Compact C5 with ABC Power Nozzle

[danemodsandy]

P.S.:

Speaking of product photography, Interstate's attempt to position Compact as a luxury cleaner is clear in that photo. The sofa in that shot is a Folke Ohlsson design for Dux, a Scandinavian manufacturer. It cost a BUNCH of money back in the day. I used to have the matching easy chair with ottoman.

And shag carpeting was expensive in 1959-60 when the C-5 was produced; it was kind of the newest "look" in carpeting at the time.

 

[danemodsandy]

Brandon:

Your grandpa's Compact is a C-5. The easy way to tell is that his machine has the front exhaust slots found on all models between the C-4 and the C-7, but it has two non-swiveling wheels in back, not the single swivel caster of the C-6.

Given that there is a PN cord and straps attached to the hose, there has GOT to be a PN for that machine around somewhere, unless it was lost in a move or tossed because it wasn't working any more or something. You could probably use a current TriStar PN with it if you cared to.

 

[danemodsandy]

Oops!

I just confused things, sorry!

Brandon's grandpa's machine is a C-5, produced in 1959-60.

The machine at the top of the thread and the one seen in the ad shot are actually C-6s, produced from 1961-70. The single swivel caster at the rear is the giveaway. The C-5 had two non-swiveling wheels back there, and the C-7 went to the twin swivel caster setup seen all the way to the end of the Compact design run, the EX-20.

 

[kc_kirby]

I think Sandy and Dave are confused. My Compact is a model C5 not a C6. I am pretty sure the C5 had the single swivel caster in front and the C6 had two swivel casters in front. So Brandon's would most likely be a C6 like he states. I have another C5 that has the port for the power nozzle, identical to the one I just got with nozzle, single caster in front. Its possible they made some C6's with a single swivel but looks like not all were made that way. I also notice there is C6 on Ebay now and it has two casters not one. Another intersting tidbit, notice the model number has "PB" after the C5. I am pretty sure that means it was built for the power nozzle. There were models made without the "PB" that did not have the plug for the power nozzle. I assume PB stands for Power Brush.

 

[danemodsandy]

Chad:

The reason I said yours appeared to be a C-6 is that the historical information on the TriStar website (www.tristarclean.com), shows that machine as a C-6, giving the dates 1961-70 as the production dates.

Since your machine is clearly marked as a C-5, that probably means that the change from fixed rear wheels to the single swivel caster took place as a "running change," meaning between formal introduction of models.

One of the unfortunate things about collecting TriStar and Compact products is that there is not yet an "uber-collector" who has huge numbers of examples, the way Charlie Lester does with Electroluxes. That kind of collecting is the only way to figure out the small variations that occur as running changes; a manufacturer's history usually does not get into that much detail.

If I have confused things further, I am sorry. If anyone wants to see the TriStar history page, go to www.tristarclean.com and click on "About Us," then click on "History of Products."

 

[aeoliandave]

Yes, I guessed the model number off the notoriously inaccurate Tristar Poster.


 


Sandy, why do you term the exhaust end of the Compact as the Front, with ball casters in the Back?


What do you know that we don't? Surely pulling the machine around while vacuuming one is towing the front end...?


 


Dave


 


 

 

[danemodsandy]

Personal Terminology!

Dave:

I've always termed the exhaust end the "front," simply because it's somewhat face-like compared to the other end. The Compact/TriStar machines have a somewhat pig-like shape (my CXL is named "Arnold," after Arnold Ziffel on "Green Acres"), and the exhaust end looks like its snout.

So, I don't "know" anything more than the next person; I'm just applying a personal standard here.

 

[brandon_w_t]

The front-rear discussion on compacts has always bugged me. The correct "front" of the machine is actually where the caster wheels are, with the suction inlet as well.


It just seems backwards, and crazy, but its right!

 

[brandon_w_t]

Another way to think of it, is where the cord comes in. Why would the cord enter the machine front? Every canister has the hose at front and cord at rear.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

in that poster the one they have marked as the c5 is the later c4. The c4 came with both flat and raised lids. They are also missing one of the gold models as well as a pinkish model.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

oh yea and Chad, I hate you so much!!! I want that power head and I know where you live!!!!
I'll give you one of my cars for it, well the Buick at least, na just kidding congratulations Chad I'm so happy for you that you got MY POWER HEAD, no wait im not! LOCK YOUR DOORS!!!

 

[1926700]

see Chad.....

i told you he was serious.....that's him after hes calmed down, like i said he was cussin you out when u first found it...=), and thank god i was there to clam him down....he has such a temper....remember when his wall was knocked down???, that actually happend when i found is 66 convertble.....NEED I SAY MORE!=)

 

[kenkart]

RE Poster!

