Kirby Vacuum Classic 1-CR With Attachments Rug Renovator

[brianl]

Hi,

I picked up this vacuum today off of Craigslist for a very good deal! Definitely needs a good cleaning, but supposedly was hardly, if ever, used. Sat in her Grandmother's back closet for many years until she passed away.

Here's some photos I took after I first got out home.

 

[brianl]

Seller photos

These were from the Craigslist ad, taken by the seller.

 

[huskyvacs]

Very nice Kirby! A lot of people sleep on this model but I think it's a really nice vacuum when you get to know it. Also props to the the seller for taking some of the more better craigslist photos I have seen. Nice and clear and well framed.

Did this one come with the shag rake too? It's so hard to find those intact as they break so easily.

 

[huskyvacs]

Oh also I forgot - check the pocket on the bag where the scraper is, often times people hide things in there, or also spare belts and stuff.

 

[brianl]

No shag rake

I will have to check the bag though to look for any hidden attachments. I did buy another set of red attachments from another seller on eBay, that did include the shag rake. I had initially bought these before I found this vacuum & attachments for my VII.

Also have attachments coming from eBay that are a better match for the VII. They are the light brown color. I may hold onto the red set if I ever get the matching red Kirby.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

BrianL

Your Classic 1CR's serial number makes it an earlier one, so there would be no holes yet on the sides of the nozzle to support it.

That only came out after about serial no. B200000 which puts that as being around December 1972, during the cleaner's final production season (1972-73).

~Ben

 

[brianl]

Date of delivery

I was lucky enough to get the manual, & the previous owner kindly filled in the info below.

 

[brianl]

Are these good belts?

I found this ad for a pretty irresistible price & wanted to get them for my VII & Classic, & eventually D50 & D80 when I am able to purchase. They say good for the shampooer as well.

My question is if I should really look for Kirby branded belts, or should these do just fine?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/250189189888?hash=item3a40701300:g:fcIAAMXQWlFRv1WW

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

BrianL

Brian,

These may do, but I believe you can still get original Kirby belts designed for the older models (159056).

I bought mine here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/183454128000?epid=917640663&hash=item2ab6b7d780:g:rfUAAOSwFixbqsgr

~Ben

 

[brianl]

I will definitely order these

If I later decided to upgrade the brush rolls to ball bearing, could I still use these belts? I was planning on stocking up on a bunch for the future, & did not want to have to go buy the knurled ones just because I upgraded the brush roll.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

BrianL

Brian,

Yes, you can... while the knurled (inside tread) belts have better handling, the softer belts tend to create less wear on the original aluminum fans.

~Ben

 

[brianl]

Thank you both for all the info

I already ordered everything I need & appreciate the help that was provided. Certainly am looking forward to using this vacuum & bringing it up to speed.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

BrianL

Brian,

You are most welcome and I hope you will continue to cherish this machine.

~Ben

 

[dysonman1]

Is the owner's information filled out on the last, inside page of the instruction manual?

That's the 'proof' people need when sending the machine to the Factory for a rebuild.

 

[human]

Wow!

What a find! I've always loved the Classic series although I've never owned one until just a few days ago when I acquired a Classic III. The Classic Omega was the first Kirby I ever saw when it was demonstrated in our living room when I was about ten. I was very impressed and was a little disappointed when we didn't buy one but that demo cemented the idea of Kirby being a super premium, perhaps even aspirational, brand of vacuum, an idea has stuck with me for nearly 50 years so the salesman was arguably successful on a certain level. Even if neither he nor the Kirby company made a dime off of the demo, they turned me into a lifelong Kirby fan.

Your classic has great bones, as they say, and it will shine up beautifully. Let us know how the project progresses.

 

[brianl]

Dysonman1

Yes it was. I posted the picture a little ways up the post. It was nice I was able to put a date to the machine.

May just clean it up really good & leave the patina. I love the shiny of course, but something about a machine showing it's age that I feel gives it some character.

 

[lesinutah]

Xysonman

If you have the proof could you basically lie and use the name in the manual with your own address send casb.and get it rebuilt?
I'm not saying I would but is it in the realm of of possibility.