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Bravo Charlie!

My compliments to you Charlie as you did the 150 justice in explaining all of the features. It was truly ahead of its time and very costly...$79.50 plus $16.50 for the tools. This was a lot of money for 1936! This model also debuted the famous clip on moulded plug embossed with the name Hoover and it was the first model to employ "top" conversion for the cleaning tools so that the user did not have to take off the belt to do above the floor cleaning. Henry Dreyfuss was paid a whopping $150,000 to design the machine and you could buy the machine for $1.50 a week hence the model number "150". When you started working for Hoover in the late 1930's, you bought one of these whether you wanted one or not. They took it out of your paycheck! They made somewhere around 166,616 according to a 1959 source. That is not many considering it had a pretty good run. Compared to the model 61 which had a 4 year run at over 400,000 units, the model 150 is quite rare in my opinion. Yours looks great Charlie...I have to agree with your picks of your favorite Hoover models. They are really a work of art. Thanks for sharing the pictures!!!

--Tom
 
Thanks Tom

I consider you and Jeff the "Hoover Experts" so to pass the test with your kind words is very appreciated. I guess in hindsight, the 150 is rare. Maybe because I have seen so many of them, I forget about the true numbers that are out there.

And Tom, I have to add that the 63 and some of the 800 and 700 series were quite athestically pleasing to the eye as well. I also have a pristine DAM 1140--those colors, just beautiful choices for a household appliance.

It is hard to fathom how much Hoover has changed. I can't even really wrap my mind around it. To be at the pinnacle of design of vacuum cleaners, the apex....the acme....of the industry and now to what we have today. My, my.

Well, I'm glad we get to share here with pictures and ideas. Keep them coming folks!
 
Wow, this thread has bloomed, I've learned so much and now think I should head to the paint store and find a room to paint Neptune Green! You guys have some beautiful cleaners, I have found a few Convertibles over the years at sales but have always passed them on to new, loving homes. I may have to grab one for myself and give them a try. I have two model 61's that I love, the style and cleaning are just amazing.

Fred, what are the prices on the new Hoover ULW models? What are your thoughts on performance with heavy-pile carpets? In a commercial application, I think they would be outstanding.

Charlie, that Citation 64 is just stunning - I love the colors!
 
i am almost sure Dreyfuss designed ALL the Hoovers Charlie showed us. Dreyfuss also designed other household items, such as the old rotary dial phones from the old days.
 
Greg~

The ULWs "retail" for $379 and $279, however--at our store--we offer "trade-in" prices of $299 and $239.

It did a superb job on my mother's frieze and plush carpeting--really brought up the nap, and cleaned it quite well. The pictures speak for themselves.

~Fred
 
Neptune green

Greg I have the paint codes/numbers from the Benjamin Moore store, I also have some of the paint left too, in two shades of neptune green.
Stop passing on those Convertibles, especially the older ones such as the one you brought me. One of those old Convertibles is the vacuum equivalent of an A-806!

David: From what I have researched, Henry Dreyfuss designed Hoover up thru the models 65 & 31 Convertible.
His other accomplishments were the old black desk phone(such as featured on "I love Lucy" and the 20th Century Limited Locomotive.)
 
Now that we have focused on uprights.......

I think tomorrow would be a wonderful day to keep this thread alive with some great canisters! We have seen so many uprights that we can't forget the canister sisters too.

I just got in from flying, (St. Thomas, wooohooo!), and am fried. So, tomorrow when the sun comes out, (Annie where are you?), I'll pull a few beauties from the shelves and share a few pics. Glad so many of you liked my pet Hoovers and they are like children to me, each with their own personalities.
 
Now for the up close and personal.........

The Electrolux 60, post WWII, millions made. This has the optional "companion" too holder, optional cord winder and optional wheels Kind of monster to pull around but still works great. Built like a Sherman Tank, designed to last several lifetimes!
 
Next the 1205

Newly styled by Electrolux after it's takeover by Consolidated Foods, (Sara Lee), it debuted in 1968 and was made until 1972. This power nozzle is from the middle of the production run. Thousands are still used daily all over the world. First lux to have a plastic evacuator--bag cage.

People in the vac business either loved them or hated them. There wasn't too much middle of the road on it.
 
