super-sweeper
Well-known member
I hope i ddin't insult you,My belief is it was rebuilt wiht left-over classic III Parts,I have no idea how they got a Classic III colored logo to fit an Omega belt lifter tough.
-Alex.
-Alex.
Geuss what vintage vacuu i just got?
- Thread starter super-sweeper
- Start date
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caligula
Well-known member
It IS a Classic 111!
The post I was talking about is 205594! A Claccic 111 in a doorway, and it DOES have the Vis-a-belt.
If that is NOT the Kirby you were talking about then which one?
I know the models Classic Omega, Classic 111, Tradition, and others. I was the traiining manager for several branch offices, including Oak Park, Illinois, where I worked for 8 years.
The Classic 111 was also the first Kirby I bought new, since then I've bought several models.
As for my collection, however, I like the older models like the 1-C, which was the FIRST vacuum cleaner with Kirby's name on it.
The 1-C was introduced in 1935, and was the only one to my knowledge that had the scroll headlight. The 2-C became the design used until the introduction of the Classic.
By the way, James B. (Blain) Kirby was born on September 28, 1884, and died on June 7, 1971, at the age of 87. He was of Scottish background as am I.
I have written a lot on Jim Kirby.
Alex Taber.
The post I was talking about is 205594! A Claccic 111 in a doorway, and it DOES have the Vis-a-belt.
If that is NOT the Kirby you were talking about then which one?
I know the models Classic Omega, Classic 111, Tradition, and others. I was the traiining manager for several branch offices, including Oak Park, Illinois, where I worked for 8 years.
The Classic 111 was also the first Kirby I bought new, since then I've bought several models.
As for my collection, however, I like the older models like the 1-C, which was the FIRST vacuum cleaner with Kirby's name on it.
The 1-C was introduced in 1935, and was the only one to my knowledge that had the scroll headlight. The 2-C became the design used until the introduction of the Classic.
By the way, James B. (Blain) Kirby was born on September 28, 1884, and died on June 7, 1971, at the age of 87. He was of Scottish background as am I.
I have written a lot on Jim Kirby.
Alex Taber.
super-sweeper
Well-known member
Here's what i'm looking at....
The Cleaner is done in Classic III Red,Yet the builder's plate states this is a model Classic Omega 1-CB...
The Cleaner is done in Classic III Red,Yet the builder's plate states this is a model Classic Omega 1-CB...
super-sweeper
Well-known member
On another note,
Are the Classic III And/Or Omega 1-CB Bulbs different from the older sanitronic series?Here's a picture of the bulb i took out of the vacuum (The bulb on the left)And a Sanitronic Bulb to the left,The thing is,The bulb seems un-broken,Yet does not function.
Are the Classic III And/Or Omega 1-CB Bulbs different from the older sanitronic series?Here's a picture of the bulb i took out of the vacuum (The bulb on the left)And a Sanitronic Bulb to the left,The thing is,The bulb seems un-broken,Yet does not function.
caligula
Well-known member
Interesting!
This really has me stumped!
I can't tell if the Omega bottom plate is a fake, or if somebody interchanged the parts. Unlike the early Kirby models (pre 512) the Sani-Em-Tor, handle, and so on ARE interchangeable. The rug nozzle looks like an Omega, but the wheels, bag, trim and so on ARE Classic 111!
This is the best frankenKirby I've ever seen.
Let me know what you find out.
Alex Taber.
This really has me stumped!
I can't tell if the Omega bottom plate is a fake, or if somebody interchanged the parts. Unlike the early Kirby models (pre 512) the Sani-Em-Tor, handle, and so on ARE interchangeable. The rug nozzle looks like an Omega, but the wheels, bag, trim and so on ARE Classic 111!
This is the best frankenKirby I've ever seen.
Let me know what you find out.
Alex Taber.
caligula
Well-known member
Light bulbs
I think the one with the two tabs is the Classic 111, but not completely sure.
I've seen a lot of FrankenKirby's, and Frankenlux's, but this one really takes the cake.
