When I was about 13-14 or so I started posting on Ivacuumcleaners.com as well as the Hooverland and vintagevacuumdustcollectors Yahoo groups. Around that time there was a Hoover "Custom Convertible" or U4007 on eBay. Well, on one of the Yahoo groups, I forget which, I stumbled across the brochure for the U4007 as well as the "Deluxe Convertible" U4005 (though I didn't know the model numbers then), apparently the lower-tier model. After I saw that I just HAD to have one, in its fab-retro-blue entirety, especially seeing as how that shade of blue is one of my favorite colors, but I digress...

For the next 4 years I kept my eyes peeled on eBay, and while I saw a few U4007s that ended (as usual) out of my price range, there wasn't a SINGLE U4005. I posted a message on Ivacuumcleaners looking for a "Deluxe Convertible" (I know now that was a VERY vague description but that was only how I knew that machine by) and tried to describe it, but other posters thought I was talking about a completely different machine. So, I just figured that it was pretty rare, and just kept wondering if I would ever find one, until a couple of weeks ago. There, on eBay, was none other than a U4005, and not only that but it didn't appear to be in bad shape at all! Thanks to my trusty AuctionSniper I ended up winning it for a reasonable amount; reasonable considering how much decent vintage vacuums are going for these days...

Well, its much-anticipated arrival came today, and I promptly took it apart and gave it a once-over, cleaning it up and greasing the motor and agitator bearings. After a little Mother's mag wheel polish, the hood and rubber bumper cleaned up nicely, and the cord had been taped in two places, but other than that it looks and runs great like a Convertible should and is quite fun to use! I have to say, those early full-hood models with 2 speeds are the best, and now one of my dream machines among many others (!) is present and accounted for, YAY!

Is that not the coolest shade of blue you've ever seen?

Close-up of the base. The Hoover logo is actually painted on.

Deluxe Convertible! In case you were wondering, no, there's no headlight or handle grip. Still very cool nonetheless.

The underside. 2 speeds, rear conversion!

It is a 4-position...

On and ready to clean!

Hey Austin

I find it odd that its a Deluxe Convertible and yet it has no headlamp or grip. Going on the model # im guessing its one of the 1st models to use this design Hood and from the same series as the U4003(of which I have a UK spec 240v example). The lens on mine is plain, but I believe US models had Custom Convertible on the lens?????. Given that the U4003 has both a headlamp and handle grip, as does the U4007 It would appear that Custom Convertibles were actually more Deluxe than the Deluxe models lol!!!!.

Jeff, Tom , Fred any ideas guys????

Seamus

Congratulations on getting it. It's actually sort of common that the "deluxe" model whether it was 1950's automobiles or white goods, was the lowest priced model in the lineup. Makes for more ad worthiness and/or "feel good" to the buyer who wouldn't or couldn't buy the next level up, at least they didn't get the cheapest, they got the "deluxe" (even if it was the cheapest)

Congrats Austin.. isn't it fun to find one you have been looking for for a long time! Looks like a fun machine, love the color. I'm home at my parents house now for the holidays bored out of my mind already.. hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, looking forward to meeting you after the first of the year.

Derreck :)

Congrats Austin on your new Hoover Convertible. These still clean carpet like nothing else. I am adding a pic of the "full hood" line from 1973. From left to right U4007, U4005, U4003, and U4009. Your U4005 was "stellar blue", had a 17 ft. cord, used 3.6 Amps, and weighed 17 pounds. It was discontinued in 1975 and was sold at discount stores like Kmart etc. Usually you could get them for around $50 sometimes with the standard 1031 tool set included in the deal. Again Congrats on the new find. Yours looks to be in top condition without the usual gouges. Thanks for the pics.

--Tom

It's always nice to find a machine you've been after for years. And so close to xmas too!

Tom, what's the difference between the four 1973 models apart from hood and bag design, and the provision of a headlamp? Over here we only ever had one Convertible type cleaner on the market at a time, apart from various department store or mail order specials.

Si

Hey Seamus that's the model I sent Richie last year and I also sent the same model with the headlight too to Richie

Si...the no headlight models had a shorter cord and a snap vinyl jacket instead of a zipper. The copper colored one had a handle grip where the blue one did not. Other than color and these small differences there really was no difference in cleaning ability. They all four had the good 2 speed Hoover motor. They even all used the same chasis and brush roll. The headlight models were much more expensive...near $100.

--Tom

What's an "AuctionSniper"????

is when someone bids on an item within the last SECONDS to "steal" the bid. This is often not wanted by many people, but it helps US to win bids too. However, this AuctionSniper seems to be a computer program to bid at the last second however much you wish to pay. I personally don't like these machines, just beacause I have lost so many bids because of them. But not vacuum cleaners. Just other collections, like Geiger counters (Civil Defense). Hope that clears it up :-).

beacuse of that very thing happenen while I watched Was not a happy vacuumer!