I have gotten BIT!!

[mattshaver]

I've been polishing up my Kirby G6 and Hellga is beginning to look like the front end of a 58 Caddy with all that chrome. I've been having so much fun that I think I've been bitten by the restoration bug.

Now I've restored a 64 Lincoln Continental and a 71 Mark III, which I miss dearly. However, I've been thinking restoring a late 60s, early 70s TBird, but the price of gas to power these land yachts and the price for parts are beginning to be prohibitive for me.

Since putting on some detailing finishes to Hellga, I've thought about restoring an older Kirby. However, I have no experience in buying an older Kirby, the availability of extra parts, pitfalls, etc. I'm truly on new ground here but curious nonetheless.

I guess, like many of you, there is a make of vacuum that you like just a hair more than others and I guess for me that would be a 60s or 70s Kirby for me. What model would you suggest as my first restoration project? Is there a spotter's guide for Kirby vacuums that give the years they were made? Ebay and CL is a good start, but I'm also contacting thrift stores, flea markets and auctions here in Spfld, IL.

Any help might be beneficial.
Matt
Spfld, IL.

 

[lux1521]

From what I've seen, you coulden't really go wrong with any of them. I personaly prefer the looks of the 12 inch head models vs. the classic series (classic, classic omega, classic III), but thats just me. I've always found the 15 inch heads to be too large but if you have a larger home then you would be just fine.

Those Lincolns sound nice, but I prefer the Mark IV and V myself. 95% of the time I'm a GM guy (Buick and Pontiac especialy) but if I had to choose a Ford it would be a Lincoln from that time period. Regarding gas mileage, have you ever considered swapping in a small block engine with a overdrive trans? I don't know how much work it would be but I'd look into it before I gave up on big cars entirely.

 

[petek]

I like all the Kirbys I've gotten so far and I haven't been collecting them all that long, a couple of years, and they're usually cheap as dirt to buy because it seems nobody wants them, bonus. So far I've got the Tradition, Classic III, Omega, Dual 80, Heritage Legend II, G3 & G4. I paid less than $25 for each except the Dual 80 I bought from a vac shop due to a customer not paying for the repairs so it cost me about $60. Out of those the Heritage Legend II is my favorite for actual usage. It just seems to be balanced correctly all over, easy to use even though it isn't self propelled.
If you have a Kirby sitting in the corner of your livingroom and people come in they sure notice it whereas any other vacuum they'd probably not even notice it sitting there. LOL

 

[badata]

lux is right.........you can't go wrong with any kirby!!! the parts on a lot of them are interchangable so parts are not that difficult to find unless you get REALLY old ones. the 60's and up are usually a pretty good bet. They are a lot of fun to restore!!! GOOD LUCK!

 

[mattshaver]

The Tradition and Classic III look very appealing!!

I've been looking at some on eBay and I really find the Kirby Tradition to be a real sharp vacuum. Perhaps it's the blue trim with the silver that I like. I don't know, but I think the Classic III looks sharp too with the bright fire engine red trim/bag too. Then again, I would love to have my Nanny's 1965 Sanitronic 50. She told me it's mine when she is done using it.

Hmmm, so many choices...I love the look of the Tradition and the Classic III. I'll keep on the hunt.

Matt
Spfld, IL.

P.S. Lux, I am in lust with Lincoln Mark Vs...especially the Bill Blass navy blue and white combo. I also love the 79 Mark V Collector's Edition. I don't have my 64 or 71, but if I were to happen upon one at a very reasonable price, I might have to purchase it. LOL.

 

[hygiene903]

Kirby

My favorite Kirbys are almost anything in the 500 series and the Sanitronics, especially the Dual Sanitronic 50. I have a 512 and a D-50 in my collection, the D-50 being my most recent and almost finished restoration project.
One of the best sources of information on Kirbys that I know of is the Kirby section of Charles Lester's website. There is a link to it from the links section of the Vacuumland website.
Jeff

 

[lux1521]

Now that you mention the Classic III and the Tradition as serious choices, it should be noted that the Tradition and later models use paper bags, but the Classic III and earlier don't, unless it's been upgraded. If you plan on using this machine as a daily driver, then it might be a big deal for you.

 

[aeoliandave]

KIRBY model timeline poster

Reduced for posting. I have the 1700 x 2193 pixel scan if you want it emailed to ya for printing.

I never gave Kirkys a second glance until Pete showed me his and let me drive a powerdrive model as well.

I really liked the Blue Tradition (the one with the notorious dye bleeding bag) for it's upbeat happy appearance on a robust heavy vacuum - dark blue is so slimming), and the green Santronic 80 for it's 'earthyness' appearance and the smaller proportions. Then of course I just had to have a G3 powerdrive 'bulldozer' model to complement the Heritage II...and well, that's how it goes in this infectious hobby. You get intriqued by one make or model and suddenly they seem to start falling out of the sky. LOL

Dave.

 

[logan]

Where to find Kirbys...

Matt a good place to check is consignment or pawn shops. It seems that lots of people bring high end vacuums (at least in my town) and pawn them off for money. There is a pawn shop here that has a Kirby Classic in decent condition for $35. I am debating on buying it. They also have 2 Kirby Gsix models in great shape for $135 a piece. I will probably buy one of the Gsix models before I buy the classic.

 

[mattshaver]

I thought about pawn shops and thrift stores. Unfortunately, I cannot go shopping until Thursday afternoon at the soonest, darn my job! However, I'll call them first to see if they have any first. I've also spotted a couple on CraigsList, so who knows.

Although this restored Kirby would not be a daily driver like Hellga (G6) but I'm really excited to rebuild one. Kind of makes me giddy...LOL.

In regard to the Kirby Tradition, I don't know why I like that blue but I think it's very appealing and sexy too. Hmmm, what to call her. I'm taking names...LOL.

Matt
Spfld, Il.