The Vintage Hoover Emporium

Hoover's 'Special' tag had been in use since 1914 - at this point, the use of the word 'Special' simply denoted Hoover's standard-size domestic machine.

However, after Special Model 105 was replaced by Model 541 in 1923, Hoover began using the 'Special' tag to denote factory-reconditioned second-hand machines. These machines, rebuilt to like-new standards, were then offered for sale to people who could not afford a brand new machine, or as second cleaners or cleaners for summer homes.

Specials were often repainted, or highly buffed to restore their finish, fitted with brand new bags - sometimes with designs unique to Specials - and occasionally, were fitted with headlights, via a modified motor cap with a lightbulb fixing, the light shining out from under a 'lip' at the front. Some were fitted with new badges on the chassis.

The instruction manual below dates from before the 1923-onwards use of the 'Special' tag. It was a generic manual for all models of reconditioned Hoover. 

In the UK, rebuilt models were not sold as 'Special', but were denoted by a simple plate somewhere on the machine, as shown below.