UK Meet 2009 - the vintage machines!

[vintagehoover]

First off, the weird and wonderful Hotpoint Swallow!

Very elusive nowadays, we did wonder if this was due to the build-quality; a nice design but not particularly strong in places.

It's almost camoflaged into the stairs here!

 

[vintagehoover]

Alarmingly simple and straight-forward, with practically nothing in the way of styling or decoration - just a badge on the lower part of the bag door bearing the name 'Hotpoint'.

Refreshingly minimalist!

 

[vintagehoover]

Very slimline in profile!

 

[vintagehoover]

It's a 600w clean-fan design, and interestingly, the detachable plastic fill-tube is actually inserted up inside the bag, before the whole thing is slotted back into the bag compartment!

 

[vintagehoover]

Next up, Mike's Sweeper-Vac duo!

I believe he got the upright Model 22 in America during one of the conventions (perhaps you can share the story here, Mike!), and I bought the hand-held Model 49 on eBay.com. When Mike gave me that magnificent Hoover Model 800 Jubilee bag a few months back, I gave him the Model 49, since it matched his upright!

 

[vintagehoover]

Dramatic carpet's-eye view!

Note the wheels either side of the brush-roll, like the Model O! Sweeper-Vac claimed that lifting the carpet up to the nozzle (as Hoover did, with the front wheels behind the nozzle) was damaging to the carpet. Sweeper-Vac's machines pinned the carpet down on the ground with the wheels, relying on suction and sweeping alone to remove dirt.

Hoover's Agitator/Activator design was around for nearly 70 years - Sweeper-Vac didn't make it much past the 1920s, so I guess we can see who won!

 

[vintagehoover]

I love the 2-tone bag, and the smooth contours of the main casing.

 

[vintagehoover]

Close-up of that badge...

 

[vintagehoover]

The sweeping (but NOT beating!!) brush...

 

[vintagehoover]

Onto the strange Vorwerk...I think these are such bizarre-looking machines!

 

[vintagehoover]

In use...quite good suction for a 200w motor!

 

[vintagehoover]

I wouldn't call it 'pretty', but it is oddly charming in its own way!

 

[vintagehoover]

Al's 1969 Miele...

 

[vintagehoover]

Some Electroluxes...don't know much about these!!!

 

[vintagehoover]

...and some more!

 

[crevicetool]

Wonderful pictures Jack!

I've got to ask though, have you recovered from not being around a Hoover for the entire UK mini-meet?

Rick

 

[bagintheback]

You took some good pictures there Jack. I've always enjoyed your videos and photos, even before I joined the site! How well does that Vorwerk work? I also love that Hotponit, it reminds me of a shoe. Does it have anything to do with a hoover model? It remember seeing another vacuum that looks like that, I think it was a late Junior? I hope you had a great time!

 

[portable]

Great pictures, Jack -

That Hotpoint is a real Plain Jane, though quite fascinating. It reminds me (very distantly) of a US Dial-a-Matic / UK Convertible, mostly because of the hard bag compartment. That Sweeper vac is gorgeous - the bag is so beautiful! It's a work of art by itself! Quite a hefty brushroll too. The other machines a wonderful too. Love the Lux lineup. Thanks for sharing the pictures. John L

 

[normvac]

Sweeper Vac hand vacuum !

I have to comment that the little Sweeper Vac, hand held looks
so much like an Apex. Except I have a blue Apex. Then if you
rubbed all the blue paint off and put a red bag and handle
on it. They would be the same !
Norm