Kirby models 512 an 514

[annagirl65]

My dad sold Kirby vacuum cleaners after his return from WWII to help supplement his income from his entry level job and support his family. He sold one vacuum to his mother, a model 514 that I now have. It has all the attachments and floor polisher and is in good condition with the exception of one piece of tape on the hose. Vacuum appears to have original cord and bag. My dad(who is now 90) also has a Kirby, a model 512 with all the attachments as well. I am attaching pictures of the model I have and am wondering if there is any interest in buying these vacuums or if someone could help with a suggested price for e-bay. I am moving to Florida and have no place for my vacuum and my dad would like to see his vacuum find a home before he is gone.

please let me know of any interest or if someone would like to suggest best method to finding a home. Thanks very much.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Debra,

According to Charles Lester, the 514 bag was originally gray in color and had stripes accentuating the modernized Kirby circle logo.

Link: http://www.1377731.com/kirby/page2.html

~Ben

 

[electrolux137]

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Your Kirby has a replacement bag and cord.

Also, the gray handle grip, headlight bumper and rug nozzle bumper are incorrect -- all those gray trim pieces should be red.

Also, the handle grip is from an older model: The 514 had a larger and differently-styled grip, and the top cord hook could be flipped downward to release the cord.

Also, that's not the original "fork" at the bottom of the handle. It should be filled in and not hollow.

Also, the attachment cartons for the 514 are silver-colored with red printing.

Finally ... a biggie ... that's the wrong power switch. The 514 had what Kirby called a "push-push" switch. It was larger than the older toggle switch. One "push" turned the machine on and the next "push" turned it off.

Overall, this machine actually looks more like a 512. I wonder if your father's two machines got mixed up...

 

[annagirl65]

Kirby 512 and 514

Thank you very much for your replies. I looked more closely at the machine I have and the cord has a sticker on it that says this is a replacement cord. Is it possible that the box of attachment parts is for the 509 or other year? The handle appears to be a smooth gray as well and reading some of the information here it sounds like they didn't move to the red handle until the 514 so perhaps it was an early edition model? There are some interesting attachments in the box. What is a crystalator? There is also a glass bottle with a brown lid cylinder like top? My machine is clearly identified on its plate as a 514 model. The Kirby bag with the small Kirby lettering all over, is that a replacement bag? By the way, it runs beautifully! It is possible the attachments I have go to my dad's vacuum. However, he is in another state and it will be a bit before I can see his model which he confirmed states it is a 512.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Debra,

The model inbetween the 512 and 514 did have midseason changes: while the 513 had the new push-button foot switch, a new style nozzle bumper and brush roll, and red trim (initially only on the nozzle and headlight bumpers), stuff carried over from the 512 included the gray handle grip, standard (non-swiveling) top cord hook, and the 3-amp motor.

Most 514s had the red handle grip, swiveling top cord hook and the 4-amp motor, in addition to the new foot switch, nozzle bumper and brush.

~Ben

 

[fantomfan]

That is in my area...

It's on Craigslist now. I could use the attachments... but i'm not spending $100 on a mis-matched Kirby.