Recent Hoover Acquisitions

[chestermikeuk]

U1224 Hoover Junior

With tools

 

[myhooverco]

Mike...all I can say is WOW! I really liked your 1224...they are such a pretty machine and so well built. The UK models had the nicer handle grip too. The Power Plus was definitely related to the Decade. The dust cup was an exact copy of ours or vice versa. I really like the UK tools with the black ultra flex hose. The UK sets seemed so much more complete. How was the suction when using the tools? Was this a popular range of cleaner? The Decade was incredibly popular here. Thanks for the photos!!

--Tom

 

[ian88]

I presume the Powerplus range was popular in as much as it was seen as a continuation of the Senior range.

 

[74simon]

Powerplus popularity

I have to say, I don't remember this cleaner being at all popular in the UK. AFAIK, there were two reasons for this.

Firstly, the Powerplus was introduced at around the same time as the Turbopower (US Sovereign) range. Hoover really pushed the Turbos hard - they were normally at the front of brochures, with pages detailing why they were so great. The Powerplus was invariably hidden towards the back. I've known quite a few people who owned a Turbopower, but no-one that had a Powerplus.

Secondly, I understand from other collectors that the Powerplus hads several design shortcomings. The handle was way too weedy for such a bulky machine, and the handgrip used to snap off - and I believe the metal poles would bend and break too. Also, as the cleaner had a combined handle and power pedal, if the cleaner was switched on with the tools attached the handle would fall backwards and wallop whatever was behind it, unless you remembered to hold on to it when you pressed the pedal. Lastly, it suffered the rather inelegant habit of blowing its paper bags clean off the fill tube, especially when it was being used with the tools and the motor was running at the higher speed, although Hoover later came up with a modification to prevent this.

They seem very rare now, especially the Dust Cup version. I've only ever seen one, for sale in a second hand shop, but didn't buy it as it was a bit modern for me. Wish I had now, of course.

Si

 

[chestermikeuk]

Popular!!!

Hi Tom, glas you liked the pics, I never realised that your Hoovers vacs tended not to have rubber handle grips on them, was most disappointed to get a 700 US model and it was "Bare"....lol

I`m with Simon on the Powerplus, I never knew anybody who had one, people thought the Dustcup was too much of a gimmick to catch on....I do like those mauroon colours though...

But compared to your colours the UK models where quite tame...

Mike

 

[ian88]

Damn I thought I had me hoovers sussed but then, I was merely going on the fact that some people would be like "oh my mum had one of these..yoink" alas by the 80s most people didn't think like that..ended up turning into yuppies like i'm not honest ;p

Ian

 

[74simon]

Ah well,

At least you know you've got a bit of a rarity on your hands!

I was going to suggest that it also didn't sell because it was low-tech, but hey! The Sensotronic was all bells and whistles and no-one bought those either

Si

 

[ian88]

In an ideal world people would buy the Powerplus/last of the Junior range because there would be less to go wrong ;p sadly the buying public just love their gadgets.

Ian

 

[myhooverco]

Here is our 1980 line up of Decade 80's. The one on the left in blue is very early and labeled "Deluxe Convertible" instead of Decade 80. Early on they were know by this name instead. The Decade label must have been a last minute decision. They all four have the handle actuated high speed motor. These were fairly long lived units. The bases would eventually crack or the brushroll would melt the housing. They were excellent carpet cleaners. This as it turned out would be the last major restyle on the Convertible series before it ended in the early 90's. This was Convertible at its glitziest. Enjoy the pics.

--Tom

 

[convertible68]

Wow, I remember three of those Decades! The one on the left was the one I had for a while, except it did say "Decade 80" on the front cover. My dad's old workplace had the grey machine, second one from the right that I remember using, but with the belt off as the beater bar ROARED during use...who knows what caused that. And one of my aunts had the machine on the right for a while; never got a chance to play with it though.

 

[luxboy]

Very nice picture

Tom..

Those sure are some pretty machines! I really like that Deluxe Convertible. Wish my Decade 80 had a nice decal like yours. Most of them I have seen have scratched up decals. Thanks for the pic!

Derreck

 

[seamusuk]

Decades.........

Hey Guys

Im hoping to add one of these to my collection at some point I think the way they are narrower at the back is a real throw back to early machines. I understand they have twin headlight bulbs?? Ive just brought a tool kit from Ebay- just need the cleaner to go with it now lol!!.

Seamus