Hoover constellation

[hotpoint95622]

Hi, my first vintage vacuum, I have been wanting one for a while, it will look great with my Maytag Satellite which is the modern constellation.

Can any one tell me the manufacturing date from the serial number?

It is a model 867A
Ser,No, I.B.317930

As you can see from the photos she is a little battle scared, haven’t plugged into the mains yet, which is very unusual for me, but I have tested it with a 12v battery and the motor runs.

I have the original metal bag clip and filter ring clip, hose, extension tubes which are missing the rivets which lock into the plastic clips, the one clip is missing on the shaped handle hose, I also have the dusting brush, crevasse tool and the floor head but it’s not a Hoover one.

 

[hotpoint95622]

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Photo

 

[hotpoint95622]

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Bottom a bit of a mess, I should think it’s been dragged around a lot and worn the paint away.

 

[hotpoint95622]

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Will get it painted some time, limited to the green as the bumper strip is green.

 

[hotpoint95622]

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Had to sneak this in under the radar, wonder how long it will take before I’m found out, I’ve been band from having any more vintage junk, best not cover it with a blanket that's too obvious.

 

[hoovermatic]

Spare bags....

....for the Maytag Satellite - I am finding them increasingly difficult to get hold of. There used to be a steady supplier on Ebay but they appear to have disappeared. The only ones I can find now are about £10 - £12 for two which is a bit pricey in my opinion. I am thinking that if I can't source bags cheaper elsewhere, I will have to get a vacuum cleaner for which bags are readily available which will be a shame because the Satellite is an amazing cleaner. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[gorenje]

Hi Lee,

I'm happy you've found what you've been waiting for so long. I also have an old constellation (see picture) and I was also eagerly waiting an eternity to get it.

If you want I can send you for free a couple of paper bags via post. No problem.
But give me one day to find the box in my cellar.

I know this model were made in Perivale, England from 1959 thru 1964. In USA it was launched already in 1954 but our models are European.

Ingemar

 

[gorenje]

here is mine constellation

...I have the gray one

 

[vacbear58]

Connies

Lee

Your constellation is mid 1960s model, actually the sucessor model to the beautiful grey one that Ingemar is showing - that looks like it is new out of the box! The wear that yours is showing is not unusual and hardly surprising for a cleaner 35+ years old. I can recommend the "spa of Bob and Neil" if you need it resparying.

Paper bags are still easily found on ebay or your local friendly vacuum store. Original tools, hoses and wands are also available on ebay, sometimes expensive sometimes not - just a matter of being patient. Once given a brush up and a bit of TLC you will have a lovely quiet and efficient cleaner. By the way when I got a Satellite I compared it with one of my Connies (I have 8 of them!) - actually the same as yours, and actually I was impressed with just how well the older model did, and it was not round my heel every moment either!
Al

 

[hotpoint95622]

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Thanks gentleman

I have found the bags on ebay and will start searching for a floor tool as well.
I’m going to strip the motor down and give it a good clean, and then it’s a paint job some time.

 

[hotpoint95622]

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Maytag Satellite bags, tell me about the price and I also cant find any replacements, I have some of the emergency bags which have an adhesive pad to stick the original cardboard bag collar onto, but I’m getting short of collars as you can only re-use them so many times.

I’ve made one out of a piece of Perspex drilled a hole in the middle and fixed the adhesive pad to that. I am thinking of using a cloth bag, drilling lines of small holes in the Perspex and then stitching the cloth bag to it with strong nylon fishing line..

http://www.vacuumcleanerbags.co.uk/velvac/servlet/VelBags?model_code=1&party_code=UNIVERSL&level=level3

 

[electron1100]

The Best

Hello Lee

Congratulations on getting one of these superb machines, they are easy to work on as they strip down very easily (careful with the spring clip on the end of upper lid hinge pin), and yes parts are available, if your stuck ask me, i have collected loads of bits over the years.

I still use mine as it is an excellent machine and it also shares its name with one of my favourite aircraft (Lockheed constellation)

 

[electron1100]

The Other Connie

Lovely old bird

 

[hotpoint95622]

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Both the machines above look like they have just come out of the factory, wow
Looking at the hoses, I think mine is from something else it is very yellow and doesn’t look like both examples above and isn’t stretchy.

 

[hotpoint95622]

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dusting brush and dog Chewed crevice tool

 

[hotpoint95622]

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inside

I have the filter which has been washed in washing detergents with the filter retaining ring plus the original green metal bag clip.

 

[hotpoint95622]

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Rivet’s missing from extension tubes.

Looks like I have a lot to do.
Just about say I need a replacement hose two extension tubes and the tools to find.

Lots of ebay searching to do then.

Well it’s been in the garage for two days and no one has noticed it yet.

 

[electron1100]

Bits

I can probably help you out on the bits, as regards cleaning them, my hose was the same as yours i just soaked it and the tools in Daz for a few hours and used a nail brush to get any little bits off, ah yeah dont soak the aluminium bits in washing powder, they do clean up, are you sure that last picture is of a Hoover extension hose only it is shiny

 

[vacbear58]

Hose

I doubt very much if that is a Hoover hose, look sliek a replacement to me. Does it have a suction control on it? There are plenty of original hoses around although the hose on the connie was quite long so the only "proper" alternative is a Senior hose, although a Junior one will do too. Its easy enough to detach the ends off an original hose - just a good soak in hot water - almost as hot as you hand can stand. You can wash the hoses in the dishwasher as well, if you have one.

Al