Hoover convertible, vintage?

[jasonl]

I was at my aunt and uncle's house today and found they're using a Hoover Convertible. I don't have a pic but I can kinda describe it. It had a metal handle. The body was light blue and the bag was light blue with a kinda plaid pattern on it. Is there any way to tell its age? It definitely looks old but I"m not sure how old. I don't know vacuums like I know washers.

 

[hoover1060]

yes... its snap on the latex glove, its internal exam time

First is the base(chassis) plastic or metal?
The model number is also helpful.
Double, triple, or quadruple digits(no letters) would mean a 1960's or early 70's model, and made mostly of metal.
U4000 series were middle 70s' mostly metal
U4100 series were later 70's and early 80's - metal and plastic
U4300 series were early-middle 80's mostly plastic
U4400/U4500 were late 80's early 90's - mostly plastic

I skipped U4200 because that was the non-powerdrive Concept One series.

 

[brettsomers]

im envisioning a metal chassis, square hooded model with the wide-top bag and C bag setup. and headlight too. (or maybe a full hood?)

 

[jasonl]

Headlight

Yes it has a headlight.

Can someone show me pictures of different year convertibles? Then I can identify it.

 

[hoover1060]

How close is this one?

Model U4099 from 1976, it has a headlight, is blue, and the plaid bag...

 

[jasonl]

I'll venture to say it's like the dark blue one at the bottom.

 

[scott55405]

The denim one is fun, Jason. I have one too that was the first Hoover in my collection. I'd seen it one day at an estate sale and mentioned it to Jeff Parker, who instructed that I return post-haste and pick it up, which I did.

 

[brettsomers]

U4099

thats a very nice Convertible. is it rear-conversion? original-style motor? nice color too. saw one once in the repair grouping at a vac shop.

 

[compactc9]

It uses the nozzle plate converter.

 

[hoover1060]

BUT Jason

The denim Convertible does not have a headlight...

David, the U4099 is late 1976, it replaced the Bicentennial model. I can't remember if its front or rear conversion, but it is two speed, high performance, with a plastic fan.

 

[jasonl]

I'll have to take a picture of it next time.