1974 American Lincoln Super Sweep

[opelgtkarl]

Good evening fellow Vacuumlanders! Tonight I will be posting a couple pieces from my collection that haven’t been out or posted on here yet. The first I have to show is my 1974 Kirby-made American Lincoln Super Sweep! Being that these machines have been talked about more recently, I thought that I’d bring out mine. Some of you may recognize it from a post a long time ago in which it was with my collection at that point at a mini meet. I got this machine back in 2008 when I had first started looking for vacuums online. Previous to this one, an almost identical (minus an unoriginal handle grip) Irish green Super Sweep sold on eBay for a small fortune, so when this one popped up a few days later for $40 with free shipping, I quickly bought it. Luckily I was on eBay at the time when it was posted because I was on spring break. My machine is completely original with its original bag, cord, and the original nose plug with its foil “AL” decal. Unfortunately, mine has one minor flaw with its headlight cap having a broken arm. However I still have the broken piece and it’s still intact. I’m happy to answer any questions! Enjoy!

 

[lesinutah]

Me

Yes me and Ben post want to buy in marketplace forum. I may have asked if it was for sale.
Would you trade for a 505? Could it be acquired?
There's a question.
I have read 18" brush roll and my American Lincoln 180 means 18 inch.
I was reading my esco magazine saying it has a 17" brush roll. Is this correct on yours.
Do you have any original f&G bags. Does it have a metal fan?
I really appreciate you posting this. I love d80, tradition and 505. This would be the one I'd esteem above all others.
Les

 

[opelgtkarl]

Super Sweep Details

My AL has a metal fan instead of the plastic. Mine also has the F and G setup, but I don’t have any bags for it. In the past I just put on a regular F and G bag.

As for the question of if I will be getting rid of it... This machine will be staying in my collection as a permanent piece. My goal is to open a museum or put my collection on display in a museum that I’m affiliated with. As these are important to Kirby history, I just can’t let it go. It’s also my favorite color!

 

[huskyvacs]

Wow, never seen one of these before! Unusual that it is has teal/turquoise as a paint color in 1974. If the headlight arm is cast aluminum or some such metal, you can fix it with JB-Weld. It comes in two separate tubes and you squirt a little bit of each out onto a piece of cardboard and mix them together with a toothpick until it turns gray and apply it. It's like superglue for metal.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

OpelGTKarl

Karl,

Actually, this would not be a 1974 model but rather a 1969 model.

I know... the 2-wire cord (the same kind used on all household Kirbys between the 516 and the Tradition 3CB, but in emerald green) is one of the dead giveaways, and the riveted model plate on the underside of the motor housing is another; ditto for the early style front wheel bracket shaft (in this case, the same as on the prior coppertone Janitronic and the very first Kirby Classic 1CRs, part no. 131667S) and the metal end caps on the brush roll.

The 1974 (in the same shade of army green as the Kirby Dual Sanitronic 80) and 1979 (in blue and white) models both had the white 3-wire cords, as well as the mylar sticker model plate all Kirbys since the Classic 1CR had. The 1974 model also had the 2nd version of the Classic 1CR's front wheel bracket shaft (131669S) that put the machine higher up in the front, for cleaning long shag rugs. The brush roll used on the 1974 and 1979 models had the protective clear plastic thread guards (155271 and 155275, respectively) on both ends.

Also, the 1979 models had the same carbon brushes (118076) and brush holders (107276, with 107173 caps) as the Classic series, rather than the older style (118067 brush, 107259 brush holder and 107159 cap) used between models 519 and Dual Sanitronic 80.

As to a replacement headlight cap, the original for your version of the machine was part no. 334468S, with the 161977 white bumper included.

Serial number breakdown (approximate):
1969 to 1974 = 1001 to 110000 (emerald green, including yours)
1974 to 1979 = 110001 to 210000 (Kirby D80 green)
1979 to 1982 = 210001+ (blue and white)

~Ben

 

[opelgtkarl]

Many thanks!

Thanks for the information Ben! Seems like every day I learn something new. These certainly are interesting vacuums. When vacuuming with that wide nozzle, it feels like you're a combine harvesting wheat.

 

[lesinutah]

Thanks

Thanks for showing us this. It was you I asked if you were going to sell it.
I don't blame you when I get one it will be my centerpiece.
This is an odd question but if you know how royal hoses connect through the nozzle. Have you tried anything like this in it.
I had to use a big pair of channel locks and a towel to disconnect bag. I think its seal is rather large.
I have seen a super sweep upper handle
White in color. Im adding a link if you are interested.
Les

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

OpelGTKarl

Karl,

You're welcome.

Yes, I agree... the 18" nozzle does give this cleaner that feeling you describe, in this case I refer to it (and the 1974 version) as the "green giant."

~Ben

 

[preston]

I remember one of those was in a local thrift store for 10 bucks. I didn’t get it then went back the next day to and it was gone. Still knock myself for that one.

 

[opelgtkarl]

Definitely a green giant!

I wish I could see some advertising for these or maybe the original box! I’ve only seen the box for the Comvacs. Anybody have any other advertising or pics?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

OpelGTKarl

Karl,

Here's an ad for the Super-Sweep from 1970, which looks like the one you have.

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Ads

I have a few in the vacuum catalogs I've received. I'll post once I find them.
Les

 

[opelgtkarl]

Many thanks!

Thanks a lot guys! I'm definitely gonna print these out and keep them with it!

 

[vacman1961]

When I had my vacuum store, I had a tan model Janitronic, it was the color of the Dual 50. I had a whole drawer full of the original Janitronic paper bags, we used to stock the brush rolls too.