Retro Hoover Constellation 867A Floating Vacuum Cleaner From 1980 Unboxing & First Look

A long video this one, but I do take it apart a bit so you can see what makes this old girl suck and blow. This is the Hoover Constellation, an iconic all metal Hoover vacuum cleaner that floats on a cushion of air.
This late model is in pretty good condition and looks even better now after I gave it a clean and polish. The suppressor has been removed so I can clean to my hearts content without fear of the thing going BANG!
There’s more to come including a proper demo, so please subscribe for more floating vacuuming fun.

[@user-bu7jl6zy5d]

I'm an American. My mother bought one of these around 1961 to 1963. It worked perfectly. Around 1970 we bought her an expensive top-of-the line Hoover upright. The new one did not outperform the Constellation. In fact we all preferred to use the "floater." In 1982 it was still working perfectly. I meant to buy it from my father, did not do so, and where it went I do not know. I never forgot what a great appliance it was, and though I now own a superb Oreck, I still wish I had the Hoover Constellation.

[@blueluny]

Them: "what did you do during the virus pandemic?" Me. "Subscribed to a KZbin channel about Hoovers".

[@dshe8637]

I'm amazed they were still making them in the 80s! I have just inherited a 1960s one. Such a cute appliance

[@gmwilson9311]

I've got one...60years old and still working. Comes out each time a new one packs up, and off we go again.

[@marcse7en]

Why do you keep buying a "new one?" ... That's why your Constellation is one year younger than I am? Because you rarely use it? You use the "new one" instead! 🤣

[@rodadams8422]

I remember my dear old mum had one of these. It may of been basic but boy thay new how to make them in those days great video thanks for sharing 😃👍

[@majesticlioness9763]

This lil vacuum is so cool,I never knew there were floating vacuums like this from the past..

[@user-bu7jl6zy5d]

My mother had one that she bought in the very early 1960's which worked perfectly. It was still working in 1982.

[@daviniahoughton8470]

Great memories as we used to have one

[@adampoll4977]

I don't know why I started watching this.... but I'm glad I did :)

[@manFromPeterborough]

Back in my hard rubbish days in the 90's, I found a Constellation in the hard rubbish without the hose kit, when my Hitachi 1400 blew up, the hose from that fitted the Constellation. I wrongly thought it was meant to have a clip on wheels set and having no clearance would impede the exhaust

[@blueluny]

Cant believe that works. It's brilliant (on a very limited sample of flooring types I imagine).

[@smorgasbroad1132]

We had one like this when I was a kid. It didn't float actually- but moved effortlessly across the carpet.

[@hibtl8510]

ive had mine for two jenerations my hose is on the top and its a lovely blue

[@neilmansfield8329]

Beautiful vacuum cleaner

[@jgreen5820]

My mum had this model in early 1970s, was still on the go years later.

[@pleunig]

Hi Roger. Love your channel. In Australia we had a “Super Constellation” after the Constellation. The whole cleaner body was tilted forward on the base so that a tool holder fitted on the rear. It was a two tone dar red colour. I don’t have any pics unfortunately. It had a stronger motor I think. The tools were the same as in this video.

[@glynroberts8832]

Thank you for showing us this Roger. Really enjoyed it. Sorry about sloppy but there is always one.

[@ibaisaic]

Sloppy has been trolling for a while, but tonight was the last straw

[@glynroberts8832]

@@ibaisaic he must be related to rusty. Lol. Everyone else enjoy your video though. Wish everybody could show respect to each other in the comments.

[@lkwhynot]

Love your socks!!!

