A rare kirby!!

[kirbymodel2c]

umm

Umm I don't think it was built in texas as the texas kirby factory did not open till around 1970ish but the 230/240 volt kirbys after that came from texas.

)

 

[kc_kirby]

James, did I send that to you? I know I found it searching the web one day. I thought it was quite strange to be 230V and in Africa of all places. I just couldn't Imagine Kirby selling vacuums back then there. I'm glad you got it. I have a 508 myself but its not all original yet. But they seem to be a somewhat more rare models in the 500 series. I would say its probably more rare than the 505 is. The good thing is the headlight trim on mine is there and in pretty good shape. Its awaiting its day in the spa, LOL.

Chad

 

[kc_kirby]

James, did I send that to you? I know I found it searching the web one day. I thought it was quite strange to be 230V and in Africa of all places. I just couldn't Imagine Kirby selling vacuums back then there. I'm glad you got it. I have a 508 myself but its not all original yet. But they seem to be a somewhat more rare models in the 500 series. I would say its probably more rare than the 505 is. The good thing is the headlight trim on mine is there and in pretty good shape. Its awaiting its day in the spa, LOL.

Chad

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi Chad

Hi Chad. Yep its the one you told me about. took ages to arrange with the lady who owned it to sort every thing out.
I'm Glad you told me about it. I was not going to buy it but then thought I've never seen a 230volt 500 series kirby before to made some inquarys in to it. It was expensive but I thought why not lol.

It need lots of TLC!

I washed the bag today. Got lots of dirt out of it.


Hope to talk to you soon again Chad. Thanks again for telling me about it.
I've not switched it on yet as the cable/cord is very poor.

Talk soon.

James ) xx

 

[ohio_tuec]

Well done James, I can't wait to see what it looks like after it's been polished. I was gonna say the fact that this 508 has its original bag makes it rare in and of itself. But 230 volts? All I have to say is WOW! Did it come with the original cord? I'd love to know where in Africa there was a dealership in 1948....

 

[crevicetool]

Mr. Brown!

What an amazing story! With all the handling, I'm glad it got there in one piece!!!

Congratulations.

Rick

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi

Hi Karl it comes from south Africa.
It had the original cord but it has been cut and heaverly damaged.
It has a older style plug socket that conects to the kirby so the earth wire connects to the motor houseing its self.

Thanks Rick again.
Will take more pics once I've worked on it once I have time.

)

 

[electrolux~137]

Is there any indication on the model/serial plate as to where it was manufactured? I wouldn't imagine Scott-Fetzer would have had a factory in Africa. My guess, as I said earlier, is that it most likely was purchased in the U.S. (or the U.K.) and taken to Africa.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

umm

It was made in Cleveland Ohio USA which I knew it was.
But it must of been made for a foregion cuntry as the USA and Canada so kirby must have made a few to sell abroad.

I know they sold wireless vacuettes in the UK which was sold under a diffrent company over here brought in from Cleveland OH,

Mind you in the 80s there was a vacuum cleaner collector who was in the news paper over here. Who had what looks like Scott fetzer sanitation system with the emptor. Must find it and put it on here. Wonder if it is a s&f is 110volt or 240volt??

Remember this was way before ebay and the wide use of the internet.

I'LL also post pics of the 508 name plate.

)

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Ok )

Ok people I've started work on it like washed the bag.
Put a new cord on it. Found a original chain hanger and black rubber handle for it. Still need taking apart and polishing.
Just not had the time yet. Got a spare 508 headlight trim somewhere.

I've switched it on and its sounds good and strong.
Its suction is strong.

Here is a few pics of it so far)

Hope you like it so far)

James xx

 

[kirbymodel2c]

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[kirbymodel2c]

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[kirbymodel2c]

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[kirbymodel2c]

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[kirbymodel2c]

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[kirbymodel2c]

Oh

Will hope to post a pic once its done...Don't know when lol;o)

James)

 

[ohio_tuec]

Thank you for taking a close-up of the manufacturing plate, James. Interesting how it is stamped "230" in two locations. Once after the voltage, and again on the black background. It looks as if the plug might have been added on for U.K. current?

 

[briankirbyclass]

Yikes, id sure hate to get a shock from that thing! I bet vacuuming a wet surface with it is not a good idea.

 

[vaclover]

Nice

Helo.i really like the collections page on this site.i dont know if i may say website names on here but there was a similer kirby listed on a site www.ic.co.za i dont know if its this one you bought!im a vacuum cleaner freak!!i have 5 vacuums dont know if i can call it vintage,but 4 of them are older than me!i like that vintage upright Eurekas and the Electro Hygienes but i never see such old vacuums in south africa!one of you guys had a Bison vacuum on your collection pages i cant seem to find any information on them on the internet.are they still made and sold?thanx u guys are great!and your vacuums are beautifull!

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi Ruan, Did know there was a vacuum cleaners. What vacs u got?
I can't remember where I got it from. some 1 told me about it so I asked if they would sell it to me in the UK.

So what vacuums have u got? have you seen any other old kirbys in south Africa?

James