Question for Westytoploader!

[gyrafoam]

Have you seen a Westy product called a "converto-vac"? I have a friend who is looking for one. Says they were around in the late 60's or so. He helped a friend set up a successful vacuum cleaner store here in Atlanta--sells all the top end stuff. He also gets some really interesting trades----. Thought you might know the answer. Thanks! -Steve

 

[veg-o-matic]

I am not Westytoploader. I don't even play him on TV!

I've got an old Consumer reports that has a brief report on the Converto Vac. If you want, I can try to dig it up. If memory serves, they weren't particularly impressed.

 

[gyrafoam]

Reply to Veg-O-Matic

Thank you, I would appreciate it if you could dig up that article. My friend is hot to try and find one, maybe the article will cool his jets a little! -Steve

 

[westytoploader]

Wow, those Converto-Vacs are RARE!! Unfortunately, like the Philco Automagic and Control Towers, it was a good idea but the design never caught on and was ahead of its time. You could say the Converto-Vac was the Sanyo Transformax of the 1960s, except in a more full-sized version! I last saw one on eBay in 2002, and it went for more than $300. Needless to say vacuum collectors are practically fighting over them and they're becoming even rarer by the minute.

Now for the details (if memory serves...):

The Converto-Vac was built on a basic square canister platform, however, it also had a built-in power nozzle and even a headlight, which explains the "brushes under the wheels." The bags were in the compartment like a canister of that time, so it looked like an upright with no outer bag! It was also clean-air I believe. If the user wanted to use the tools he/she put the hose in the canister (not sure whether it was the front or back) and I think even the handle came off like the Kirby machines. I saw an ad for one on eBay from 1965, however I can't find any now or any pictures from vacuum cleaner Yahoo groups, otherwise I'd point out to you what it looks like. A very peculiar-looking machine...

Anybody have any more information on these, pictures, etc?

--Austin

 

[gyrafoam]

Reply to Austin

Thank you for your reply! I will call my friend in the morning and read your response to him (he has no computer). He is just as you said---hot to find one of these things and already has quite a formidable collection. He already has his bill-fold out for when he finds one! Best wishes! -Steve

 

[veg-o-matic]

Found it!

Here's a scan of the review from the March, 1967 Consumer reports.

 

[veg-o-matic]

Let's try again!

Okay, HERE'S the scan!

 

[gyrafoam]

Reply to Veg-O-Matic

Thank you so much for going to all that trouble. I have printed a copy of all this to take to my friend. I am sure he will be thrilled to know that others know what he is looking for. Best wishes! -Steve

 

[kenmore1978]

Converto-Vac

So it sounds like CR thought it was an OK machine, and the drawbacks they pointed out weren't too bad.