[@nonelost1]

Great video! At 18:34...You oughta wear a dust mask when working on vacuums, and also when vacuuming, to protect your lungs. Also, to protect your hearing, it is wise to wear ear muffs or ear plugs when vacuuming. 24:30...She's a runner! My family had a teal colored square bodied Hoover canister from 1957 (I believe), which I FOOLISHLY threw away around 2012 to get rid of clutter. It had been sitting in Dad's garage for many years as it was all worn out. I did not even bother plugging it in to flip the metal toggle switch on, to see if the motor worked. But now, even if it didn't, I would give it away to a vintage vacuum collector. It had an exhaust port to plug in the hose to use as a blower. Your explanation in this video at last reveals why they don't make them like that anymore. Well, I figure maybe I atoned for that by having salvaged 30-40 vacuums from our apartment (flats as you call them in the UK) dumpsters since 2014. The few that I could not make usable I gave to the local Goodwill for scrap. These are all cheap vacuums made in the last 10-20 years mind you. But I observed that even they will last awhile if treated and cared for right. Yesterday, I gave away three more vacuums to the Goodwill. I'm now releasing "Vacuum Competition" Parts 1-6 on KZbin to describe how these (along with my orange Hoover canister #S1361) compare sweeping up flower dust.

[@hippymoonchild]

A friends elderly neighbour had one of those , and also a Vax 121 , one of the later 121's c1989-82. I did ask if I could have the Vax if it's working, as they were in a skip, as he moved into residential care. My friend, did think the Constellation might be a good vacuum for her elderly aunt to use, but we thought parts for it might be obsolete, this was 2007. I didn't know there was a Maytag Satellite based on the Constellation at the time . I happened to find Vacuum Mad 8's channel by chance, and enjoyed their videos. Don't start me collecting vacuum cleaners as I don't have the room , just have room for my Vax, and a Miele S716. The Miele was on Freecycle.

[@ChadQuick270W]

I’m enjoying your channel with the vintage vacuum cleaners. I have a Eureka canister vacuum cleaner that was purchased new in 1970 and still use it on a regular basis. Even here in the USA it’s getting difficult to find genuine Eureka H style bags. Genuine Hoover bags seem to still be somewhat more common here. 👍

[@niftyspock]

My grandpa had this vacuum for years

[@redsteam1]

So cool!!! How's it work on very low pile carpet and hardwood floors? Thanks for putting this out there

[@bexleydragon5294]

Making me feel old as the hills How dare you! 😁 They don't make em like this anymore Built to last and to be repaired easy ☺

[@loucrappi5869]

Remember our years ago they brought it back. Vacuum what they should have done is made a powerhead for that vacuum plus a junior mate for that vacuum they would have probably sold a lot more and advertise more colours for the time I would have definitely brought one if it was like that

[@ibaisaic]

We had the new version in the UK but it was called Maytag Satellite. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIbIqHWFg896d8U

[@davedebang-bang6168]

Really nice example roger. I’ve only got one now. The blue and white one It’s a refurbed model by Jax vacs Never been used since it was reconditioned.

[@edithbiles7481]

I had one,i loved it..

[@whatsup5794]

Making such a vacuum cleaner in 1950 is a great engineering marvel.

[@DanielRLuke]

Right up there with Sputnik, I'd say.

[@pikminleo6947]

I had a Hoover constellation but when I was using it in my room the fuse blown and it almost caught fire it's been in my attic for AGES now

[@ibaisaic]

It is probably the suppressor that has blown. Once removed, you may find the vacuum works again.

[@Grahams-Grass]

Love the way it floats .I mean what a great idea.... my mum had one 😀

[@grooveyman]

Had one of these. Unfortunately it did not float across tiled floors, which made it frustrating to use, as modern homes in Australia have lots of tiles.

[@Ady-]

Believe my mum wanted one of these when they’re were new

[@Thevacomaticvacuumcorner]

you know for the age of the machine seems to work just fine ! a lil clean and a polish and she will work amazing and look the part

[@nickblackburn1903]

Hi Roger talking about suppressors, would a 1960's Hoover 417g cylinder vacuum have one? This constellation is a lovely looking thing, thanks.

[@Grahams-Grass]

I would like to see you do the refurbishment .

[@robquinton9835]

i remember 1 of these,my mother had 1

[@davidcottle7346]

Why isn’t this a thing anymore lol

[@philliphurley3883]

Roger the digit afrer the model number is the year. It is from 1980.

