MINT Kirby Classic III on EBay UK

madabouthoovers · Mar 24, 2013

This just came up on ebay - possibly the best Classic 3 in the UK.
Is £375 a good price?
The only thing is the serial number seems to be ground out, and it doesn't use paper bags, which slightly puts me off it, but what a Kirby!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-K...955?pt=UK_Vacuum_Cleaners&hash=item51aa5744db

kirbyclassiciii · Mar 24, 2013

Serial #

I would think the serial # might be in a different place with respect to the fact this is a UK-spec machine. I know that twocvbloke found that out on his Classic III.

~Ben

madabouthoovers · Mar 24, 2013

It does have a serial number on the base label, as shown in the photos but not it seems on the pressing on the front of the fan housing exit, as later Kirbys do. Did the serial numbers change type on the earlier models?, as on the Heritage 1 and G7e I have, both serial numbers contain the year of manufacture.

kirbyclassiciii · Mar 24, 2013

Steve,

Here in the U.S., the Classic III was the first Kirby to have its serial # be stamped on the plaque on the fan case housing. The Classic Omega and other older Kirbys had the serial # stamped on the nameplate. The Classic III also had the honor of being the first Kirby with the "Vis-A-Belt" window.

~Ben

dysondestijl · Mar 25, 2013

Goodness, that's beautiful!

craig_1982 · Mar 25, 2013

That is one very nice looking kirby so tempted to get it could probably save the £30 posted and collect myself

dysondestijl · Mar 25, 2013

@craig_1982 from your profile you obviously love kirbys! Well so do I

machineage · Apr 6, 2013

Thank You!

Thanks for the kind comments regarding the CIII

I have been restoring Kirbys for some time - mainly the Sentria for the mainstream market. However I have ground-up restored a few early machines - and intend to refurbish more to this standard which I hope will attract the specific market of collectors - or those who just prefer vintage Kirbys.

I have been given permission by the webmaster (Robert) to let you guys know of future completed restorations - as he would like to see the pictures of the cleaners on here - as I hope might others.

During refurbishment I bring the castings back to as new condition - and remove all scratches & dings etc through a multi-stage process. This is a very labour intensive & dirty job - but reaps rewards. I replace motor bearings with high quality SKF units - motor brushes - brushrolls - all gaskets - wheels - trims etc... I am a bit of a perfectionist - and anything I am not happy with is replaced. I spend an <span style="text-decoration: underline;">awful</span> lot of time & expense on the restoration process - however I find it very rewarding to bring these superb quality machines up to this level.

A few pictures of the CIII follow.

All the best - Chris.

[this post was last edited: 4/6/2013-05:50]