Thread Number: 37941  /  Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
Hoover Convertible Special Model 31 Barn Find 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 404457   1/23/2019 at 10:50 (1,918 days old) by rknarr2 (Morgantown, WV)        

Hi,
I found a Hoover Convertible Special Model 31 Barn Find. Its in bad shape and my mom told me to throw it in the trash. Instead, I decided to do some research and called a local vacuum cleaner shop for more information. In my research, I found an article where the person said this was rare and worth 10x as much as a regular model. The local vacuum cleaner shop owner told me that there are only 100 of these known nationally and that to find one would be like driving a convertible chevy. After he said that he told me that he just fixed vacuum cleaners and was not a vacuum cleaner collector. I told my mom I thought this might be rare and then my mom told me well, just give it away to somebody. However, I decided to sign up for this forum to gather more information about it like what would an average Hoover Convertible Special Model 31 be worth and are they rare? I am not asking what mine would be worth because its not in very good shape and be less than average would be worth. Before I put up pictures, I want to clean it up some and get the cob webs out off it literally. Thank you for your assistance in this request.
Regards,
Robert


Post# 404459 , Reply# 1   1/23/2019 at 11:17 (1,918 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
Hoover Convertible Special Mo 31

 This would be from late 50s and would have been sold by the 1000s all across the US as it was one of the best upright choices.
Is it rare??Yes and no.There are still 1000s of Convertibles.The Mo 31 is more rare in that is the first Special model of the then new Convertible.The Mo 65 and later Deluxe models had headlight and zipper on bag.The 31 is the only convertible,until later commercial models, to have switch on base and not at top of handle
Is it worth 10X as much?Yes and no.(Ever notice how the people who tell what it is worth don't want to pay that.)There are 2 Mo 31s.The first has matching pale green base and the later and more rare has white base.Then you consider completeness and condition.It would be great if it had original box,owners manual and attachment set with matching green lettering but they usually don't.Then look for the original cord with HOOVER molded on the plug.And the original matching bag with Convertible Special lettering and snap fasteners.This could be a great vac to clean and service as parts and supplies are usually available.It might end up Beating,Sweeping and Cleaning a carpet as well as ever.A realistic value might be $20--$80 depending above factors and more.Pictures would help.
Good luck and Happy Hoovering!



Post# 404476 , Reply# 2   1/23/2019 at 16:34 (1,917 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        

dysonman1's profile picture
I love my model 31 and my model 65. The first Convertibles. The model 65, in my opinion, is worth 10 times more than the model 31.

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Post# 404501 , Reply# 3   1/24/2019 at 07:22 (1,917 days old) by vacuumlad1650 (Wauponsee, IL)        

vacuumlad1650's profile picture
They are not the most common Convertible cleaners, but there are other models harder to find, and many easier.
Worth 10 times as much? As we like to say on this website, "An item is only worth as much as any damn fool will pay for it."
I've owned 4 or 5 of these cleaners, I have two of them right now. One is the early style, one later. Both of these have turned up within the last year or so.
You cant use Ebay to judge prices these day...some of those sellers are smoking something pretty strong, and cant seem to figure out why their items sit on there so long.
Really, you are better off fixing it up and using it. Will outsweep any machine made today. If you (or your local shop) wont do it, send me a message and I would be happy to walk you through it, or do it myself. I have rebuilt thousands of cleaners.

Post# 404593 , Reply# 4   1/25/2019 at 15:01 (1,915 days old) by rknarr2 (Morgantown, WV)        
Hoover Convertible Special Model 31 Barn Find

Here are some pics of my Hoover Convertible Special Model 31 Barn Find
As you can see, the outter bag is roached with holes, the paint on the front of the him vacuum has peeled off, the side of the front shield is bent in and the holder of the handle is broken through. Hope these help with the condition of this vacuum
Best regards,
rknarr2


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Post# 404595 , Reply# 5   1/25/2019 at 16:06 (1,915 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Wow! The mice sure had a field day with that vacuum! Sorry to say that that vacuum would only be valuable in good condition. As it is now, it would take a lot of determination (and JB-weld) to even get that vacuum within yards of being back on its feet again. Giving the bag a soak in fabric softener and then patching it up from the inside with some carefully cut to size swimming pool patches might fix the holes. If you can find the specific color matched parts that would be a lot easier.

It is in a beautiful color I cannot deny that, and I'm no stranger to derelict vacuums. I'd love to give it a home if you or your parents are unable to keep it around. I'm afraid I couldn't pay anything but the shipping cost though as I'm not that rich. I'm like that crying Indian from those 1980's commercials on littering when I see a vacuum in the trash bin.


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