[@ryanhawkins1235]

I believe Sam says they are easy to HepaFlo then you would have great filtration.

[@LemLTay]

Roger, with a machine where a wire has to be wound up around the vacuum's body itself, I was told to do it in "twos"; the instruction I was given by a repairman was to bring the plug end to the cord protector or where the cord exits the machine's body, then wind up the cord, with each coil being a double strand of electrical cable. Not only was this faster, but the theory I was told was that should the winding twist the wires inside one part of the cord one way, its parallel portion would twist the other way, minimising the harm done to the cable. Any theories on this?

[@chriswagner3043]

My great grandma dee had one of those

[@Thevacomaticvacuumcorner]

i would say try to make a fleece bag for it from a henry hepa flow bag would really wake it up

[@DanielRLuke]

This guy is more afraid of vacuum cleaners than most cats.

[@ibaisaic]

If I was that afraid I wouldn’t have owned several hundred of them.

[@ozziecurwood8461]

I have got one and I'm doing it up with my dad what colour do you think I should do it thank you keep up with the great work thanks 😀😍

[@angeryitalianchef7251]

White on top and your favorite color on bottom.

[@williamvaszocz1150]

Dont think I have seen a supressor (noise capacitor) fitted to US machines.

[@coled5090]

Interesting these were made nearly 10 years later in UK than they were in the States. I believe our last ones were in 1975 or so, and never had that rocker switch. Also, ours did not have a diffuser.

[@gattostrafatto8076]

I opened my 867A a while ago and found a 1977 suppressor... I suppose they went all the way to the 80s

[@philliphurley5341]

Was still being made in 1980.

[@suesinclair787]

I have a 1950s hover round cylinder hoover, I need the tools? Please can you help me.

[@caleb2451]

what vacuum cleaner did you use to clean out the inside of the constellation

[@Skatamari]

Hi there! I just recently got a working Constellation. It behaves as expected but I've noticed that the base gets really hot after a minute or two of work. If I turn it off and then on again, the motor will get louder and louder. I've checked the insides of my Constellation and everything seems to be in place. Do you have any advice on what could be causing this or is this something that should be happening? I have no idea of the recommended duration for a vacuuming session using Constellations, if such a thing even exists.

[@deedee-tc4fh]

It sounds like the bearings might be on there way out also always replace the filters as there should be one inside near the motor this where the plastic cage was like a black sponge (from memory). I think they were app 10 minute rated.

[@nkayjay1]

Love it but this is innuendo heaven.

[@melissalovesmakeup]

Can u do a video cleaning a vacuum? Please 🙂

[@vacuumcollector3075]

Love the colors

[@Grahams-Grass]

Hope you show it when you given it the tlc.

[@verynicebirdy4168]

Roger do you think you can do a review on the Zero G vacuum please? I would love your opinion on it! If not, no problem!! I love your videos and always look forward to them and seeing you too!!!❤

[@ryanhawkins1235]

I've got a Zero G and I'm not sure they are in the UK yet.

[@verynicebirdy4168]

Ryan Hawkins: I didn't even cross my mind if they had them in the UK or not. Thank you for your reply! How do you like your Zero G?

[@condimentking14]

I have a constellation model 858 and I'm needing that fell filter any possibility that's a regular production party anymore

[@ibaisaic]

The filter has been discontinued long ago, but sometimes you may find a pattern part on eBay. I’d you have the old one, you can use it as a template to cut out some suitable filter material. It is possible to use a large fleece type vacuum bag as a filter once it has been cut into a circle.

[@condimentking14]

@@ibaisaic what material do you think would be good to use as an idea base

[@wilsonguida1027]

Very interesting. Congratulations from Brasil.

[@anthonylawrence60]

it needs a full strip down and service .And please get some grease on those dry bearings

[@wolfy1987]

Could use a strip of plastic on the bottom to prevent the paint and floors getting scratched

[@ibaisaic]

Self adhesive felt pieces would probably be better.

