Hello everyone! Recently, I have really loved the really old vacuums, especially the pre-war machines. I think it'd be really neat to have a thread just for pictures...since we all love pictures! :-) Anyways...just to get it started...here's the Special Model N!

~~K~~

My website's the best place to go if you want to see my machines, but I'll post some pictures here too if you want!
Firstly, Models 450, 800 and 925:

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here is my Hoover model 700 from 1928....I have tons of other pre-war machines but this one is my favorite.....

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(Thanks to Seamus for this one!) :)

I've had no luck finding any and I as a general rule won't pay more than $20 for a vacuum which rules out Ebay with shipping etc.

Very nice, ya'll! I love those Hoovers! How ironic is it that most of us own pre-war Hoovers, and not others? I guess they were pretty popular!! :-)

~~K~~

One seriously durable cleaner!

Here is my Hoover model 300....

Does anyone have any ads or pics of the years between 1910 and 1920? These are wonderful, I never get tired of seeing them, thanks for posting.

Pre WW2

I have pictures from my hoover special (N?) book from about 1918 if you want to see those.

For now my most complete pre-war Hoover, a model 541.

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Just BEAUTIFUL machines ya'll have!! All of these are just amazing! I like that 541 a lot! And I have always enjoyed the 150. I think I will have to start a thread with Dreyfuss designs...:-)

~~K~~

Lux1521, the 1918 pictures would be great. As beautiful as the '20s Hoovers are, the 10s to '20 models aren't real visible. Thank you.

Coming right up! I'll start a different thread so I don't take over this one. By the way, I also posted a solution to your golden j hose problem in the contemporary forum if you haven't been there already.

It won't let me in yet, the 1401-B thread.

Oh, I don't mind ya'll changing this topic around a bit! Seriously! I think it's just fun to see some old vacuums, as many people are just interested in new machines. Anyways, feel free to post any kind of old pictures here!

~~K~~

Two of my PRE-WAR! Sorry about the picture size. :<

Ok - enough with the Hoovers LOL. There were alot of other vacs made pre war too. This picture is of a Goblin T-2 Stationary Cleaner (Translation - Central Vacuum) from the 1930's. The cart its sitting on isnt original, of course, as it would have been sitting on the floor in the basement of a house and had a short hose connected to the metal piping that ran throughout the house. Unfortunately I've never found the wands, rug nozzle, small nozzle or crevice tool. I suspect the hose was originally cloth covered but that has long since disappeared. Its interesting to note that it came with a felt brush for hardwood floors and two different sizes of floor brush. Anyone else have more information or pics about this machine?

My Model V -- see link

Model XI -- see link

Electrolux XII

See link -- scroll down to bottom

I don't guess there's any need to post the XXX since it's such a known machine.

One of my favorite pre-war vacs in my collection is my Hoover 475. It was given to me in March by Tom Anderson, then Charles Lester gave me an original bag for it. Top left is a close-up of the bag, showing a repair made by my wife, Lena. Top right is the 475 with the bag that was on it when Tom gave it to me, a genuine Hoover replacement bag. Bottom right is with the original bag installed and ready for carpet cleaning, and bottom left ready for above the floor cleaning with original hose and converter also from Tom Anderson, and upholstery nozzle swiped from my 28.
If this works out I might have a few more photos to post.
Jeff

Such a beautiful machine. I love the way the red on the bag matches the red on the front of the vacuum.

Here's a photo of my 541. This is how it looked when I first got it, before polishing. Although I haven't taken any "after" pictures yet, it can be seen in a couple of the photos in the threads of the North Canton mini-meet back in August.
Jeff

Here's another shot of the 541. A slightly unusual one, it has a polished aluminum motor cap instead of black, and has a headlight. I found out it was rebuilt in 1929, so I'm assuming these updates were done at that time. It's also a complete set, with cleaning tools and an instruction book.
Jeff

Terry,
Thank you for the compliment. However, I guess the photos didn't quite do it justice, as what you saw as red is actually orange, on the bag, the badge, and the motor cap. But I do agree, I love the way they all match.
Jeff

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Well, since we're on the 475...!

Well, all I can say is...those are some beautiful vacuums...and Charles...that 541 is AMAZING!! Is that 100% original? That is just simply amazing...

You must know that the "coffee can" Hoovers are my favorite. I also enjoy the Dreyfuss machines. Just the look of both kinds intrigue me. Alrighty, well, this thread turned out better than I thought! So many pictures and such beautiful machines!!

~~K~~ :-)

Left to right (and not in order of production)
475
450
425
543
541
800
925

And the floor nozzle of the Airway is creeping in in the bottom left-hand corner!

543's in as-bought, totally unrestored condition. A project for the Christmas holidays! The 541's survived in good condition - it only needed a good clean-off!

Some previous restorations:

Here is the model 25 from 1937-1938. This is the makeup of 3 or 4 of these. I am still looking for an original bag! It runs like a champ.

--Tom

Here is the US version of the 160. This is the Hoover model 150...could it be because the machine would cost you $1.50 per week on credit? Or was it so named because a certain famous industrial designer was paid $150,000 to style the machine? I will let you decide. The original cost was $79.95 in 1936. The model 60 replaced it in 1940. Oh by the way this one cost me all of $3 in 1997 at a local barn sale. The way you see it is how I found it all those years ago!

--Tom

This is the model 26 sometimes known as the "Ensemble in Brown" from 1938 to 1941. This was the first US Hoover to not have the handle "fork". Usually these have hood damage where the rubber strip runs down the middle. This one is very much intact and even sports the lady's initials on the handle bail. This was a dealer option during the holidays. The machine was then gift wrapped in cellophane. Again...this one was cheap...free! I found it along with the tools and hose in a junk pile by the road. It looked like they gutted the house and threw out everything. This one did not run well so I replaced the motor. It is like brand new!

--Tom

The 305 is often overlooked. It ran from 1938 to 1945. These were supposedly built in very limited numbers during the war. It has fixed rear wheels and the belt has to be removed to put on the tools. This one was made in the aluminum chasis and steel chasis depending on the availability of materials during the war. The 305 has the distinctive "HOOVER" embossed in the hood.

--Tom

The model 60 replaced the famous 150 in 1940 and ran until 1942. It had a very short run so these are hard to find. The 61 that was made after the war was much more popular and had a longer run. The main difference between the two is that the model 60 had the unique handle release on the grip. The 61 had the conventional toe handle release pedal. The 60 was designed to get under low furniture. It came with the Hygiensac disposable bags that could be reused a few times before throwing it out. This was later named "Handisac" and later still Type "W" bags. The shake out bag was an optional feature on the model 60.

--Tom

This is a closeup of the model 60's handle grip showing the release lever....

Do you have a manual for your 305? I have one and I'd be happy to scan it for you if you don't. Let me know!

Jack

Yes...I have one for both machines. I just did not photo them. Thanks for the offer!

--Tom

I'm scanning it anyway, so if anyone wants to see, let me know and I'll post it in the forum.

Made from 1938-45

First serial no: 3,280,001
Last serial no: 3,659,624

So total number manufactured = 379,641 ??

Or have I got my maths wrong? lol