Hoover Constellation Reborn!

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

Seamus...

I've always been very intrigued by Hoover's "The One" models. Have you ever used one? I wonder if they are loud, and if they're built well. I heard the first models had a ton of problems. Do you know if Hoover changed anything when they came out with the new colors? I wonder what would make them clean so poorly. Is the filter set-up badly designed? Does it have a wimpy brushroll?

Oh one more question. You guys have so many more models of Dyson over there than we do here. Are people totally brainwashed that they're the best vacuum ever? I can only imagine how much they dominate the department stores vacuum selections.....

Marty... I want to know more about the Windtunnel 2. Do you like it? Does the "self-cleaning" filter actually do it's job? I wanna play with one so bad, but they're on backorder right now. Our shop hasn't gotten them yet. ><

Corey
 
corey, remember that weird vacuum i told you i saw? it was the windtunnel II. i didnt know till i saw the pictures here. since i didnt look close, i thought it may have been a super huge floormate. its a good-looking vacuum. in interested in how the rug adjuster works.
 
11 Months......

11 months isn't bad considering that alot of the machine is new. You have to figure tooling into the mix. Alot of what was metal on the old Connies is now plastic, i.e. base and filter housing. Plus a new handle and hose connection. Injection molds have at least a 4 month lead time plus a try out period. I would also think that the dies for the metal body housings were long gone from the Hoover assembly lines and had to be re made. The traveling to China and bringing their assembly line up to speed with the proper quality takes time. There would have to be a recertification of product safety too. All this in 11 months isn't bad at all. Congrats to the manager at Hoover for giving the go ahead for the program that re-launched the Connie! Technically its the third launch of the Connie! First was the early 50's next was the mid 70's.

Joe
 
Actually...

It was the director of International Floorcare at Maytag International who was in charge of the Satellite/Constellation re-birth. Maytag Int'l is also in charge of Canada (international), and they wanted the machine too, based on how well it has been doing in England. However, Canada still has the ability to use the Hoover name. As a result, it's called the Hoover Constellation and they are giving it to the entire North American marketplace (Canada and the US).
 
Who ever it was.....

Its great to have the Connie back. Thanks, Fred for the info on the management side of the poject. In regards to its bags, I thought that the alergen "S" bags had the latex seal, but I don't think that's true. Is there such a thing as an alergen "S" bag? I think I'm confusing that with the "Y" bags. An "S" bag with the latex seal would cross both the Futura/Wind Tunnel canister and the Connie, based on the fact that you could fit the "S" bag into the Connie.

I want to get one when I visit Tom in North Canton later this summer. I hope its there by that time. The nice thing would be that it came to me from North Canton even though its made in China.

Joe
 
S Bags.

Hey Joe-

The type A, K, S and Z bags come in two different varitits. Regular and Allergen Filtration. The regular bags are green and one layer--much like the current type J bags for the old Constellations (and most of the other bags--type C, D, E, G, H, J, M, N, X). The Allergen Filtration bags are like the type Y bags for the Windtunnel--a thicker, more dense paper that holds 100% of dust mites and their eggs, and 99.9something % of ragweed and common grass pollens. The Allergen S bags used to come with the rubber seal, and that's what I have in my machine that is in the pictures (I was waiting on my bags from England). I had an older package of them. With keeping costs down, I'm sure, that's something they did away with pretty quickly I imagine. I've even purchased a few packages of bojack allergen filtration bags (don't tell anyone), and have not found any to have the latex/rubber seal.

There is also one step above the Allergen Filtration bags, which would be the HEPA filtration "Filtrete" bags by 3M. The only type of bags that are available as "Filtrete" so far are the type Y and Z (one bag that works in either type of machine). And that is what I imagine will be offered for the new Constellation...but am not 100% sure, because they could just put a HEPA filter before the motor, call it a day, and tell people to use the S bags.

