A Dirty Old Kirby For The New Year

[huskyvacs]

Hello! I've been a member here since the fall of 2017 but I figured I should start posting my finds now before too much time passes and I forget the details.

The following photos are of a beautiful vintage Kirby that I won back in mid-December (I was the only bidder). Due to the seller's mother being in the hospital and his furnace going out, he was delayed in shipping the vacuum. I made a "what do I do" post about it here: http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?35683_24 before I knew what was going on. He shipped it priority mail at the end of December, but because of the new years holiday, it didn't get here until the beginning week of 2018 otherwise it would have been here in 1 day.

I bought the Kirby primarily for the carpet fluffer tool (I hope that is what it is), because at the time I bought this vacuum it was just $15 more than just the fluffer tool itself for any Kirby model. With my Kirby Ultimate G in a state of disrepair and considering how cheap this entire lot was, I figured I might as well go for it. I didn't expect to win the auction, but I did with a $19.99 bid and shelled out $21.76 for shipping. A total cost of $41.75 brought it home. I was lucky because I lived within a state away from the seller, so it was super cheap shipping considering the weight.

As per the seller's description, the vacuum has been derelict in his grandma's basement for decades, but he plugged it in and the motor ran, so that was the extent of his testing. The Kirby is completely stripped of any model tags, so I have no idea what model it is, but I guess it is something super common considering there was no interest for it on eBay. Either that or it's very desirable and I just have dumb luck!

It came with the carpet fluffer which was the entire reason I bought it, and a bunch of other random attachments. I have no idea what they go to, but they do not fit the Kirby's hose. The one tool with the jar says Electrolux on it, and it kind of looks like a paint sprayer? No idea about the other things.

I have compiled all the photos of the unboxing and what I experienced opening it and posted a description of the photos as follows:

Photo #1: The box as it was left on my porch.

Photo #2: The damage to the box, almost lost it in transit!

Photo #3: The total weight of it all.

Photo #4: You can have any vacuum you want, as long as it's a Corona.

Photo #5: The box of attachments

Photo #6: A dirty explosion.

Photo #7: More dirt.

Photo #8: Revenge Of The Dirt III

Photo #9: It's a dirty job but someone's gotta do it.

Photo #10: All the bits and bobs out of the box.

Photo #11: My sidekick has to check out my purchase and make sure it is mouse-free.

Photo #12: Opening the box of accessories.

Photo #13: All the accessories spread out.

Photo #14: Electrolux sprayer tool

Photo #15: Weird shower head/turbine thing (Front)

Photo #16: Weird shower head/turbine thing (Back)

Photo #17: perspective view of the Kirby

Photo #18: The last repair shop tag. In business from 1972-1996. Original owners died in 2007 and 2008.

Photo #19: The Kirby plug end

Photo #20: A weird screw hole on the back of the dust bin tray, no idea what is missing here.

 

[huskyvacs]

Continued from above

Here's two more photos that didn't fit in the image cache in the above post.

Photo #21: The Kirby bag tag

Photo #22: The only type of ID number I could find on the vacuum - the part number for the handle.

 

[huskyvacs]

Obituary

As an aside little tidbit of info if anyone was curious to know, by researching that repair shop tag, I found online the old obituary for the owner of the vacuum shop listed on the tag. I figured this would be a place to post it being a forum for vacuum collectors. He seemed to be well known as a Kirby salesman.

-----------------------------------------------------
JOSEPH M. PIAZZA "Popeye"
Valparaiso, Indiana
Age 77

passed away Monday,May 19, 2008. He was a salesman and self employed by Kirby Vacuum Sweepers. He served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. His wife,Dorothy preceded him in death in 2007. He is survived by 4 sons, Joseph Jr. and Douglas both of Portgage, Christopher (Cathy) of Valparaiso and Timothy Angela) of Niles, Michigan; 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; 1 sister, Jerry (Don) Gaddis of Portage; 1 step sister, Janet (Frank) Bunchek of Minnesota; 1 step brother Russell Long of Illinois; half sister, Diane Piazza Shay of Portage; half brother, Peter (Katherine) Piazza of Lake of Four Seasons.

Viewing Thursday from 4 p.m. til 8 p.m. at Rendina Funeral Home, 5100 Cleveland St., Merrillville, IN, Friday viewing at the funeral home at 9 a.m. and burial at Calumet Park Cemetery at 10 a.m. for an outside service at the graveside with Bishop Alfred and Pastor Paul Deeds officiating. Published in the Post Tribune from May 21 to May 22, 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------

 

[huskyvacs]

These photos were taken on Jan. 2, 2018.

 

[crazykirbydude]

The "shower head" thing is actually a moth crystal vaporizer for an Electrolux Model XXX! The sprayer also belongs to the same machine.

 

[huskyvacs]

@ crazykirbydude

Wow! Wonder how that got lumped together with the Kirby? It's brand new too, I went and smelled it after I read your comment, no smell of moth balls or any residue.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Wasn't it nice of them to include some clamshell and Corona's? You can reward yourself once it's been thoroughly serviced LOLOL
In all seriousness, it's a nice find in need of a little TLC, but sometimes the best finds are the ones that need cleaning. No fun in buying a trophy, one must earn it!

 

[phaeton]

The famous red knob, a kids toy?

