New addition..Royal 808

[kenmore81]

I haven't posted in a while. I've had alot going on but i thought I'd share the New to me vacuum. Its my first Royal upright and so far i love it. I wish I'd got more pics b4 i left. Ben is the year at the beginning of the serial number or the end? Its either from 85 or 90.

 

[ncovert]

The first three digits are the month and year. The letter (first digit) is a month, and the numbers are the year.


 


Example:


 


D85-X-XXXXXX


 


D is April, and 85 is 1985


 

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Yes, the serial # says this machine was made in April 1985. It starts with the date code you mention "D85" (D=April, 85=year 1985).

The next letter after the date code should be an "E" or "F."

Please do give me the picture of its nameplate when you get the chance.

BTW, the model number for this machine is 888 and in this case, going by the fact this was made in 1985, it would have a 5.4 amp motor.

~Ben

 

[kenmore81]

Thanks guys. It is in fact April 85 then cause I do believe its a D85-x-xx90.I will be back there in Sept. n I will try to remember a pic of the plate Ben. Im almost positive it said 808 but I could be wrong. Now to scout attachments when I get some funds back lol.

 

[jfalberti]

I think Ben is right

By the looks of the front of this Royal, it has a belt lifter and a removable nozzle like a Kirby.  I believe this was the only model Royal made with that feature, however Electro Hygiene also made one in red.


 


Joe

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Joe,

Exactly. The Electro-Hygiene version was the model 980.

Also, Royal made another blue trim model of the 888, but it was known as the Galaxie Prestige 990 and bearing all of the same special features.

After Electro-Hygiene went bust in 1982-83, the 980 became a Royal "Master Dealer" equivalent of the 888, just as the 903 was the MD version of the 880.

~Ben

 

[hygiene903]

Nice Find Kenneth!

Attachments, wands, and hose for Royal uprights do come up on ebay from time to time. However, this model (as well as the Electro-Hygiene 980 and Galaxy Prestige 990) takes a special hose adapter, and they are hard to find, as well as the power polisher that was available for these models. I have the Electro-Hygiene version and would love to find the accessories for it too. Here's a pic of my 980.
Jeff

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

I've been told by Kenny H. (this is his machine) the serial # is actually J85F008590 which means this machine was built in October 1985. Yes, it does use a 5.4 amp motor.

~Ben