They also have the C6 shown as being made from 61-70..NOT! The c5 was being made as late as 1962, I know this because I have an owners manual...also, the machine pictured is a c5 not c6, c5 had one caster, c6 had 2.

 

[normvac]

Personally Drove a C6 and ABC

Guys
I have to tell you, as much as I so hate to ! Not because your thoughts or statements are Incorrect. You are all right on, almost. Facing my 65th birthday on this friday the 6th. I must confess, that very good family friends and neighbors. Had the first Compact New, that I ever saw. It was 1964/65, as I was graduating in June of 65. The Kemps had a demo, bought the new Compact with the ABC and traded their Kirby 560 in.
I used the Compact several times, with the ABC nozzle. It was awesome. It had the plastic handle, completely attached to the PN wand. The cleaner came with a cloth hose too. Which all fit in the storage chest, except for the ABC nozzle. It stored in the dinning room. The Pig Tail was used to tie the machine end of the hose to the handle for storage ( don't know if the saleman suggested that or they decided). I actually borrowed it one day when Mom was gone, as I was just dieing to use it. Making the excuse that our vacuum needed repairs. I was forwarned that where the Pig Tail plugged into the socket on the machine was Not a good fit (this was in July/August) after they had bought the machine in Feb of 65 (I think). They were right, it keep going on and off as I used it. Later on, after going off to college. The husband must have fixed the problem himself. As the wire that was connected to the female end was hanging out of the machine with a replacement black socket on it. I did not see the ABC nozzle in it's usual storage place ? Than realized in the early 70's that there was a new Kenmore upright vacuum in it's place. The Compact storage chest was still sitting behing the front door.
Now, the one thing I do remember about the attachments was that there were 2 Clips that one could clip onto the reg. Carpet tool. The reason, to vacuum Shag carpet !
The last time I knew anything about the machine was in the late 90's, maybe even early 2000's. The wife gone a decade, the husband heading into his his 90's. Said to me, when he asked if I still hand my vacuum repair business (which had been gone since 1987). "That old Compact was a good vacuum, still doing it's job down at the church" (which he and his daughte used to clean) .
Sorry if I went on to much, but did have to share the reality and excitment of a day gone by.
Norm

 

[normvac]

Compact Sales in the Lake Erie Region !

I know I have posted this before, as well as my personal experience.
One more things one might think about the issue of the c-5 and c-6 over
lapping. It is very possible.
To help sell more Compacts the new buyer wrote notes of wonderful praise
on Compact Sales Letterhead. Praising their new Compact and asking friends
and neighbors to make an appointment (the same as Kirby at that time). To
come to their home just to see what a "marvel" the machine is ! We had a Demo and they never even showed us the ABC model. As the Sales came into our house, without a machine talked about what we owned (air way 66), looked at the carpet situation. Than came back with an almost exact machine, but no Plug on top for
the ABC nozzle !
So if you made a purchase, the owner that sent you the invite for an in your home demo, got a $5.00 credit. Unless you made the purchase, than they got a $10.00 credit toward their purchase.
If I recall correctly they were asking at least $150.00 with the ABC. The price the Salesman quoted Mom, was about $120.00. That was just way too much in Mom's eyes. As she said "never again" when she made the $5.00 a month payments on our Air Way 66 back in 1953.

Norm

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Well Jason I can't help that I threw you through that wall for a 66 Convertible, I can't help myself it's like a crack addict. lol Everyone just so you know we are just kidding. I am very happy for Chad

 

[brandon_w_t]

"throwing someone through a wall for a 66"

I dont see anything unreasonable about that.

Really... Think about it...


An all original, nice hoover 66 convertible, decked out in garland green, and gold.... Oh yea. Id throw more than people through a wall for one.


HEHE! Just kidding.


but seriously,
Dont tempt me to!

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Well part of the story is true, jason came over for a visit and we made a vacuum trade for the 66. I gave him a Regina brush n beat for that MINT 66. While we were hanging out I got board and decided to do some work on my house ( the house was under construction at that time ) Jason said what can I do to help and I said take a hammer and knock out that wall. He thought I was kidding because that wall went into the next room. So I took the hammer and busted it through the wall, his mouth dropped open. lol He thought I had lost my mind. I had decided right then I wanted to make the two rooms one big room. We had a blast tearing it out. Then we told everyone I threw his ass through that wall a took the Convertible.

 

[floor-a-matic]

I just found a Compact C6 with ABC PN on the curb! Previous owner completely worn out bristles & cloth bag torn; I will give it a spa treatment

How can I rebristle the brush roller? Will the TriStar CXL flat belt fit the ABC PN?

Mine is probably a late version like this one

 

[kloveland]

Hey Eirk, post a picture when you can! I'm sure many of us would like to see it.

Kenny