The FRANKENVERTIBLE!

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westytoploader

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Sep 4, 2004
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You guys will never believe this. I saw this on eBay thinking it was a nice 70's rounded-hood Convertible minus the handle grip, and was the only bidder. The total cost ended up being less than $20. When it arrived here, I was mystified. The handle appeared to have not had a handle grip on it during its lifetime, and when I moved the height adjuster, it was a 2-position, even though it had 4 positions on the hood. When I turned the machine over to check the model number, it appeared that someone took a 1010 base, handle, and cord, and put a later hood and floral bag on it! Regardless, it cleaned up nicely and runs great, so now this will be the daily driver in my room. Those 2-position Convertibles are the best for "hugging" the carpet!

Here's a full shot of the Frankenvertible. The white streaks are just light reflections; I shined it up a bit with Liquid Gold before taking pictures.
 
Hmmmm....

Austin,

Definately something not quite right with that Hoover! The 1010 was a Convertible Special, (budget model), from 1968-69 and it's original colors were Spring Green and Seal Griege mixed medium and dark.

However, the one you have has got some 728 drag going on! The 728 was a Deluxe model with the hood that yours has and a headlight. It was pink with taupe trim and dates 1971 to about 1973.

So, I think you have a 1010 base with a 728 hood and bag. I'm not sure about the power cord. The height adjustment is correct for the 728 as the heights are indicated on the hood. A true 728 would have rubber protectors on the height adjuster
and handle release. Yours does not, again indicating the base it from the 1010.

A true 728 would also have the full bumper as I mentioned earlier and a handle grip.

Do we have this figured out now? Jeff, Fred, am I correct?

Frankenvertible? Maybe. I still say a 1010 trying to be a 728 with fairly good drag in it's favor!
 
Even as a mutant...

It's still a very classy vacuum.

When I see mutant Convertibles like that, it's usually a metal base convertible with a replacement 80's hood, and a plain bag that takes type A's now. That one is especially interesting. Still retained it's beauty despite being very different than what it originally was!

Corey
 
end of the 1010's too

Thats definately a 1010, and from towards the end of the run I'd say, as it does not have the silver patent plate, and the model number is stamped in the base.
Here is Sir Jack of Ventura showing off my 1010...
 
Yes, this is definitely a 1010 with a 728 (Camille colored) hood from 1971. The 1010 did not have a headlight...does yours have a headlight? You can even see where the old larger (wider) green hood sat on the base. One wonders why someone would do this as the 1010 is a classy cleaner. I agree with Jeff, yours is definitely in the last of the run in pre November 1968 as this is when the 1010 was out of production.

I am sure that this machine works great. The seal griege medium colored base goes well with the machine. You will get YEARS of use out of this machine. Good find! It did not happen to come out of OH did it?

I have seen MANY of these mismatched machines over the years made from several machines. A good question or new thread might be...Are there any other good mismatched machines out there in people's collections? I will have to see if any are laying around my workshop (reject room). If I can find any, I will post some pictures. It is fun to see what the owners of the machines have done to them over the years out of "thriftiness" or out of "well I can fix that" attitude. The latter usually involves some kind of duct tape! Tape does not belong on a vacuum cleaner!!!!

Great machine...thanks for sharing the pictures.

--Tom
 
isnt photography a bitch? when i saw the first pic i thought, *it cant be 1010, its not dark enough*, but i scroll down, and now i see it IS darker. i bet i wouldnt have been able to tell from the ebay listing either. in any case, its still a VERY attractive color combination, i LOVE the cafe au lait colored convertibles!
 
That's too funny Austin. It looks cool though. I have the actual one that's supposed to have that bag and hood. Kind of wacky but one of my favorites.
 
A lot of vac shops over the years made Frankenvertibles... As they took in trades, they would probably scrap machines, strip them for parts, etc... and make whatever they could to re-sell. That'd be my guess as to how this one came to be.

The 728 is one of my favorites! Such a screaming machine!

~Fred
 
Obviously......

I cant claim to be an expert but I would have said the cord came from the 728- the 1010 cord is Seal Greige and of the shorter 16ft?? length.
Jeff correct me if im wrong but I seem to remember you saying the 1010 you sent me(thanks again for the 100th odd time!)is a pretty early one as unlike this one it has the metal rating plate etc.
Oh and IMHO although the 728 comes a pretty close 2nd, for out and out 70s gaudiness NOTHING can beat the 707 lol!!!!!

Seamus
 
LOL!!!!!

Hey mate

I know it has to be seen in the flesh so to speak- no photo can do that bag justice!. Me thinks Hoovers colour department were on mind bending drugs when they thought that one up!!- still I guess it was 1971!

Seamus
 

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