Wards Convertible

[stricklybojack]

I found this on Craigslist. Posting here because i have never seen one from Wards. Are these rebranded Eurekas?

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/atq/3804790817.html

 

[suckolux]

yes

 

[super-sweeper]

"Monkey Warts vacuum cleaner"

It would appear so, due to the handle, bag connection and switch positioning.
The only thing being I don't recognize that hood.

What ever it is, I would seriously purchasing the bargain of $10 it is!

I'm certainly no expert, though.
-Alex.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

This appears to be from the mid to late 1970s... and probably one of the BOL (bottom of the line) ones if so. Meaning it would have the Disturbulator bare wood brush.

~Ben

 

[raycarter]

It is indeed from the latter half of the 1970s.

That is the model SP854A, which was tested by Consumer Reports in 1976. This model, and the Wards UHO 870 (the Wards twin of the Hoover Power Drive Dial-A-Matic) were both recommended in view of their good performance. The SP870A was further praised for its low price, and the UHO870 for its self-propulsion (which was found to be particularly helpful for large, heavily carpeted homes), its convenient automatic pile adjustment, and for being relatively quiet for an upright.

 

[ericaustin]

OMG!

I have been looking for a pic of a machine similar to this only it had a chrome handle, headlight, plain white bag, and a wood like sticker around the dial-a-nap. Does anyone have info about the machine I have described? It was my great grandmother's machine up until about 1989.

 

[eurekaprince]

The vacuum cleaner is indeed made by Eureka for Montgomery Wards. You can see the legendary Dial-A-Nap height adjuster at the front of the motor hood.

The hood is quite unusual for a Eureka of the time, but indeed it is one of the hood shapes used by the company in the 1970's and 1980's. Not my favourite design really. But one can find many uprights of the era made by Eureka featuring this shape - with and without headlights. I think there was even a red "Boss" version at some point! We even had the design in Canada - I think for our Baycrest brand being sold in the Hudson Bay department stores (now owned by Lord and Taylor).

The guts of the vac are the same as any low-end Eureka and will take the standard belt and F&G dirt bag.