The bottom nameplate looks like it's been replaced as it is smaller. Another puzzle is the writing, that is not original. The wheels, etc. look very beat up, wheras the nameplate looks rather new.
As I said, I really want to find out about this one.
Please keep me posted.
Alex T.
I think the one with the two tabs is the Classic 111, but not completely sure.
I've seen a lot of FrankenKirby's, and Frankenlux's, but this one really takes the cake.
The bottom nameplate looks like it's been replaced as it is smaller. Another puzzle is the writing, that is not original. The wheels, etc. look very beat up, wheras the nameplate looks rather new.
As I said, I really want to find out about this one.
Please keep me posted.
Alex T.
caligula
Well-known member
I took a long look at the main picture,
Upon careful study I see that the bag is off center! The bag holder (the part with the chain) should be level with the cord hooks, it's NOT! This tells me that the bag was replaced, and not mounted on the Sani-Em-Tor correctly. The red trim on the belt lifter also is not a match, and you are right, there should be a window in the nozzle!
My guess is that somebody DID replace ALL the red. So it IS an OMEGA!!
The question is how well it works. All the other questions are not important. Fact is you have a great looking Kirby.
If I missed anything else feel fee to let me know.
Alex T.
Upon careful study I see that the bag is off center! The bag holder (the part with the chain) should be level with the cord hooks, it's NOT! This tells me that the bag was replaced, and not mounted on the Sani-Em-Tor correctly. The red trim on the belt lifter also is not a match, and you are right, there should be a window in the nozzle!
My guess is that somebody DID replace ALL the red. So it IS an OMEGA!!
The question is how well it works. All the other questions are not important. Fact is you have a great looking Kirby.
If I missed anything else feel fee to let me know.
Alex T.
super-sweeper
Well-known member
I need to work on (Or proabaly) replace the brush roll on this machine,It's a little sticky and liked to burn belts.I adjusted it last night,So we'll see how that works.
-Alex.
-Alex.
super-sweeper
Well-known member
I looked again,You're right.A classic III does not have a bag held by a chain, As seen in reply 17. Now, 2 things also have me stumped!
-If the Classic III did not have a bag held on by a chain,Then where did they find that one?My only guess could be it came off a older 500 Series Kirby...
-The belt lifter,Since the Omega's Nozzle would've been brown,Where did they find a RED Kirby sticker that fits perfectly in place of the Omega sticker?
-If the Classic III did not have a bag held on by a chain,Then where did they find that one?My only guess could be it came off a older 500 Series Kirby...
-The belt lifter,Since the Omega's Nozzle would've been brown,Where did they find a RED Kirby sticker that fits perfectly in place of the Omega sticker?
super-sweeper
Well-known member
You know,I actauly just thought a name/model # for this!
Kirby Classic omega III-CB
The Red Omega...
Kirby Classic omega III-CB
The Red Omega...
collector2
Well-known member
Hey Guys:
Can I throw in another possibility. Kirby did rebuilds even if the machine was in a fire and pretty much down to next to nothing. As it seems that every plastic piece has been replaced could this be the case? If the machine was in a fire where there was smoke and heat damamge it would have necessitated changing everything that was plastic or cloth. They would have used the colour of the machine out at that time yet it would have still been an omega model. This looks to me like a factory rebuild.
Doug
Can I throw in another possibility. Kirby did rebuilds even if the machine was in a fire and pretty much down to next to nothing. As it seems that every plastic piece has been replaced could this be the case? If the machine was in a fire where there was smoke and heat damamge it would have necessitated changing everything that was plastic or cloth. They would have used the colour of the machine out at that time yet it would have still been an omega model. This looks to me like a factory rebuild.
Doug
caligula
Well-known member
Good point Doug.
I've been away from Kirby so long I completely overlooked that.
As for the bag holder and chain thingy, that IS correct. However, the positionion of the bag on the Sani-Em-Tor is off center big time.
Alex T.
I've been away from Kirby so long I completely overlooked that.
As for the bag holder and chain thingy, that IS correct. However, the positionion of the bag on the Sani-Em-Tor is off center big time.
