Kirby Comvac 1300 $9.99 thrift store suprise...

[bnsd60m9200]

this is one of those "youll never ever see one in person" finds. 9.99 at a local thrift store "UGM superthrift" which has a history of harboring vintage vacs here. at first i was staring at the hoover celebrity below it because i thought the this was a plasticrap machine at first. when i saw the handle fork, i nearly passed out.

this is as it came from the thrift store. it needs a cord, belt, brushroll, headlight bulb and ill probably have to make a belt lifter cap from styrene and paint it. i doubt ill ever find an original...

 

[KirbysNphones]

is this built like a Royal in that the floor nozzle is not removable? What was the story on these?

 

[cb123]

These where used for cleaning contractors in the early 80's, and YES, the head is fully removable. It's like a modernized 516, what I hear.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Calem,

The head can be removed but it is via screws.

It is not, however, an ordinary Kirby wherein you can remove the nozzle simply by turning the belt lifter to the "off" position and then disengaging the nozzle lock on the fan case.

~Ben

 

[vac_whisperer]

@will
Nope. Not built by royal, its a modernized late 500 series cleaner. I've been fascinated with the commercal Kirbys since first delved into the world of vacuum cleaners.
Very very nice looking and lucky find!

 

[KirbysNphones]

Vac Whisperer, I know it's not made by Royal, I was asking if the nozzle was attached like the Royals were, (with screws as opposed to a latch) and from the other comments, it appears to be.

How many other commercial vacs did/does Kirby make?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Will (KirbysNPhones),

Yes, the nozzle on the Comvac line is bolted on a la the Royal uprights.

~Ben

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Will (KirbysNPhones),

BTW, Kirby did have other commercial vacuums available... none of them were ever as successful as their household line:
* Janitronic (18" wide nozzle)
* Comvac 1600 (16" wide nozzle; same motor lineage as Tradition/Heritage/Legend - but motor switch is on handle instead of by rear wheels).

A former Scott Fetzer subsidiary, American-Lincoln, also made 18" wide commercial vacuums (they are like the 516/Sanitronic series Kirbys):
* Super-Sweep (1st gen, army green trim) (1968-1974)
* Super-Sweep (2nd gen, emerald green/white trim) (1974-1976)
* Super-Sweep 180 (dark blue/white trim) (1976-1982)
* Super-Vac 180 (dark blue/white trim) (1982-1984)

~Ben

 

[RoyalLover60]

Kirby Com....

Happen to see a Kirby Com on ebay? one for sale at $ 51.00 and it has the belt nozzle cover you said you were missing...at least good for parts !

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Noel,

That is the one Fred Nelson (compactelectra) is selling. The current bid is $51.05. It ends tomorrow.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-KIrby-Commercial-Com-Vac-/231114564847

~Ben