Unusual Convertible find

[constellation86]

I picked this one up at a thrift store today. It's in pretty good shape, it looks much better in person than in the pictures. It's a model U4075. I don't remember seeing one like this before. is it rare? Does anyone have date or production info for this model? The serial number is 0001680 so it must be very early.
I just grabbed it when I saw it at the store. Hard to argue with 8 bucks for a metal base convertible. I'm also a sucker for a blue vacuum. After a good cleaning, and new belt and bag it runs great.
Would this have been a bol model? No headlight, short cord, no hand grip. It is a two speed, the switch is in the converter slide.
What do you guys think? My favorite part is the blue piece on top of the bag. It really dresses it up.
Nicholas

 

[constellation86]

close up

 

[constellation86]

running

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Wow!

Never seen that one!

Great find!

~Fred

 

[moparhemipower]

WOW!!!!!!!!

I can honestly say, I have NEVER seen a Hoover Convertible like that, EVER, so to me, it's RARE, GREAT find!!!!!!!!

I only WISH Thrift Store's around me had some Vintage Vacuum's like that, but Alas, they have none.

James C. Gockel

 

[Eureka1458A]

WOW! Nice Find! I have never seen that model either. I am guessing mid 70's??? I too am a sucker for blue vacuums as well. Congrats!

Stephen

 

[hoover1060]

That is a good find

And the year for that would be 1976. Thats a promo model, Kmart sold basically the same machine in the persian gold colors. Tom has one of those.
I can vaguely remember the above model in the stores. Around here, that one was sold at Goldblatts Department Store.

Also note the color, Sea Blue, same as the U6039 DAM powerdrive, the U4085 Bicentennial Convertible, and the yet to be introduced U4103 Convertible Elite. The U4099 promo model would also be this blue as well.

 

[eluxomarty]

Have the same vacuum

I have the same vacuum in the yellow/gold colors. I thought it was a rebuild. If it is a rare model I will keep it.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

is it really rare or just one of the MANY cheap bottom of the line promos that didn't get listed on Jeff's list?
I have now seen four of these, the red U4053, U4075, U4111-denim, and the gold one at Tom's house that I for got the number on.

 

[hoover1060]

Its both

Phillip,
That is on of the MANY promos not on my list, there were way too many of these bby the middle 70's. The promo models varied from store to store too.
This model, like the gold model Tom has could be bought new WITH a set of 1031 tools for $49.99

Around here Zayre had a promo model styled like model 589/593, only in the delft blue color of model 719.
I'd love to find one of those!!!

 

[constellation86]

I have a couple questions. Did Hoover make different variations with this same model number? And when did they swith to the plastic bases? Was it all at once or just the cheap models working up to the tol machines?
Thanks
Nicholas

 

[rugmaster37]

My Grandma Schieberl had.....

The one just like that, but was the one Tom Anderson has in his collection. I'm not near the machine now It's in Lansing in storage (i.e. Mom's basement)so i hav no idea as to the model number....

My grandmother was VERY thrifty, so I can see where this model appealed to her....

Hers was more of a honey and frosting white, with a honey bag topper.

It's the ONLY machine from my childhood I still have...

Chad

 

[hoover1060]

Nicholas,

to answer your questions, Yes there were at least a couple of instances where they used the same model number and changed colors.
the first one is model U4001, which came in three color combos. The first was a seal griege/taupe, the second was persian gold/taupe, and the third was a copper orange/taupe. The model was exclusive to Kmart, and you could find one version in a Kmart, then go to another Kmart down the road and find a different version.
The other model I know of is model U4047, which first came in Sunset orange/taupe, and then later in flame orange/taupe.
Plastic bases were phased in slowly, first on the promo models, then up through the line. By 1980 most everything was plastic except for the commercial and guardsman cleaners.
hope this helps some!

 

[louvac]

Hey Nick!

I have this same model, also. Found it several years ago from an add in the local newspaper by a guy who was getting rid of stuff in his cellar. I, too, thought it was somewhat rare...It's rare alright - it's worth about $475,000.00......yea right! If you look hard enough and in the right places you will find many other oddities, too!

My bag is a little crispy down by the handle release lever but over all it's in nice shape.

And guys, I also have a thing for a blue vacuum. That's why I so love the Kirby Tradition. It's my fave!

Louis

 

[hoover1060]

As these machines are identified...

I add them to the Convertible list, so we know what they are.

So now the 3 models in the above style have been identified:
U4075 - sea Blue
U4087 - forest green
U4091 - Persian gold

All three models have squared hoods with the same graphics, and narrow top bags. The U4087 has a full bumper and a zipper bag.

Whats interesting to me is the Bicentennial model U4085 falls right in the middle of these, and it had the wide top bag!

 

[louvac]

Jeff....

I also have a nice U4099. Same color scheme with plaid wide-top bag and headlight. It must be from the same time period. It also had a handle grip

 

[hoover1060]

Louis,
The U4099 replaced the Bicentennial model U4085 at the end of 1976

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Don't forget the U4095 with rounded convertibles special type nonheadlight hood and sunset orange colors with the all orange wide top zippered bag. I love that machine.
Where there any full hooded metal based promos that never got listed?

 

[hoover1060]

I didn't forget it Phillip...

I didn't mention the U4095 because it had the older style round hood.
To my knowledge no, there are not any full hooded promo models