Todays find: Lilac Convertible Special

[petek]

I found this Convertible Special sans attachments, snap close bag, this morning at the Sally Ann. It was still in the FORBIDDEN ZONE behind the swing doors at the back of the store but my eagle eye caught a glimpe of the handle amidst a pile of junk when an employee came out and those doors flapped back and forth LOL. $10. fair condition. the usual base scrapes and the handle paint where you grab it, no grip, is worn. Oh and the bag without exaggeration contained at least 2 pounds of dirt. Runs good now that it has a new bag.
Cdn model 331

 

[arh1953]

I like that a lot. I almost got a later model Convertible today until I noticed the headlight cover was missing. That one was also $10.00.

 

[hoover1060]

now that is beautiful!!!

Pete thats the equivalent of the US model 33, and the model my parents bought when they moved into their first house in 1964.
Awesome find!

 

[Eureka1458A]

Ohh...Pretty!

I have a Model 33 too but the hood and the bag are really faded and instead of it being a pretty lavender colour it is more of a "storm cloud grey" colour.

Enjoy!

Stephen

 

[myvacsrock]

Hey Pete!
Nice find! Is that a purple cord? i know we didn't have those!

 

[petek]

The cord is very very light purple.

 

[myhooverco]

Pete,

Congrats on the 331. I have to say that it is one of Hoover's prettiest models. The one you found looks to be in very good shape. Usually the bag and cord have been replaced. You are lucky to find one that is so original and for that kind of price. I think on ebay you could easily double or triple you money. There are many folks on here who had this model growing up. Jeff Parker is one and so is our very own Pat Coffey down in Vienna, VA. This model Hoover Special seems to be very popular among collectors. Thanks for sharing it with us.

--Tom

Our US model did not have the purple cord, just plain old white.

 

[appliguy]

My 33 is my favorite vacuum in my collection

and in a weird coincidence my 33 was not only my mom's but like Jeff Parkers mom my mom got this vacuum when her and my dad moved into there new house in October 1963 (it was thrown in to cinch the deal on their new dining room set which, we also still have as well). Congrats on your find Pete.
PAT COFFEY

 

[compactelectra]

The 33

Is one of my sentimental favorites. My Mom and Dad bought it in the early 60's from Polk Brothers in Chicago. A beautiful machine.

 

[hoover1060]

2nd biggest seller of the 60's

They made 495,000 model 33's!!

 

[swingette]

very nice, pete. do these still have the foreskin-style bag retainer, guys? hows the bellows and brushroll, pete? if that is the original cord, this is a true gem. i bet more than one collector would trade ten Panasonics for this one!

how are you gonna rub out those scuffs on the base? do you finish with wax? i think there might be a demand for some more pics here, no? maybe one with it all shined and gleaming?

David

 

[hygiene903]

Nice Convertible, Pete!

I didn't know anyone personally who had a 33 when I was a kid, but I do remember seeing them at the O'Neil's store and a couple of hardware stores back in the day. My Aunt who gave me my Westinghouse cannister did have a model 32 (the pink one), but it was long gone, or I would have snagged it when I got the Westinghouse! And I agree with Tom, it's one of the prettiest Convertibles Hoover ever made!
Jeff

 

[petek]

Hi David, the bellows and brushroll/bristles are in great condition. The rubber band bag retainer is cracky and probably will give out. The vinyl bag and snaps are perfect. It's just those pesky paint chips. Most of the scrapes up the handle and on the white base disappeared with the Magic Eraser.. I did a quick 5 minute wipe over. Haven't taken it apart yet.
Before

 

[petek]

A bit of erasering. I'm just wondering if those "color back" paint/wax products for cars would cover any chips etc.. Never tried them.. maybe I should buy a bottle and see.
Here it is a little cleaner

 

[swingette]

i strongly doubt those color-infused waxes would help. but really, those small blemishes are not that bad. not bad at all.

have you ever tried Mothers aluminum polish? its a godsend on tired paint. it can used to treat little scuffs AND refresh the entire paint job. can be used on that plastic hood to bring back some shine AND is swell for removing difficult stains and darkening on rubber bumpers and cords as well. make sure to remove all residue. try removing the hood, and maybe even the Hoover medallion, to do a really thorough job. finish with paste wax or a good car wax and that cleaner is gonna dazzle.

so this one uses the latter rubber ring retainer? of course you know most any vac shop will have a replacement. also, its not as authentic, but a metal spring bag retainer/garter, like on Eureka, may be preferable.

sorry to go on and on, but with that cord and bag, your Hoover is worth all the attention you can give it. and one more time, those blemishes are not bad at all!

 

[eluxomarty]

Oh My!!!

Pete! That's a gorgeous machine!!!! I would love to find one of those!!! 495,000? Jeez Louise, i should be able to find at least one!! Congrats Eagle Eye!!!

Marty

 

[seamusuk]

Bag Retaining rings...

Hey Guys

Over this side of the pond we use Junior belts (1330/48 type)

Thats all Hoover over here ever used(except very early 1334/652 machines that had the sprung metal version).

We never had the rubber condom type.

Seamus

 

[seamusuk]

Oops

Pete

That a stunning find as well- and ya cant go wrong with that price

 

[hoover1060]

paint

Pete,
you could use any kind of light rubbing compound on the paint and the scrapes will come out. Of course where the paint is scratched off is another story, but you will get the marks off.
Anything like Color Back, GS27, Scratch Out, will work just fine and not harm the paint.