Large Australian Hoover Top Loader

[premier500]

I am currently involved in making up a display showing the progression of the design of the Australian made large Hoover top loading auto washers. I have all models except the very first which was known as the 500 series and was produced in the late 60's, early 70's. My main area of interest is the control enclosure as the remainder of the machine was visually common with the later models which I already have. Does anyone have a control enclosure or a complete machine please? Preferably in the Sydney region. I would be happy to pay a modest sum for the desired parts/machine but would prefer to swap for parts. I have a lot NOS AND S/H parts for Hoover machines. Thanks, Phillip.

 

[hoovermatic]

What were the Hoover models that had impellers as opposed to agitators? I stayed with an aunt in Perth in 1988 and she had one. Thanks.

 

[gizmo]

The only top load automatic that had an impeller was the Hoover Cadet. It wasn't really a Hoover, it was a rebadged Sanyo. It was a really tiny machine, very light weight with a plastic top - is that the one?

chris.

 

[hoovermatic]

That's the one - I remember the name Cadet now. I have often puzzled over that one!! At the time, having never seen anything like it, it did seem big but you are right, it was small in comparison to other machines. When I lived in Sydney we had a GE machine with an impeller that was about the same size. From what I remember of it, it was a very good machine and if I had room for one now, I would get one! Thanks

 

[premier500]

Sorry Chris but I have to disagree, Hoover sold two machines made for them by Sanyo, both used pulsators in the bottom of the tub. The smallest was the Cadet as you stated, the larger was the first Premier. Both Japanese machines were styled and coloured to match in with the then current 800 series large top loaders. These machines were only sold for a few years (1982 to 1985 from memory) to fill a gap between the not very successful front loader which was introduced in about 1978 and the Hoover produced Premier which was released (prematurely) in April 1985. The Sanyo and Hoover Premiers were the same size and similar shape and had some similar components such as the lid and some suspension parts. The Premier was introduced to compete in the medium sized market that Simpson had created when they introduced the Delta 10.

 

[hooverzodiac12]

ones like this?

View attachment 8-9-2007-06-12-22--hooverzodiac12.jpg

 

[gizmo]

the Premier dind't have a pulsator, it had an agitator. A very flat agitator, but it had a centre post so in my book that means it wasn't a pulsator.
Hitachi used to call them "pul-gitator" as it was a cross between a pulsator and an agitator.

The Premier had a fantastic wash action, pity so many of its components were made of cheese and fell to bits.

Chis.

 

[gizmo]

sorry, I have re-read your post - are you saying that there was an imported machine, made by Sanyo, that was badged as a Premier, before the Australian made Premier? It had a flat pulsator? I have certainly never seen one.

Chris.

 

[arrrooohhh]

Im so surprised!

Im surprised Gizmo you have never come accross the impeller Premier.

Here is a picture of one.

 

[arrrooohhh]

And this is the impeller inside.

 

[arrrooohhh]

Phillip, you display sounds very interesting. Sorry I dont know who could help you out with a Hoover 500. Quite a few months ago there were two for sale on Ebay. I saved the pictures. I have two 70's Simpsons but dont have much room for anything else. Funny enough the Hoover 500's sold quite quickly.

 

[mickeyd]

Like so many things Australian, your washers are so unusal a

I go nuts with lust wanting to see and touch--look at those controls, look at those big bars of sayings, and a PULGITATOR--I'm begging for a picture.

 

[mayfan69]

Nathan and I bought a Hoover 520 on Ebay

Hi Phillip,

Hoover 500's do come up on ebay every now and then, Nathan (Brisnat) and i co-purchased one on ebay a few months ago, which is now residing at Nathan's place.

The other alternative is to advertise in your local papers in the Wanted section for one. That is how i have been lucky enough to find many of the machines i have and all of them are in working order.

Hope that helps
Cheers
Leon

 

[hoovermatic]

Thats the one my aunt had, same colour and controls but that is bigger I guess as she had the Cadet model. Would LOVE one of those Premiers!!!

 

[premier500]

Hoover on Ebay

Thanks for the tip about Ebay Leon, I had a look, there are many recent machines of course and a lone 600 series. I did not think people would put older machines up for auction so I had not considered looking.
I want the 500 series to make a display for the industrial design department at the university I am attending as a mature age (read old)student. The 500s were made under licience from the Blackstone corporation in the U.S., I don't know if the control enclosure was a Blackstone design or not, if anyone can help with info on this one it would be appreciated. The 600s were designed in Australia by an industrial designer by the name of Peterr Bailey, the 700s were designed by a company called Design Resources, the 800s and later models were in house Hoover designs. This is the information I have so far, taken from peoples memories, so it may not be totally accurate- comments welcomed.
It is council clean up week in our area at the moment so I am seeing if I can find a 500s this way first. I did find an early Australian 510 Premier in reasonable condition which I have the parts to fix up. Thanks for your post, Phillip.

 

[premier500]

Premier pictures

Thanks for your pictures arrrooohhh, if you still have this machine I have parts lists and exploded diagrams for the Premier and Cadet. If you would like them I would be happy to pass them on for the postage cost. They consist of 5 and 3 pages of A4 sized paper. I also have a very limited number of new parts, if you need something give me a post. Regards, Phillip.

 

[premier500]

Premiers in U.K? for 'hoovermatic'.

Sorry hoovermatic, Premiers were not exported to the UK as far as I know, some were made with the UK plug for Asia, Hong Kong etc. (dangerous weapon that plug, you could kill someone if you swung it around on the end of the cord). However the larger top loader was exported to the UK in limited numbers as a semi commercial machine for small nursing homes etc. It was sold under various names, the only one I can remember is 'Sapphire'.
As an aside the Premier was sold in New Zealand under its own name and also as a Fisher and Paykel, would one of these be collectable? Regards, Phillip.

 

[hoovermatic]

My aunt lives in Perth which is how I came to see the machine.

 

[hoover525]

How'd you go with your display

Hi Phillip, how was the display? Did you end up finding a 500?

Would love to see any pics of the line up!

Thanks,
Erik