Hoover Portable Vac

[yogitunes]

was always intrigued by one of these, and while walking the local flea market, found one for 7.00....surprised all parts are there, it works flawlessly, and just a unique compact unit...

what I really like is all the parts/tools store inside, ready when you need them, and they wont get lost....

it uses the same bag as my Constellation (bag J, although found a few others that have the same slot fitting)...there was also another filter that covered the opening to the motor, not sure if their still available....

I remember these as a kid, when the store would demonstrate picking up a bowling ball, and that you could hold it for a long time without burning out the motor...

one thing I love about these older units, granted you know the motor is on, but not excessively loud, and the suction noise coming from the floor nozzle.....you dont find that too often today....

 

[ea56]

Wow Martin, what a score! That is a very cool Hoover vacuum. I've never seen one ot these machines completely, inside and out. Thanks so much for sharing the great photos.
Eddie

 

[iheartmaytag]

I have always wanted one.

My Aunt used to have one of those. She would never let me play with it. They are trending on ebay for upwards of $100.

 

[petek]

As cool as they are they are akin to dragging a concrete block on a rope across many carpets. The weight along with the tiny wheels causes them to sink down in to the nap. Nothing "roll easy" about it.  The slimline model had the same problem even though it was somewhat lighter. 

 

[twintubdexter]

what a fun thing!

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">"Portable Cleaning Center"...you gotta love that! Sounds like something General Electric would use.</span>

 

[circlew]

Nice vac, Yogi. My friends Fred & Donna got one of these for a wedding gift when they married in Oct. '74.

 

[yogitunes]

yeah, I seen them ebay too.....and pricey at that, some with cracked lids, or missing pieces...

and your right too on the weight, for the most part you only use it on low pile carpet or plain flooring....

after I got it, headed back to the car, at first it was like carrying a suit case, 3/4 of the way there, was thinking, man, this thing is heavy....didn't want to roll it across asphalt taking a chance of ruining the wheels......

in thinking ahead of its time, a retractable handle, similar to whats on suitcases, would probably make it easier to roll around, or tag along with you while vacuuming....

its still fun to use.....

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Oh, NICE score Martin!

 

[fan-of-fans]

I think yours is one of the later models, because of the square logo and the floor tool looks like a later one as well.

I have a Slimline, lime green color. Basically the same base and motor as this but without the plastic case on top. Just has a cardboard cover over the motor with holes for the crevice tool and dusting attachment. And it just has a round screen over the fan, there's no filter like yours has.

I don't believe the cardboard filter is available anymore - I heard one could be made with cardboard like what comes in dress shirt packaging.

One tip that may be helpful - the little foam filter in the exhaust door was gone on mine. I bought a pack of electrostatic cut to fit filter material at Home Depot. It was meant to go in floor vents, but it was just the right thickness to fit in that exhaust door perfectly after I cut it to the right size.

 

[petek]

I'm far from being a Hoover vac expert but I seem to recall that there was a lesser version of this that did not have the auto cord reel. You had to wrap it up manually inside the lid or something. 

 

[launderess]

Actually think may have those filters

Well at least a few NOS bags. Offered them up sometime back and usual heard nothing but crickets: http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?69328

 

[tolivac]

Have two Hoover vacuums like that-Gifts from the vac shops--strangely BOTH of mine have BLOWN motors!

 

[yogitunes]

this uses an unusual motor filter....no part number on it....I have tried cleaning the best I could, and possible to pull out the staples, and replace with some sort of foam filter if needed....

 

[yogitunes]

TV commercial.....

 

[countryguy]

This vac came in many different colours. And there was a version without the cord rewind as well as a version that had large diameter rear wheels which made it much easier for pulling around on deeper pile carpeting.

 

[thespiritof76]

That one is very Nice!

It is from about 1973, it is in Regal brown and oyster white. I have that Portable, as well as the matching Power Drive Dial.A.Matic.

The first model in Garland green and Pearl White was introduced in 1962, and the Portable ran up until 1978, or even early 1979. I will post some literary goodies for you, as well as pictures of my 1962 Portable.

 

[thespiritof76]

Now, here are....

The pics of the 1962 model 2100 in Garland Green. The things that make this one special besides being the flagship model of the series is the odd step on, push switch (the only Hoover portable to have this before they just used the typical toggle switch), also it has the early wand like the Constellation, and lastly it has "Hoover" Embossed in the plug (also the only portable to feature that).

 

[panthera]

We have a Model 2100

In that not-quite pure green and I love it. Super strong motor, extraordinarily well built. I changed out the filters for the same type of cut-to-fit foam our local vacuum shop uses when they repair machines for which nothing is available. No idea where they get it, but it has held up well.

Love the suction, don't mind that it weighs several hundred kilos. Had Hoover continued to build this sort of quality, they'd still be Hoover and not the Queen of cheap Plastique they are, today.