until 1975 to catch up with that particular innovation.
The white lever at the bottom is the carpet height adjuster and rather than cord hooks this cleaner had a pocket on the back of the bag to store the cable in. Not such a good idea as the cores of teh cord tend to twist a lot more that when using hooks
This picture always underlines the necessity of looking at ebay auctions closely. This was included in a lot of multiple items and was not even included in the text - I bought these two or three years ago, long before i had the cleaner, as i have never seen another set of these tools
I like the Unit Appliances 1937 machine, nice classy design.
Very unique power socket on the switch, like wise I would think twice using that switch with out dismantling it first to check.
I always liked the styling of these cleaners. I suspect they used Electrolux motors as they certainly "sound" Electrolux. For the time, mid-late 1960s, it was unusual to have all plastic hose handle, wand and tools. The hose handle is similar to that on the L&E but the hose is different.
The one on the right is the "traditional" style Goblin which had been around since the mid 1960s, although this version is early 1970s, pretty much unchanged. This cleaner does not have the original bag or flex (the flex would have been torquoise, and was very prone to wear). Given that these were sold not only under the Goblin name but also branded through Electricity boards there are remarkably few of them around.
Its yellow younger sister is an Electricity Board exclusive. I always thought that the elongated front was a headlight (in the manner of the Hoover Junior 1354) but no, its just a fancy cover
The knob in the centre rear is the carpet height adjustment.
The Electra normally goes for quite a lot of money, but i got it, and Senior 6525c (US Convertable) and two juniors for 99p the lot! Fair enough it took a tank of petrol to go and collect them, but still, it was worth it for the Electra alone