Mismatched Kirby

[hmc1981]

Hey everyone!

I have a question... but before I ask, I have to explain what happened.

Saw a nice looking Classic III on OfferUp, made an offer and it was accepted. Drove an hour and 20 minutes to pick it up. I arrive and the vacuum I bid on was not completely what was in the photo. I was a bit upset, but noticed a couple of things, and as I’m building my collection (and have equipment to restore) went ahead and bought it.

Now... I’m more familiar with models from Tradition upto today, so I’m fairly lost with models earlier.

The body itself is a D80, the handle I think is a Classic III, and the cloth bag is some aftermarket thing branded as “no-dust.”

I’d like to turn this thing back into anD80... so... my question...

Looking at the photos, what do the experts see that is incorrect, and where do I find correct replacement parts? Also, I’ve never seen a D80 with red trim on the power head, so it appears that someone just slapped a bunch of fitting parts together to make this thing.

Side note, if anyone has a D80 or a D50 for sale (a complete one, lol) let me know!

 

[human]

Kirbys with the wrong color scheme have been known to show up from time to time. Often, they've been 'updated' by a dealer to more closely resemble the then-current model, which in this case would likely have been a Classic III.

 

[hmc1981]

Ahhh!

That makes sense. I can only wonder how long ago the swap took place. Also, how many people never noticed. The pictures I’ve posted are how I purchased the machine, I’ve done nothing to it. It needs a bit of correcting and polishing, but overall it’s in better shape than a lot of the Kirbys I find here in humid muggy Florida. I’d like to get this thing back to what it was when it was built. Also, the “shiny” parts of it are all in areas that are visible, underneath, and other hooks and crannies need polishing very badly. I’m looking forward to updating it and making it right.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

hmc1981

My best guess would have been between 1976-79, the period that the Classic III was sold.

Here is my 1969 Dual Sanitronic 80, all original!

~Ben