Hi Evan.
Not only did I buy my G-4 new, but bought it from the man I'd worked for 10 years earlier. In fact, he was the man who suggested I become a trainer.
I'd retired from Kirby, and was running a cat kennel (see picture) in my home. I had dozens of vacuum cleaners, and even a number of Kirby's, but I wanted a new one, so I called my former boss, Will Hart, and asked him to bring over a new Kirby, telling him it would be a cash sale!
Will certainly knew my love of old machines as I'd worked a history lesson into the fourth of the five classes in each training program. He also contributed greatly to my collection, as the bulk of it were trade-ins from his office. What he did not know was that I had the museum of the V.C.C.C. in my home. When he saw that, he was blown away! Certainly, there was no need to demo, and I bought the complete unit. The transaction lasted ten minutes, then he stayed for two hours as we talked about 'old times' over coffee.
That G-4 got a lot of use and was my daily driver along with my Electrolux LX both in Naperville, Illinois, and La Mesa, California till November, 06, when both went into storage.
About a year ago, a club member was selling a Kirby Classic 111, and I bought that, but it has the old sani-em-tor and bag, since I have a golden retriever that sheds, her fur is everywhere, and I need a Kirby with a disposable bag, plus a Miracle head for the hardwood floors. Besides, I want to use my G-4 again.
The process has begun and I'm waiting to hear from the rebuild department at Kirby to get the ball rolling.
