Kirby 1c Resto Done

[gsheen]

Paint it , it will look great 


 


Gareth 

 

[kirbyguy]

Kirby 1C renovation

Bravo to you Derek on your 1C Kirby rebuild. L@@ks GREAT.

 

[kirbyguy]

Derek

Perhaps a spray of black satin paint for the handel and cord hooks & then a wash & black dye job on the bag with a little fabric paint touch up on the bags red and gold stenceling?

Its still all original parts.

 

[kirby508]

Belt Lifter

How do you turn it, with brute strength?
Seems like you would get blisters doing so.

That is a really nice looking vacuum, a ton of work, well done!

 

[eurekastar]

@ Brian -- the 1C didn't have a belt lifter.  The cap simply provides access in order to lift the belt onto the pulley.  Kirby didn't introduce the "magic finger" (belt lifter) until the 505.  In fact, the early 505s did not have a belt lifter.  It was a late production item with the 505.


 


@ Derek, I would paint the handle.  But that's me.  My goal is always to make it look as new as possible.  But no matter what you do, it will still look amazing.  I know you're really proud!

 

[vacumaniac]

The Gamble.... Well I decided to paint the handle and cleanse the bag. Do not fret! I had reservatiosn about this but a very good friend of mine has a wife who owns a vintage clothing shop. She has a special process for cleaning fragile/delicate items. I was leery about the whole ordeal, especially with water getting into the cracks of the screen print, but she assured me that similar types of items have been done before this way, and it works great.

Well..... I think the risk paid off. What do you all think????

 

[gsheen]

That makes a huge difference.


 


I really lik ethat model Kirby, looks so good 


 

 

[vacumaniac]

Unfortunately, when I removed the black topper for the bag, it literally broke into pieces!!!!!

Have to keep my eye out for another, although they are hard to find...

Still worth it to have the bag looking much better!

 

[vacumaniac]

Ok... Even cleaner now. Bag fresh and handle blackned!

 

[kirbyguy]

Now that's one STUNNING Kirby.

Derek,

all I can say is its STUNNING and really has some bling now.

You've truly preserved a by gone era, of a beautifully piece of machinery.

 

[djtaylor]

Derek,
I have sent two links from ebay to a black power cord and black wheels. I hope that helps.
Justin

 

[kirbylux77]

Derek, again, that Kirby looks BEAUTIFUL!!!

If you ever decide to sell, contact me first please. I guarantee you I will outbid ANYONE to get my hands on a Kirby like that for my collection.

Rob

 

[eurekastar]

¡Qué bueno!

 

[rainbowjoel]

It's BEAUTIFUL Derek. Got any side views?

 

[vacumaniac]

Rainbowjoel:

Some side views...

Also, does anyone know what type of bulb (wattage and size) to use in this? The standard bulbs that Kirby stocks for the older models is too long...

 

[vacumaniac]

Other side...

 

[normvac]

Awesome , Derek

your restoreation is stunning. The one I had was in great shape, just never got the time to bring it back to it's org. beauty !
Glad you took the time and patience to give it new life. Just like a Factory
rebuilt !
Plus it is still very useable on todays carpets and hard surfaces, with height adjustment !
Norm

 

[rainbowjoel]

So beautiful! I love the styling of that emp-tor or is called.

 

[davidomholt]

Kirby 1C Restoration

The bag is amazing looking. I saw one on ebay a month ago, unused, stored in plastic bag for all these years. The opening bid was $999.99! Actually, yours look almost as good! Can't imagine what yours is worth.
I have eleven of them and probably could not bring myself to sell any of them!
Thanks!

 

[kirbyguy]

Light bulb

Derek,

Try ace Hardware for a bulb. I usually find the bulbs I need there for my vintage machines.

Your other option would be a lighting store.