Hello All and huskyvacs,
I have these pictures I took off eBay of what is missing. I am missing that knob also and have search out everyone I know trying to find it. I think it had to do with adding one of the Kirby scents. It is not detailed in the booklet that came with my Kirby. It also was easily lost by the adult owner who forgot to put it back in the hole. I believe only a few years in the 50's had it but a real Kirby expert would know more about it.
I have to say that was a great price for your Kirby and with an interesting history.
Thank you for looking,
Pete

 

[huskyvacs]

@ vacuumlad1650

It actually isn;t all that bad, but the seller wrapped the bag around the vacuum to ship it, and within transit it shook the dust out backwards through the brushroll area and then it got all over the vacuum. It's in pretty good shape, no cuts or abrasions in the metal.

I just want to service the motor before using because like an old car, parts will go bad and it's not a good idea to use it, as it will cause more damage.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

From the looks of the nozzle, belt lifter, and foot switch, you have something around a model 516 or later - like late 50s to early 60s. The model # should be under the motor unit.
Pretty sad it was shipped with a full bag - you were brave working on it inside! I would have dumped the bag in the snow...
The screw hole in the emtor is for the Sweet Aire dispenser - it was for making the bag smell better. Cork it with a screw for now.
Despite its current condition, I bet it will fix up nicely.
Pull the motor case off, turn it on and look for excess sparking at motor brushes. If good, then tear it all down to the last screw, wash/clean every part, polish the metal with Mother's mag & aluminum polish and a wheel in your drill, replace bearings, replace motor brushes if less than 1/2 long, replace/repair anything else that is broke. Reassemble carefully and enjoy it for another several decades!

 

[kirby519]

Can you get us a picture of the fan case opening? Remove the head and we will be able to give a better idea of a model range by the safety/speed switch. 1 button on the safety switch located under the fan opening will be a early sixties 4 amp single speed motor. Which also dates to the 50's 500 series models.

A safety switch with two buttons would indicate a Dual Sanitronic model. It looks to have had parts replaced. The hose proper is from a Legend II. The Brown bell to attach the hose to the machine is either from a early 70's 1CR or a later 2CB Omega model.

The Buffer/Fluffer head is from a Tradition model. Unless the head has been modified to trip he safety switch. You are out of luck using that head on that Kirby.

 

[huskyvacs]

Here's some more photos, taken tonight 1/7/2018.

Photo #23: The underside of the vacuum.

Photo #24: The model tag has been removed, reasons unknown.

Photo #25: Front of the vacuum, brushroll removed.

Photo #26: Original metal fan. That's not corrosion, just lunar dust from the Apollo shuttle expedition.

Photo #27: The back of the fluffer. I am sure I can wedge a popsicle stick to the switch to make it work. It does fit on the Kirby well enough to use.
(Or if someone has a crappy beat-up one for this series Kirby they are tossing out, I'd be glad to take it.)

Photo #28: The top of the handle, if that offers any help in ID.

Photo #29: Original Kirby light bulb, filament looks intact.

Photo #30: Brushes look new still, I think. They extend past the bottom of the brushroll plate.

Photo #31: Far view of the vacuum in its entirety. Mind the leaking space dust.

 

[huskyvacs]

I wonder how they ended up with such a menagerie of cobbled together parts, maybe they had a low budget and just wanted the vac shop to toss together whatever they had in the salvage bin that worked?

 

[luxflairguy]

HUskyvac!

I'm confused by you. From your first posting about this machine all you've done is complain. You haven't liked the lack of communication from the seller and now that the machine has arrived you are even more unhappy!

As you stated you bought the machine primarily for the "carpet fluffer." AKA the floor polisher. That is from a Kirby Tradition and you might not be able to use it on your machine dues to the differences in the speed selector, on which I'm not an expert.

I want to know why you are so unhappy with the purchase! You reviewed all the pictures online, you approved and then bought the machine and now all you want to do is complain about a lack of communication, a poorly packed and shipped machine as well as a it being shipped with a full bag and items that aren't Kirby! You got what the seller was selling! You and no one else talked you into buying this machine. If you think you were unfairly targeted by the seller, well, you can ask for your money back from Ebay. But that's unfair to the seller! No matter what, "let the buyer beware!" You and you alone made the decision to buy this machine. Communication from Ebay sellers is getting to be less and less. As I said before did you expect "white glove" treatment?
This is all what newer buyers experience! I've purchases many machines and have taken my knocks! But I now communicate before I purchase with the seller asking questions, I'll give guidelines regarding packing and shipping and yes! I give instruction to make sure the bag is empty or removed. The less weight the better. Buyers remorse? You can only blame yourself.
By the way, if you want to be a true member here, you don't hide behind your screen name!
Greg Bushman

 

[huskyvacs]

@ luxflairguy

What are you talking about? Nobody is complaining. You've misread everything!

 

[gj3476]

Mystery Kirby with no model number! That’s like a random person without identity! Lol

 

[huskyvacs]

@ Gj3476

Just as hard to figure out too! Wondering if there would be any markings under the housing? Like builder's marks?

 

[gottahaveahoove]

my late friend's sister

was going to 'give' me this Kirby. It belonged to my friend, Anna. The ONLY reason I considered taking it was because it belonged to her. Then, one day, Louisa said, "You can take it home today, if you have the cash".
God knows where it ended up. And, now, I don't care. It would never have been used, just kept as a memento.
A rare exception to allow another species into the home. Not to worry now.

 

[huskyvacs]

@ gottahaveahoove

I'm fortunate enough to still have my great-gradmother's Electrolux Olympia One still. It's in disrepair from sitting around for....16 years unused, but I do still have it. She lived to see her 100th birthday and her only two sweepers she had that I know of were Electrolux tank cleaners, that was her go-to brand. She knew how to be smart with her money and spend it on products that were good quality and lasted, and easy to live with. She had a rare talent of knowing how to read between the lines of sales marketing pamphlets and know what stuff is truth and what is just BS.