Kirby Tradition and Classic III vacuums for restoration or for use as-is

[texaskirbyguy]

I had bought these two machines from my friend's Kirby shop before he had liquidated it and closed up in 2019. These were in his collection of complete working vacuums for sale.
Despite the fact I already had one of each of these that I had already restored, I bought these thinking I ~might~ want a couple more. (I was also infected with 'Kirby fever' back then).

I now realize I do not need duplicate units, and do not want to keep them as 'parts' units as they are far too nice for this. I also need more space in the garage.
Therefore I have decided it is best to sell them off to someone who wants them.

They are both usable as-is and are very restorable. All parts should be there and I will make sure of it when I get a buyer lined up. I will also run complete tests and inspections on them. I have extra parts to make sure each set is complete and fully operational.

The CIII has a metal fan but not sure on the Trad.

The Trad has the infamous headlight lock, but case mounted safety switch. The bag looks like a non-Kirby replacement, but it still uses the disposable bags and emtor.
The CIII has the dump bag.

Asking $30 each or $50 for both, just to recoup what I had paid back then.
Pickup in east Plano preferred but can ship if needed (which will be easily 40 and up extra per machine, dependent on location).

If someone local gets either or both of these, I can include a G4 parts unit absolutely free (if wanted). It is listed further below in the supermarket section...

 

[repairman]

How much for shipping to Woodridge, IL 60517

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Repairman - got your PM last night and I will email you the shipping quote this evening.
Thank you!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I have the exact same machines

and would love to sell them. I also have the full set of tools (blue). Perhaps someone will want them at the convention.

 

[jag]

Just curious

We’re these from Kirby Vacuum off of Parker and Custer in Plano?

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Jag, yes - these were purchased during that shop's closing.
Below are the official threads I had made in case you had missed them, or just for some fun re-reading.

https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?37766

https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?39175

 

[jag]

Well poo!!

I’m not a fan of spending $2000 on a Kirby but I would have forked it over to
him in a split second! He was such a wonderful and kind person! I had no idea he was closing up shop.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Both are still available...

Some more details below after having dug them out of the garage, opened them up and tested them.

Both have very healthy motors - normal commutator color and next to no wear.

Current draws on both were normal for both speeds.

Bearings are dry and a little noisy but not too bad. Normal for this age.

Brush rolls are good and restorable - good bristle lengths.

Nozzle bumpers are intact with the usual scuffs. The Tradition is worse. I have NOS replacements I can add in for $5 extra, each.

Cords are good and have original ends.

Handles have good back plates (but cord clips may be broke - did not check them).

Good handle springs

Headlights work.


Classic III
This one is nicer than I had remembered it...

-Bag top trim was missing but I will throw in a NOS replacement (I must have had it for this unit anyway).

-Bag guard (trim ring at emtor) is missing. I have green, blue, and two shades of brown you can choose from. Sorry - no red!

-Has nice metal fan.

-Headlight bumper is 'okay' but I can add a NOS replacement if desired.


Tradition:
-This has a dump, or shake out bag. I thought it was paper because I heard the crinkly sound of paper in it. Instead it was the stiff nylon sani-pocket making that sound.
Bag may or may not be an original Kirby part. Bag also has tape or paint mark on the back side. I do not have all the parts to convert it to paper bags.

-Unit had a broken grey plastic fan but I changed it out for a good used metal fan.

-Safety switch lost its spring return. Therefore it will stay in the last speed chosen by the attachment that was used. I can include a used replacement if desired.

Aside from the above, they just need some TLC and some polishing to make them like new.
I really need to get these out of the garage. I hate to send to the thrift store, but I might have to if they do not sell soon.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

BUMP!

These two machines are still available.
They need to be gone by early fall as they are in the way of getting the classic cars out of the garage when it finally cools off.
If no one here wants them, I will assemble them and donate them as-is.

 

[vacuumman]

Tradition

Would it be possible to ship the Tradition to California?

 

[huskyvacs]

Is the Classic III a genuine one? If so I'd be interested. Been hunting for one ever since getting duped at Goodwill on a 1CR dressed up as a Classic 3 (I think you saw that story).

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Sorry guys - had not been on here this weekend...

Vacuumman, your email has been replied to.

Huskyvacs, I am 99.99% sure it is a real CIII but I will check it for that last 0.01%.
A 1CR posing as a CIII? That's pretty low in my books... I may have seen that thread a while back as it sounds familiar.

I had bought this one to have two CIIIs so I had to have checked before hand. Also that shop was pretty honest about what they sold. There may have been some color mismatches but I never saw a complete fake on the sales floor.
I did find an all blue-marbled print 1CR in the parts machines pile in the back. It was actually well done so I kept that for a future resto.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Yep, the Classic III is the real McCoy.
Here are a couple pics out of the box; not all parts shown.
Just let me know if you are interested!

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Classic III still available and wanting a good home...

The still active member who had wanted it has not returned my emails for the past month or two which means at the nicest that he is no longer interested. (Why not just tell me?)

It is all boxed up with a bunch of Kirby freebies he had wanted including a good G4 motor unit and handle. I can take these out if you do not want them and will save you about 20-25 in shipping.

The Classic III will clean up and restore very well. It would be a wonderful Christmas machine with its beautiful red color, and it is the last whole vacuum from the closed Plano service center that I am parting with now.
I am just wanting to get the $30 back that I had paid for it.

Currently in a sealed box measuring 30x16x8 weighting 47lbs, shipping from 75074.
Use this to obtain a shipping quote and add a 9.95 counter service fee that the goons at fedex started charging back in the summer that is not in the quote. I really want this to be the last thing I ship there.

Local pickup in Plano preferred to save you money.
If not gone by the end of the year I will assemble it and take it to my friend's thrift store. Rest will be put out for scrap.
I have so much stuff I am literally tripping over it and may soon cause injury. Really need to clean up and unfortunately cannot save everything.

 

[huskyvacs]

Hey sorry for not getting back to you, texaskirbyguy! I am still here and still interested. Life just got out of hand and I hadn't realized it was that long of a time! Google thought my email was hacked on that account because I logged in from another PC and I had to reset the password and I guess it just didn't log back in so I had no idea that there was eMails there. Just been one thing after the other! I'm still working on that deal with you, and I'll do my best to keep you updated. Hang in there

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Hey Huskyvacs

Glad you are still out there and interested. DO let me know if you change your mind though.
We missed out on nice fall weather (went from hot to cold), so the box is not as much in the way now. However I still look forward to moving it out soon.
Please keep me posted now and then. Here is good if your email is still not working.