Nice Hoover Concept I

[gmerkt]

Here is a nice Hoover Concept I model U3105-030 that I bought recently. This is a pretty machine in green and ivory. This arguably should be in the Vintage forum, as it could date to 1979 but I'll play it safe and post here.

The circa 1979 vintage is highlighted by the "shag" setting on the nozzle height adjustment and the science fiction- inspired font used in the name badge.

This was one of those fortunate finds whereby a machine was found that had been well-treated and gently used over the years. The inside of the outer bag was clean, the brushroll and ducting were all spotless, and there were no broken parts aside from belts. It was missing one hubcap.

There was a mechanical fault with this machine in that it had the typical problem of the self propulsion not working in forward position. I had a rather run-down Power Max on hand that had good power train in it that I sacrificed for this Concept I. While making my rounds, I run across quite a few Concept and Power Max vacs and usually they are quite doggy and or have bad self propulsion. Nevertheless, I carry a little drive belt in my pocket for testing whenever possible. If I find one with a good transmission, I buy it regardless of condition otherwise.

I don't advise disassembly of the transmission on these. It can be done, but it's a pain and replicating the necessary parts would be quite time-consuming.

My granddaughter had the Fisher-Price "Little People" out today which is the commotion behind the vac in the first picture.

 

[gmerkt]

More Concept I

Closer pic.

 

[gmerkt]

More Concept I

Handle area.

 

[gmerkt]

Still more Concept I

Back of machine.

 

[bagintheback]

Not only is the Concept nice but your back-yard is beautiful! It looks like the Hoover was really taken care of, even vacuums I bought new don't look as good as that!

 

[hoovercelebrity]

That really is a beautiful machine.. love your pictures! That model in particular has always been a favorite Concept of mine -- I have a thing for green vacuums. That would have been the Concept my parents could have purchased when they purchased their first vacuum... instead they got the Type-A bag Convertible in that same green color.

I have seen a few of those, and passed a pretty nice non-self propelled model along to another collector, Patrick in Milwaukee, before I moved to North Carolina. I believe it's one of his daily drivers.

Here's a spec sheet for it... Back and front covers first:

 

[hoovercelebrity]

And the inside..

 

[hamiltonbeachbo]

Hey Fred,
Actually, I received 2 of the non-self propelled version from you.
I rebuilt one that "the Ex" used as a trade-in on a Kirby Sentria.
The other is definitely one of my favorite carpet groomers.
It is absolutely fantastic.
I find that Hoover Concept to be an amazing machine.
Actually, I "did my apartment" yesterday with it.
In my past, we acquired the self-propelled version of the "green machine" from my former Mother-In-Law when they sold the Chicago house.
Nice machine but personally, I'm not a fan of the self-propelled version .... I guess I'm a manual shift kind of guy ... all about the control.
Thanks sooooo much for your generosity when it comes to that machine.
It is parked next to the self-propelled DAM you and I rebuild which I will never part with (what was I thinking???)
Take great care
psf

 

[kirbyds80]

I have one of these

I have this same exact one and i love it! It's works like brand new.

 

[gmerkt]

From my limited experience, the weak link on these is the transmission for the self propulsion, like I said above; the handle gets wiggly/loose; and the two speed power switch won't go into high speed. These are all pretty obvious faults that don't take much looking for. Another thing I notice is loose risers inside the bag, so dirt flies into the outer bag instead of into the disposable inner one. These are fairly hefty machines, and the self-propulsion itself didn't add all that much weight to them. Modern plastic machines have gotten everyone used to light weight so when they encounter one of these, they are incredulous as to the weight. An older or petite lady would probably want to have one of these with the self propulsion in working order.

 

[scvacuumguy]

Funny you mention older ladies and this machine. I had one come in today for brush roll bearings and belts and we did it while the lady was waiting. She had no clue that it had two belts and finally gave up replacing her belt last year. When we ran the machine on the carpet to show her the new sound of her brushroll, it nearly pulled her across the store. She had no clue that it pulled itself...maybe she will bring it back to trade in on a new machine, it was in GREAT shape