Hoover Convertible U4003

Even more unusual about this cleaner is that it was imported into the UK also although quite why remains a mystery. This happened around 1975 along with an orange Connie, model 868. Even more surprising is that not only did they import the cleaner, they also imported the toolsets as well - I know this as an uncle bought a 4003 and I had once had cause to use it and saw that it was not the UK tools that it had, although the UK version would surely have fitted.

We have established from the serial numbers that the Connies were built in 1970 (they are "traditional" style not "tilted" Connies) and had the 1960s floor tool but with a metal coupling where it appears plastic had been used on US versions since the late 1960s. This style of floor tool had been abandoned in the early 1970s here when we got a flip over nozzle.

Presumably these were stock although quite why they would have had these machines made in N Canton with 240V motors in 1970 also remains open to conjecture. I might add that, according to discussions in other forums, Australian connies (ie 240V) were supplied in kit form to Fisher & Paykel who assembled them - I understand these to have been of the "tilted" style.

It is a surprise that it was imported at all as, at the same time, two Celebrity models were being imported as well, the air ride and the non PN version with wheels. UK production of the connie resumed and both it and the Air Ride continued on, side by side, until the very early 1980s.

However the 4003 was much later build, I recently purchased one of these from James in Nottingham (it had been on my "want" list for a long time) and its serial number indicates manufacture in November 1974. It may have been with the closure of manufacture at Perivale to tide over supply while manufacturing facilities were established in other factories or perhaps a strike. The UK U4002 was launched here in 1974 (Yellow) and this model appears to slot in for a few months after its launch.

Al


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Post# 96389 4/18/2010 at 14:06 (5,121 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA )
Checkrate/Likes Ive never seen such a cool vacuum CLICK HERE TO GO TO szymonrules's LINK on eBay

Post# 96403 , Reply# 1 4/18/2010 at 15:52 (5,121 days old) by kirbyklassic80 ()
Checkrate/Likes *I saw one before....* When I was 3 I went to my dad's work and they were working on painting and cleaning a room and that's were I saw my first convertible, which was this one only in yellow, not white.

Post# 96406 , Reply# 2 4/18/2010 at 16:21 (5,121 days old) by joe22 ()
Checkrate/Likes im not big on hoover but i got it in orange with a headlight and an orange plaid bad, and lime green without headlight and green plaid bag. i bought them because of the plaid bags. ive seen them in yellow, blue, and red commercial

Post# 96409 , Reply# 3 4/18/2010 at 16:42 (5,121 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield & London)
Checkrate/Likes *Not so much white, more beige* Even more unusual about this cleaner is that it was imported into the UK also although quite why remains a mystery. This happened around 1975 along with an orange Connie, model 868. Even more surprising is that not only did they import the cleaner, they also imported the toolsets as well - I know this as an uncle bought a 4003 and I had once had cause to use it and saw that it was not the UK tools that it had, although the UK version would surely have fitted. We have established from the serial numbers that the Connies were built in 1970 (they are "traditional" style not "tilted" Connies) and had the 1960s floor tool but with a metal coupling where it appears plastic had been used on US versions since the late 1960s. This style of floor tool had been abandoned in the early 1970s here when we got a flip over nozzle. Presumably these were stock although quite why they would have had these machines made in N Canton with 240V motors in 1970 also remains open to conjecture. I might add that, according to discussions in other forums, Australian connies (ie 240V) were supplied in kit form to Fisher & Paykel who assembled them - I understand these to have been of the "tilted" style. It is a surprise that it was imported at all as, at the same time, two Celebrity models were being imported as well, the air ride and the non PN version with wheels. UK production of the connie resumed and both it and the Air Ride continued on, side by side, until the very early 1980s. However the 4003 was much later build, I recently purchased one of these from James in Nottingham (it had been on my "want" list for a long time) and its serial number indicates manufacture in November 1974. It may have been with the closure of manufacture at Perivale to tide over supply while manufacturing facilities were established in other factories or perhaps a strike. The UK U4002 was launched here in 1974 (Yellow) and this model appears to slot in for a few months after its launch. Al

Post# 96410 , Reply# 4 4/18/2010 at 16:43 (5,121 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield & London)
Checkrate/Likes PS There do not seem to that many of these aboutalthough I know Seamus has one as well Al

Post# 96433 , Reply# 5 4/18/2010 at 22:36 (5,120 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes *One of my favorites.* I have 2 of them

Post# 96447 , Reply# 6 4/19/2010 at 02:07 (5,120 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)
Checkrate/Likes *U4003....* Hey Al Mine is indeed November 74- every one ive known mentioned over here is, so presumably only one batch came over. Im glad you got James' as I know you had been after one . With regard to the reason im thinking 1974= 3 day week = not being able to keep up with demand ?????? Just a thought..... Seamus

Post# 96478 , Reply# 7 4/19/2010 at 15:31 (5,120 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)
Checkrate/Likes My grandma had that same one, it then got passed down to my dad when he moved out, and when my mom moved in, she had a new Eureka ESP, so then it got passed down to the dumpster..lol.

Post# 96489 , Reply# 8 4/19/2010 at 21:12 (5,119 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes *DUMPSTER??!!??!!??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!* Oh my! My cousin had one. When I saw it, I knew I must have one. Now, I have one on each floor. A wonderful cleaner. Tacky bag, but, it WAS the 70s I have all 4 models with that "style" bag.