~Fred
 
this is the third launch of the

The Hoover Constellation model 82 debuted in 1954 and was well received. It lasted until 1970 when it was pulled from the market. The last model was the 843. Dealers cried for the company to bring it back which they did and added a model the pumpkin colored 858 which did not have the tilted body or the tool rack making it the bottom line model. These two models lasted until 1975. I have heard many reasons for its demise...blowing dust and carpet fresh about the room, old design, crowded line up of canisters (which Hoover never really got into anyway), limited appeal. This was also a time of financial crisis at Hoover. It was only two years later that the company dropped all of its housewares lines and regrouped to concentrate on floorcare.

I personally am glad that the "Connie" is back. Someone at Hoover should get a raise. I think it will do well especially with us collectors! Happy third rebirth Connie!

--Tom
 
How interesting Tom, I didn't realize that there was another almost death prior to the final 1975 one. I do know they had that one flying saucer like Celebrity that floated after that. I hadn't realized the decision to drop the kitchen appliances was based in financial distress.
 
Hoover realized by the mid 70's that they could not compete head to head with GE and other appliance makers. It was just not as profitable. For instance they could make much more profit from the sale of a Dial a Matic than on a $15 toaster. They opted to pool their resources and concentrate on floor care. I think this was a wise move on their part.

The Hoover Celebrity introduced in 1974 had a model that floated called "air ride". These were around after the Constellation was dropped and served as a bare bones canister. The Celebrity was much more powerful and kept its air flow longer than the "Connie". To me it just did not have the "wow" factor that the "Connie" had. I am just so happy that it is returning.

What else would everyone like to see return?

--Tom
 
I'm for the Convertible coming back...

but not in the form of that cheap-ass plastic thing it was when they retired it either!
 
The Concept One

Gosh.. if they brought back the Concept One, I'm sure they'd sell like mad! So many people don't blink at dropping $100-$125 on a general service for their Concept...just to keep it running. I've even had people ask why they don't make the Concept any more... They are stellar machines that clean very well...they're pushing 30 years old, and the early models are still running strong!

~Fred
 
Bring back the Concept One...

...or the Concept Two (I always liked the built-in-handheld.)

There are so few soft-outer-bag machines in stores these days that it would really stand out. Some would find it retro, others would be reminded of the Hoovers their parents have that still work after twenty years.

Heck, they could charge $500 for it. People would buy it because it's expensive. (It costs a lot, so it must be good!) At that price, they could build them in their "high cost" factories like North Canton or wherever, and still keep their margins up. Give the company some of its pride back. Remember when workers had pride in what they did?

I say we start a petition.
 
My Vote....

I would have to vote to bring back the Concept One also. They are cleaning machines! Quiet, yet strong sounding. Deep Cleaning machines. The Connie was my very first choice, just add a power nozzle. The Decade/Convertible has honorable mention seeing it is still available as the Guardsman.
Joe
 
Something to think about

back in the 70's a new Dial-A-Matic powerdrive sold for $170.
That would be about $900 in today's dollars.
Would you buy one today for that price?
 
Well.....

If they slapped a good set of on-board tools on it, gave it better filtration, and gave it a double brush agitator, and a top -fill filtrete bag...I'd really want one. Basically make a very durable Windtunnel with a kickass well-designed motor.

They could market it as being deep-cleaning and long lasting. People seem to like durabability in this age of throw-away appliances.

Corey
 
But Corey...

If you want a double brush agitator in a DAM powerdrive, a Concept one agitator will fit, as will the Elite style from the plastic power drive series.
Just swap end caps and VOILA! Double brush DAM!
 

Similar threads

historyman
Hoover Portapower adapter
Replies
6
Views
56
novum
N
volvoguy87
1990s Maytag Dishwasher Help Please
Replies
6
Views
469
combo52
combo52
W
Roper gas range help ;)
Replies
8
Views
162
weed30
W
servis-dream
The Ultimate Nerd Project II
Replies
3
Views
185
servis-dream
servis-dream
M
Older Maytag VMW washer in great condition: A Find
Replies
0
Views
282
maytaglover68
M

Latest posts

Back
Top