57 Kirby, slot for quarters??

[fantomfan57]

So I was checking out Craigslist Dallas and found this:

Vintage 1957, Model 517, Kirby vacuum cleaner. Has slot for quarters to be deposited with each use. The sales pitch was that by putting quarters in the slot with each use, the housewife would have enough to make payment each month. This machine has been in the same family since purchase.

Sales pitch?....creative ad?

http://https//dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/clt/6163933993.html

 

[sptyks]

It's a fact!


 


All Kirby's since the 40's or 50's up until the Sentria model came out in 2008 have a coin slot in the handle so you have a place to store coins found during vacuuming.


 


Kirby salesmen did point out that the coins could be used to supplement the monthly payment.

 

[dysonman1]

That's got to be sarcasm. There's no way (that I know of) to fit a quarter into the handle of a Kirby before the 1970 model Classic 1-CR.

 

[vinvac]

My mom told that story as well for her 508. I looked for quarters in the handle, but the machine had been rebuilt...at a cost of $11.75.

 

[human]

I think the real question is how many quarters are actually in the handle of that '57 Kirby.

 

[dysonman1]

Unless you take a screwdriver and take the handle apart, I don't see how you could get them out. Those old round handle models weren't made for that. However, the salesmen DID give the consumer a Kirby "Bank" that looked just like a mini Kirby, to put their quarters into for the payment.

 

[bikerray]

There is NO Way you can put a coin in the handle of a Kirby D80 or earlier. The bank that they gave you has a slot that is smaller than a quarter. I think it might have been for dimes or nickels. They looked like this

 

[texaskirbyguy]

There is a way, intended or not...

Here I am making a deposit to my 505. )
There is an internal shelf that stops coins at the bottom of the slot (about at the screw). That quarter went in and is laying flat on the stop. It does make a good saving bank for a few coins, as one has to unscrew and remove the handle top to retrieve them...
What the salesman says about saving for your payment is just a bit of humor as not many coins will fit...

 

[vinvac]

Thanks Rob,

I knew it would work and remembered my mom talking about it.

 

[electrolux137]

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It is a fact ... Also, some Kirby salesmen told their customers to put a quarter in the slot every time they shook out the bag to represent the savings of not having to buy disposable bags.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I'm being given that model this week.

A very dear friend of mine had it. Last year, she died. Her sister is "clearing out" everything..... thought of me ,and offered it to me.....complete wit a huge box of "everything".I'm only taking it as a rememberance of HER.
I'll check the handle.

 

[electrolux137]

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John, I hope you'll post photos of it. While we all know your aversion to all-things-not-Hoover, there =are= collectors who would love to see it!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

When I receive it, I'll

surely post pics. I'll even give it a little clean up/spa treatment.
the ONLY reason I'm taking it is because she was a very close friend. I used to take her to see her father in a nursing home. She had very poor vision due to diabetes. She used to use this machine all the time.
I KNOW others really like this model. (I'm not nearly as bad/snobbish as I'm portrayed by others) "not everyone". They really don't matter to me in the least, actually.
So, you'll see it soon.
John