A little war of Royals

[josephdaniel]

I recently found two royals that are local to me and both are the same price so I am at a loss as to which one I should get... I plan to actually use this vac in my house so out of the two the one that works best is the one that I will get!

The battle is between a Royal #602 and a #801 I personally am more partial to the 801 for some reason.....
I will try to describe the machines to you guys lest anyone else should find these machines and try to buy them out from under me! (Yes, people have done that to me mny times before...) The 801 has a new belt and has a tan bag with a large red crown on the top of the logo and it has a single thick red stripe running down the right side of the word Royal.
The other one has a blue bag with a small red/white crown in the upper right hand side. The words royal are printed in red and outlined in white like the crown. There are three white stripes on the top of the logo but at the bottom there are just two. Also, I forgot to say that the Royal has a small tare in the bottom left of the bag.
I hope that makes sense... Thanks for you help in advance!!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Joe,

It seems both these vacs you intend to buy are from the 1971-76 period. Here is a picture of my two Royals, both sold by Stark's (a local vacuum dealer in my city).

~Ben

 

[RoyalLover60]

The battle Royal...

If you can afford it, I would buy both Royals...I suspect the one with the tan cloth bag is older, and possibly more collectible, but the 801 is vintage! If necessary, you could use one for parts, as those, for a vintage Royal upright, are getting very hard to find...it is the reason I divested myself of my 880..with some sorrow..and turned into a Kirby person...

 

[hygiene903]

I Agree With Royallover!

Buy both if you can! I have a 602 and 3 801's myself. Both models are quite similar and I think have the same motor, nozzle height adjustment, etc. Main difference is that the 602 has a sheet metal headlight hood and the 801 has cast aluminum. Both are powerful, durable, maneuverable vacs. Here are some pics of mine. First, the model 602.
Jeff

 

[hygiene903]

Here's one of my 801's. Think this is like the one you're considering.

 

[hygiene903]

Here's an early 801 from the late 50's or early 60's. Note the unusual bag.

 

[ornery]

What Did You Buy Joseph?

Sure would be nice to get updates on this stuff. No thanks, no nothing!

I started reading this topic with the intent of offering some advice based on real world experience. Now? Pfffttt...