[@kerrygibb727]

I’m sure this is the same colour of the one my mother had in the sixties

[@CarlosDeLeon-zw9oc]

IBAISAIC meaning: It Beats As It Sweeps As It Cleans. Hoover slogan.

[@randomvids5883]

Please do a eureka smart vac if u can get it from America!

[@Joshuwaah]

Please can someone tell me where the video is when roger turns on the vacuum that goes bang?? Can’t find it anywhere

[@LemLTay]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZTUqHqKacaLoM0 I think I might have jumped as much as Roger and Daisy did, even though I'd been warned about it. Please turn the volume down or you might get a big shock too!

[@shanemichaelhenderson2728]

Have you got A vatrix?

[@majesticlioness9763]

It reminds me of a lil robot

[@ozziecurwood8461]

Do you have any hoover constellation tools for sale thank you

[@richardpearson58]

good video.

[@3GreeneBJ]

Quick question: Does this metal bodied Hoover have an earth wire?

[@gattostrafatto8076]

Mine doesn't (probably manufactured after 1977) but the painting seems to be a good insulator.

[@spencerwilton5831]

Beresfordjohn Greene if you look at the label at 8:21 you will see the a symbol showing a square within a square. This means it is double insulated and therefore an earth is not required.

[@philliparagon5992]

I have one of those, won’t to buy it?

[@ibaisaic]

No thankyou. I have three like the one in this video and several other variants.

[@philliparagon5992]

@@ibaisaic the model I have is 444 any significance?

[@ibaisaic]

Not to me. It’s an American model that we never got in the UK.

[@carollynnchap]

I have a very tatty one of these. Would you be interested in having it?

[@vontricesturgis6626]

Do you have a dirt devil vacuum

[@Fugi-lz1yy]

Vontrice Sturigs his first one was a dirt devil cordless but it was faulty

[@vontricesturgis6626]

Fugi 2425 do he have Panasonic vacuum

[@andytipping70]

whoever pat tested it and let the old plug pass wants their pat test licence revoking! it would fail!!!

[@spencerwilton5831]

Andy Tipping Pat I don't believe there is any requirement when pat testing to highlight fittings such as plugs that have been superseded. That The plug is functional, undamaged and correctly fused is sufficient. We do not expect homes or industry to update their wiring and consumer units every time a new edition of the electrical installation regulations come out, why should appliances be similarly updated? Arguably that plug is now safer than when it was fitted, as the chances are it will be plugged into a supply with an RCD or RCBO installed.

[@jaedenspider877]

I have a 30-year-old Kirby vacuum

[@jamesheal5389]

Hoovering a hoover lol 😉😂

[@philliphurley5341]

1980.

[@lkwhynot]

What is biological washing powder?

[@ibaisaic]

It’s powder that contains enzymes to help dissolve dirt and stains. In the UK you can buy powder and liquid washing detergents marked either Biological or Non Bio for people with sensitive skin that may be affected by biological detergents.

[@randomvids5883]

Please do a eureka smart vac

[@JJxRach]

Not available in the U.K....at least i think so, i think they were only here in the U.S.

[@LlyleHunter]

Some models were available in Europe under the Electrolux brand when the two companies were merged but the Smart Vac was never available on the east side of the Atlantic

[@CoolCat7019]

Hi

[@michaelcunningham6703]

Retro machines were

[@ericlakota6512]

If you have somthing better then watching a 40 year old vacuum cleaner you living haha this is men only you know it deff a rainy day hear

[@theagunton5345]

It's not a girl it's a Hoover

[@bexleydragon5294]

Doesn't look very dignified Funny as 😁😂 Hilarious! Self $uck?!

[@richardpearson58]

Not Arf

[@muk8804]

Eh SAUCEEEEY . Getchyer 'ands orwf my hose!

[@scottlight9155]

You have the cutest feet and hands!!

[@ibaisaic]

You should see my bottom.

[@howardbewley8226]

@@ibaisaic would love to

[@muk8804]

@@ibaisaic 🤣crying

[@donnythebull7396]

This sucks and blows all at the same time!