Fond memories of Kirby

[28studebaker]

Hi all. This is such an awesome forum. Lots of great info.

I remember as a small child my grandmother vacuuming with an old Kirby. I used to push it around as a kid. That drove my father mad because little boys shouldn't play with vacuums. They were for girls to play with. Maybe that should have been his first clue about my future coming out, but that's another story.

Anyway. I thought she had a 515 so I bought one on ebay and came to find out it is not a 515.

Here is what I remember. It had a grey bag with a V logo. Red trim on the handle grip, bumper and headlight cover. The hose was a grey cloth not rubber or plastic and the on/off switch was a flipper type not a push button. The power cord was grey with one end round that plugged into the motor housing and the other end flat to plug into the wall. So far I've been able to figure out it may have been a 508, 509, or 510. Is there that big of a difference between the models.

I'd love to get one in decent shape as I can probably fix it up myself. Or should I just keep the 515 with all the attachments that I got off Ebay.

Thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Keith

 

[cb123]

Sounds like it could be a Franking-fix or a rebuilt on account of the red trim. It could be anything from a 3C to a 512. In regards to what your poor closed minded father thought I must most strongly disagree with. A vacuum cleaner is not a requisite to anything, its just a vacuum cleaner much like a car or tool of some kind. These lifeless objects can only project what we want them to do or be - no more - no less. We must all try to remember that there are countless millions of vacuums throughout this vast and diverse world we live in, and therefore it can not imply ones persuasion by the usage of such a device. I hope I was of some help.

 

[ncovert]

I would say

Probably either a 509, 510 or a 511, based on what you described it.

 

[kirbyvacuum]

Welcome Keith

Hi Keith Welcome to our club, We are like one big family you will like it here. I would say keep the Kirby but be very sure when you get another one it is just what you want.Be sure toget a picture of it frist.I two remember many Kirby stories. My best friends dad worked for kirby and if we were really good he would take us on a demo or two. I have a real nice collection of Kirbys. In this world of plastic JUNK Kirby really stands out. Take care Doug