My mother had a Kirby purchased before I was born, I'm guessing around the mid-1950s. It was an upright and, well, unfortunately it looked like the majority of Kirbys I've ever seen, with minor differences here and there.
I don't know if this helps or not, but it was sold with a lifetime warranty (including belts and tune ups). I have a vivid memory of taking it in for service when I was around 14 and the dealer practically standing on his head trying to get Mom to buy a new machine (without a lifetime warranty of course).
Unfortunately when Mom passed my sister appointed herself in charge of everything. The next thing I knew the Kirby had been put out with the trash. She never even asked, just assumed I wouldn't want "that old piece of... " you get the picture. I thought that was weird because it didn't look much different than it must've looked when she brought it home... It certainly had never changed in all the years I had recall of it. Mom took care of it. She had every tool and accessory in its original suitcase-style box. Seems to me there was another piece too, but I'll be hanged if I can remember what.
I don't know if this helps or not, but it was sold with a lifetime warranty (including belts and tune ups). I have a vivid memory of taking it in for service when I was around 14 and the dealer practically standing on his head trying to get Mom to buy a new machine (without a lifetime warranty of course).
Unfortunately when Mom passed my sister appointed herself in charge of everything. The next thing I knew the Kirby had been put out with the trash. She never even asked, just assumed I wouldn't want "that old piece of... " you get the picture. I thought that was weird because it didn't look much different than it must've looked when she brought it home... It certainly had never changed in all the years I had recall of it. Mom took care of it. She had every tool and accessory in its original suitcase-style box. Seems to me there was another piece too, but I'll be hanged if I can remember what.