Alex T.
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
I hate to say i told you so, but,, That is a Classic OMEGA, rebuilt to look like a Classic 3.
If you look at an original from the factory Classic Omega, and Classic 3,and put them side by side, NEITHER of them had a bag "Chain",,,only the first Classic 1CR and all Kirby's before it had a bag chain.
An original Rosewood Brown Classic Omega had a long Rosewood Brown plastic sheath/collar that went all the way up to the bag hook loop.
And, and original Red Classic 3 had a simular but shorter sheath/collar on its bag hook.
Neither of them originally ever had a chain.
If you look at an original from the factory Classic Omega, and Classic 3,and put them side by side, NEITHER of them had a bag "Chain",,,only the first Classic 1CR and all Kirby's before it had a bag chain.
An original Rosewood Brown Classic Omega had a long Rosewood Brown plastic sheath/collar that went all the way up to the bag hook loop.
And, and original Red Classic 3 had a simular but shorter sheath/collar on its bag hook.
Neither of them originally ever had a chain.
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
Alex, you are right,,,they(whoever redid this Omega/machine in red) got that bag top/chain off of a red 500 series bag. It is most definatly NOT from an Classic 3.
Any and All Original Red Classic 3 bag tops say KIRBY CLASSIC 111 on them, and have the slanted sheath/collar covering up to the bag hook/loop.
Any and All Original Red Classic 3 bag tops say KIRBY CLASSIC 111 on them, and have the slanted sheath/collar covering up to the bag hook/loop.
kirbyvertibles
Well-known member
look at the time dial between the rear wheels it has a number 3 so that tells me this machine was put together 1973 so it is an omega. I would say a vac shop probably replaced all the trim??
kirbylux77
Well-known member
Vac Shop Rebuild
This HAS to be a vac shop rebuild. It's obvious the Kirby has been rebuilt with the mish-mash of parts, but if this was rebuilt by Kirby by the factory in Cleveland, it would have had it's maker's plate with one stating it was Kirby factory rebuilt.
But what I am REALLY curious about....where did that red label on the belt lifter come from?? That was certainly not on the Classic III! So, was this something Kirby made specifically for rebuilds that were done in red??
Rob
This HAS to be a vac shop rebuild. It's obvious the Kirby has been rebuilt with the mish-mash of parts, but if this was rebuilt by Kirby by the factory in Cleveland, it would have had it's maker's plate with one stating it was Kirby factory rebuilt.
But what I am REALLY curious about....where did that red label on the belt lifter come from?? That was certainly not on the Classic III! So, was this something Kirby made specifically for rebuilds that were done in red??
Rob
IL-Kirby-Fan
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2012
- Messages
- 144
Kirby Classic Omega
The Kirby in question is a Kirby Classic Omega. For a long time Kirby had replacement parts available in a variety of colors available to Authorized Kirby Service Center. Many service centers that sold rebuilt machines on their sales floor would just trim the Kirby out in whatever color they felt like when they would do an in house rebuilt to resell the Kirby. Additionally for someone sending their Kirby to the Factory for a Factory rebuild had the option to have their Kirby rebuilt to all original or for an additional fee could have the color changed, usually to whatever the color of the newest model was, but this wasn't always the case. In my work in repairing and rebuilding Kirbys I have seen all sorts of models in a variety of colors. I've seen Classic I's in the Blue of Traditions, Omegas in Blue or the DS80 Avacado Green, etc. It's really no big thing even in the Kirby Co's eyes as long as all the parts are genuie Kirby replacement parts. On the Kirby Omega in question it appears to all be genuine Kirby parts except for the bag which looks like a "Star for Parts" after market replacement bag. I know in particular the belt lifter label was questioned but Kirby did make those. Sadly Kirby's colored replacement parts inventory has dwindled and now many replacement parts are just made in black. Hope this information helps.