The

Considered by some to be the last "real" lux, it was the last to have a metal body. Great machines that are well built. With the new flexi hose and upgraded brushroll for the power nozzle it is a very good performer. Debuted in the late 80's, I think.
 
Air-Way 88 Mark II

Beautiful turquoise Air-Way that had a long production run. Started with the "88" and the upgraded to the "88 Mark II with a larger motor and optional power nozzle available. Famous for it's extra long hose, an Air-Way feature!

"88" was made 1958 to 1972, the 88 Mark II was 1973 to 1980ish. The gold Mark V came our in 1975 and run till 1981.
 
The Air-Way New Century

Currently called the "New Century" by Air-Way this all metal bodied vacuum is truly the "best bang for the buck". Incredible power with an 11 amp motor, great hose and power nozzle with beater bar. Using the filtrete bags you are cleaning machine!

Great retro deco look too. All that for $525.00 out the door.
 
This sells itself..........

Pretty incredible isn't it? What else can you do this with that is currently on the market?

"Air-Way.........Sanitation to the nation since 1920."
 
Almost forgot............

The Hoover Dimension 1000. IMHO the best canister Hoover made. And yes, I can live with the noise and pulling it around corners! A little bit clunky but a fabulous performer on all types of carpet.
 
Last but not least

A switch back to uprights for what I call Electrolux's, "Don't Let This Happen To You."

Their horribly designed, loud, extremely heavy, poor performer and overall failure, the Electrolux upright.

Kitschy for the collector but a monster for the typical "homemaker" it was catering to in 1976. These models did not last long-------thankfully.
 
One good thing

Was the 4 wheel adjuster for height. The best way to adjust height on vacuums is with all 4 wheels. Singer did it too for a while.

Notice the distance on either side of the brushroll to the edge of the cleaner. You are NOT going to get any closer to the baseboard than about 1 to 1 1/2 inches! And the same between the brushroll and the front. Really poor design.

Must be why they went back to canisters for many years. Even when the next generation of uprights came along, they had lots problems before they finally got right with current Legacy Deluxe and Classic 3000 uprights. But for $1099.99 and $899.99, respectively, it should be right!!
 
Your 1205 Elux looks very similar to the Canadian model AP280 that I have in brown/tan. Actually I quite like using it because it's so hushed.
I don't think I've ever seen an AirWay sold here, not saying they aren't or weren't just haven't seen one. I'll probably get one one day but with us thinking of moving back east I have to cease and desist on vac acquisitions for the moment. I have a Eureka upright coming in the mail the other half don't know about yet.. lol

This is my ugly little Filter Queen model 200A. I'm told the first Filter Queen made. Unfortunately I don't have the original hose or attachments, just replacements, but it runs beautifully, like new. Looks worse in the pic than real life.
 
you sure didnt waste any time Mr Watrous. a friend of mine has tried to sell those old-style Lux uprights, you cant GIVE them away! where does the Air-Way New Century fall on the noise-meter? and if only that deluxe Hoover canister had a swivel handle on the hose!
 
Greg, love the Kirby you found, need one of those for my collection. I'll collect it whenever I make it over your way.

I really like this Royal Electro-Hygiene canister if not just for the blue color and chrome on it. There's no doubt looking at it that it's an Electro-Hygiene either.
 
Noise

brett,
The New Century is relatively quiet and light enough that you can carry it in one hand while vacuuming with the other. It has the wonderful 30 foot cord, (maybe 35?), so you only have to plug it in once or twice. It has the same filters as the senior Air-Ways and a halo for the cord to wrap around.

When you call me Mr. Watrous you make me feel like an old man! Charlie is much better!
 
Electro

Pete,

I love those vacuums! It looks like something you could ride on to the moon. Or like what was dropped out of fighter planes during WW II.

Very cool and no doubt who makes it or what it is.
 
i like to call people Mr. or Ms. all the time. makes me feel very traditional and correct. kinda like in old movies. i have a Joan Crawford library too! Charlie it is! David
 
Fairfax

How is that on cleaning anyway? I have heard mixed reviews. A former Pres of the vac club told not to even bother buying one as he felt they did not clean that well. I have never operated one so I have no idea how the perform.

David,

If you want to call me Mr. that is fine! I just wondered why and now I know. Thanks.
 

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