Very Rare for SA Hoover 638

[gsheen]

I continue my quest to have as many Hoovers as John ( gottohavehoover)

I got this very sad looking beast today, Needs a full restoration, These models are rare here in SA as most have made there way to the scrap heap. Still runs but what a racket

 

[portable]

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">Holy crap! That poor chil' needs some cleanin' up! A good project for when you are bored. Are the parts essentially the same as the British models? Did they make any in South Africa? I seem to remember they told us at the factory in North Canton that they made washing machines in S.A., but what about vacuums?</span>

 

[jmurray01]

Ooh, I can't wait for the restored pictures!

 

[gsheen]

John

Yes they made vacuums here in SA. In fact they had a huge test facility back in the 50's and 60's in the eastern Cape. All New designs of washers, vacuums and machines that could face abuse were tested out here. The idea was if it lasted here in SA it would last anywere.Kelvinator and indesit also had test facility's here in SA. Luckily nothing is broken on this poor machine just cosmetic and possibly a new motor bearing and top bush, and some new agitator bearings.

I am looking forward to working on this monster this weekend it shall be fun

 

[jmurray01]

Have you ran it without the belt to make sure the motor bearing requires replacement ?

In my experience the brush roll bearings were the ones to go whilst the motor bearings lasted very long indeed.

That reminds me, I shall have to replace the brush roll in my Senior, since the bearings are gone and it is getting rusty it seems easier to just put a shiny new one in.

 

[anthony]

hi again

it dont look to bad to me is the bag any good? these machines were practically bomb proof they run forever it should fix up quite well look forward to seeing the finished product good luck regards Tony

 

[gsheen]

When I do a rebuild I always put in new bearings, it just makes the motor run sweater .
Plus the Plonker who had it used it to suck up cement dust as in pre mix and nothing dries out bearings and seals like that stuff.

Bag is ok , not perfect but ok, this one has a paper bag in it

 

[jmurray01]

Probably best! I'm just a parsimonious Scotsman...

 

[portable]

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: small;">Cement dust?! OMG! I bet this is going to be a fun clean-up. </span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: small;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: small;">Are you going to attempt a re-paint? The base looks pretty rough...</span>

 

[gsheen]

You guys called this the Hoover Citation in the USA right except the switch was on the handle ?

 

[portable]

<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">No, Garrett. This was the DeLuxe Model 63. It was the "first" upright Hoover to have a completely <span style="text-decoration: underline;">disposable</span> inner paper bag. The Citation (Model 64), in a taupe/tan color scheme followed in, I believe 1956. It had a vinyl outer jacket with a zipper and the same Type C disposable bag that debuted on the 63. The 63 still had a sleek nylon blue outer jacket, tapered at the bellows below. It differed from the 62, the model prior to the 63, in that the 62 still had the "Handi-Sac", an emptyable, (is that a word?) reusable inner paper bag not unlike the Models 60 and 61 of the 40's. Hoover first tried this concept in 1929, but got in trouble with AirWay, so they shelved the idea until 1940 when the Model 60 debuted.</span>


<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">My profile picture is a Model 62 that featured the Handi-Sac.</span>


<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Below is a picture of my old Model 63...</span>

 

[gsheen]

I often wonder why Hoovers in the USA had switches on the handle but the UK and SA had switches on the base, even the very last plastic hood and base convertibles had there switches on the base here in SA


Note the orange switch on the right of the hood

 

[1926700]

John L.....

i have that same carpet in my dining room, it was given to me.....for the simple reason that i HATE bare floors....=)....and i also have a issue of Montgomery Wards from 1974 that has that carpet in 3 variety's...green, yellow, and the red we both have....

 

[gottahaveahoove]

That will be a great cleaner, once again.

Glad it's in YOUR hands.  They really were 'bombproof'.I have several.  Here's mt Citation, with a replacement bag.  It was the forerunner to the beloved Convertible.   That switch in the handle was SOO convenient.


  I was told that U.K.HOOVER had to have the switch 'down there' because of the current.

 

[gsheen]

Thank you John

I am having trouble getting the correct colour match for the base at the moment.

That is interesting what you said about the current IE higher voltage,WHY interesting is because the Hoover 912 had its switch in the handle here in SA.

I have been on the lookout for one of these for ever, WE are moving our business to bigger premises and I am planing a vacuum cleaner time warp

 

[jmurray01]

Oh my Gareth, is that a... SENIOR RANGER!?

I don't see why the current would have any influence on the placing of the power switch though ?

 

[portable]

<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">1926700 -</span>


<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I HATED that carpet, mostly because I hated that room. It was upstairs, almost completely unheated and uncooled. It had hideous pink walls (last painted in the 40's), and that horrible red carpet (not tacked down - you had to be careful to not get too close to the edges with a revolving brush). I had big plans for it, none of which came to pass before I sold the house. It was the site of the 2001 visit by members who came to Portland for the convention that year. We had lots of fun. </span>


<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">But I see that carpet in my nightmares.....J</span>

 

[portable]

<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Here's my Citation ---</span>

 

[portable]

<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another view --</span>