Best Estate Sale finds to date

[toddk13]

So I responded to a Craigslist ad for 6 Kirby vacuums and accessories for $20.00. Picture was not very clear. I saw 4 older Kirby’s plus an early GE, and a Royal commercial. It was a drive, so I asked them to hold it for a few hours.

Showed up, and the family was extremely happy to see someone interested in a bunch of old vacuums. I confirmed the price - $20 and it take it all. The dad passed away and none of the family members wanted any of it. It’s all really dusty and neglected. Bags were not torn, so that was a big plus. I was really surprised to see the polisher kit - looked new. Even had a 518 instruction book in the box.

So today’s hail in the picture- Royal 679 commercial, GE AVF26, Kirby Dual Sanitronic 5c, Kirby 518, Kirby 518, Kirby Classic III. Basket with various Kirby 518 tools.

I can’t help but appreciate the 5 series Kirby’s for their design and lightness. Such a shame that they bloated out in later years. I really like my next - oldest Kirby 562. It’s been a joy to use so far. Looking forward to getting these up and running.

 

[madman]

Noice!

 

[hygiene903]

Congrars Todd!

Nice finds for sure! And I agree with you about the 500 series Kirbys. My newest Kirby is a Classic III, like the one at far right in your pic. They'll all look great after they're cleaned & polished.
Jeff

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Toddk13

Todd,

May I ask how old your Royal 679 is? Example: B85D074801 (where B85 = February 1985).

Thank you,



Ben

 

[rivstg1]

serious SCORE !!! I"m envious!! haha nice haul for you

 

[huskyvacs]

Very nice finds! I bet those vacuums were all bought by the father himself. You can see his progression in choices through the years. They are all complete and parts matching and the condition is all evenly deteriorated across them, so I can't imagine they were picked from odds and ends places.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

excellent finds for you!

That's a win/win! I'm sure you'll revive them all.
SUCH A DEAL !!

 

[kirbyklekter]

$20.00 Well spent...

As for winter time projects this would be like picking up a chord of wood! Nice investment. They should clean up really nice. Would be great to see them all lined up again when you've finished. "All dressed up for the dance"

 

[electroluxxxx]

I was searching FB marketplace and a lady had listed some machines for free that didn’t sell at her estate sale. One was a dial a matic the other an electrolux upright and the third was a fairly new kenmore. I called my friend Chris to tell him and he was planning on going to the place to grab the machines anyway. Here’s the lux he grabbed for me.

 

[toddk13]

RE: KirbyClassicIII - Royal model question - serial number

Oops. My bad. The ID plate is corroded. Really hard to see what's printed. I goofed. Here is what I can make out:

Model - 608. The word "model" was covered in grime when I first looked at it.

Serial number: Very hard to read - it starts as either "579" or "679". Assuming it's 679 - 679 D 20282

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Toddk13

Todd,

The serial number is really this:
G79-D-20282
which would mean your 608 was built in July 1979.

~Ben

 

[toddk13]

Thanks Ben!

Not familiar with the Royal line. I have one other from the mid-40s.

 

[paul]

Re: Reply #8

Mike,

Your Electrolux USA upright is an upgrade of its original Model 1363 automatic upright, which was launched in 1977.

The one you have is a Model 1451E, the 3rd iteration after the Model 1451. I think the 'E' may have stood for 'Extra', because it had these extra features: a clean-out plate on the base plate for the air duct & a removable duct & hose assembly. There were two 1451Es: the tan one made from c.1981 to 1984 & the light sand gray one with jade trim, which you have, made from 1984 to 1986.

Those colors were also used on the other contemporaneous Electrolux USA cleaners: Diamond Jubilee 1521 automatic metal tank, Deluxe Special Model 1453 metal tank, Floor Beautifier 1522 USA-style shampooer-polisher, Hi-Tech 2100 automatic Lexan tank, L-E 1623 Lexan tank, Shampooer-Polisher 2101 Canadian-style, CB2000 commercial Lexan canister, Discovery II 1500, 1500C, & 1572E L-nozzle upright.

It's pretty hard to find, so you're fortunate to have it! Btw, the manufacturer's stamp (specifications) is on the hinge cover between the handle assembly & the base. The serial number (5-digit production number in between the 2-letter series) was marked on a decal on the cleaner's casing and also coded somewhere on the base.

There was an optional tool set with a hose converter & carpet guard that covered the brush roll, but it's quite rare.

 

[paul]

Amendment to Reply #12

In looking again at your photo, I figured out you actually have the 2-toned gray 1451E, which I inadvertently left out, so here's the full timeline:


c. 1981 - 1983: tan with brown trim & scarlet 'Electrolux' label on upper casing

1983 - 1984: 2-toned gray with dark gray 'Electrolux' label on upper casing

1985 - 1987: light sand gray with jade trim (no 'Electrolux' label on upper casing)


Due to the fact that the 2-toned gray version wasn't manufactured as long it's less common. I don't recall the last time I saw one for sale online.

In case you're interested in collecting a gray set of '80s Electrolux USA cleaners here's the gray list (it's shorter, because the Canadian & USA companies hadn't merged until 1985): Silverado Deluxe 1505 automatic metal tank, Deluxe Special Model 1453 metal tank, Carpet Beautifier & Polisher-Scrubber B-8, Floor Beautifier & Polisher-Scrubber B-9, CB2000 commercial Lexan canister, automatic upright 1451E