The Kirby in question is a Kirby Classic Omega. For a long time Kirby had replacement parts available in a variety of colors available to Authorized Kirby Service Center. Many service centers that sold rebuilt machines on their sales floor would just trim the Kirby out in whatever color they felt like when they would do an in house rebuilt to resell the Kirby. Additionally for someone sending their Kirby to the Factory for a Factory rebuild had the option to have their Kirby rebuilt to all original or for an additional fee could have the color changed, usually to whatever the color of the newest model was, but this wasn't always the case. In my work in repairing and rebuilding Kirbys I have seen all sorts of models in a variety of colors. I've seen Classic I's in the Blue of Traditions, Omegas in Blue or the DS80 Avacado Green, etc. It's really no big thing even in the Kirby Co's eyes as long as all the parts are genuie Kirby replacement parts. On the Kirby Omega in question it appears to all be genuine Kirby parts except for the bag which looks like a "Star for Parts" after market replacement bag. I know in particular the belt lifter label was questioned but Kirby did make those. Sadly Kirby's colored replacement parts inventory has dwindled and now many replacement parts are just made in black. Hope this information helps.
super-sweeper
Well-known member
The writing on the bottom is from a service/repair in 1992,They replaced the Carbons,The fan,the Bearings and the Belt.Dated June 15th 1992.
-Alex.
-Alex.
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
I remember a neighbor of ours bought a brand new in box Classic 3 in 1977,,,the lady would bring it out to vacuum their car with occasionally. I remember wishing and wanting one SO BADLY,, i dreamed of owning one someday!
Sure enough, as soon as i was old enough to earn my own money,in the early 1980s, i traded our old Hoover DAM Powerdrive (that was more PROBLEMATIC than it was Dial-a-Matic!) for a Rainbow D2 with PN.
A year or so later i grew tired of fiddling with the water pan of the Rainbow,(altho i did have fun using it) and traded that D2 for a local shop rebuilt Kirby Classic 3, with all attachments, even the Saber Saw and Handi Butler. Whoever rebuit it had polished it up to a mirror like shine. Wasnt a scratch or ding on it. And was rebuilt with all original parts.
Finally owned my own Red Classic 3!!,,and had it for several years, selling it to a friend that i receintly found on Facebook. I asked her whatever happened to that Kirby,,She said it lasted for another 20 years at least, until she sold it at a garage sale when they moved.
Ha, I bet its still strong going somewhere!
Sure enough, as soon as i was old enough to earn my own money,in the early 1980s, i traded our old Hoover DAM Powerdrive (that was more PROBLEMATIC than it was Dial-a-Matic!) for a Rainbow D2 with PN.
A year or so later i grew tired of fiddling with the water pan of the Rainbow,(altho i did have fun using it) and traded that D2 for a local shop rebuilt Kirby Classic 3, with all attachments, even the Saber Saw and Handi Butler. Whoever rebuit it had polished it up to a mirror like shine. Wasnt a scratch or ding on it. And was rebuilt with all original parts.
Finally owned my own Red Classic 3!!,,and had it for several years, selling it to a friend that i receintly found on Facebook. I asked her whatever happened to that Kirby,,She said it lasted for another 20 years at least, until she sold it at a garage sale when they moved.
Ha, I bet its still strong going somewhere!
super-sweeper
Well-known member
The Case of the Red-Omega,
Solved.
I stumbled upon my old thread, and now know the answer in 3 words,
A Trim-Kit.
Kirby sold trim-kits to vac shops as a way to make an older model look new, Explaining the all-red trim.
However, There is still one question left un-answered,
Why?
Why would somebody take in an already brand-new Kirby to have new trim installed?
What would cause them to need new trim?
Perhaps we'll revert back to the "Fire" theory, but what else could have caused someone to do such a thing?
Solved.
I stumbled upon my old thread, and now know the answer in 3 words,
A Trim-Kit.
Kirby sold trim-kits to vac shops as a way to make an older model look new, Explaining the all-red trim.
However, There is still one question left un-answered,
Why?
Why would somebody take in an already brand-new Kirby to have new trim installed?
What would cause them to need new trim?
Perhaps we'll revert back to the "Fire" theory, but what else could have caused someone to do such a thing?
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