Hi Dan
If you bought it when it first came out, you're the original owner, so you can get a factory rebuild. That was what I was going to do with my G-4 that's in storage, but the cost of going to Indiana, getting the truck and bringing it back here didn't make sense once I saw the one posted on this thread. Yes, I do plan to get my stuff, around May 1st, and yes the G-4 will get a rebuild, but later.
Looks like you and I got our Classic 111's the same week. I'd been in Dubuque, Iowa selling the Omega, then had to go back to my home town of Wallingford, Connecticut. I decided to buy a brand new Kirby Omega, so I called the branch office. As I was a salesman in Dubuque and had not become a trainner yet, I watched the guy demo to me. He was great, and as I was a former salesman for Kirby, knew the close procedure. I went easy on this guy. He wrote down the price, $549.00 Complete, and I opened my checkbook, saying "one Kirby complete, paid in full!" He nearly dropped his demo kit. That's when I told him about working in Dubuque. That Kirby was red because we were celebrating our nations 200th birthday.
Yes, I remember those handles, mine had one too. They had a tendency to break, defect in the plastic I think, and the handles also has a weak spot near the place where you insert the handle pin. Mine didn't have either problem.
I had that Kirby till 1981, when I got into a relationship, and took my stuff with me to Fenton, Michigan. The relationship didn't last, and unfortunately the Kirby Classic 111 wasn't sent back with the rest of my stuff.
Over the years I've taken in a few Classic 111's on trade. I kept one to put in my display, but really miss the original, that's why I'm getting my new one, new to me, that is.
Once I get my stuff from Indiana, all my machines get cleaned, and polished. I'll post before and after pictures of each, and if the storage unit is big enough I might set up a display area. Who knows?
So my Classic 111 should be here in about 10 days. More on that later.
Alex Taber.
