The last company to bring back an old favorite was Hoover with the Stainless Steel (or White) Constellation even as dark forces were gathering at the gates. Sure it was made in China and much of the interior fittings were plastic but the styling and suction remained intact. To me this is the last of the true Hoovers...with the 100th Anniversary Series from TTI a final dying gasp, as I imagine the Centennial Editions were the last to have actual input from North Canton. As for the machines we see today lining the aisles of Big Box and Department Stores or small independent Vacuum Shops, with the purloined Hoover Bug slapped on, let no one for one minute in their most fervent wishful fantasies believe that these are 'Hoover'. You can now find these SS Connies un-opened in the box for less than $75 if you search far and wide enough. I intend to put a deserved 100th Anniversary sticker on mine.
If Kirby can make a go of it (and I believe they can judging from what these radical and eminently practical designs suggest) re-interpreting their own legacy machines as all-new, unique and quality machines that look and operate like no other on the market then they will soldier on as the last of the Great American Vacuums. Electrolux and Compact/Tristar have managed to keep afloat producing the same basic configurations that will today set you back in excess of $2000. There will always be a market for Maseratis, Maybachs, Veyrons and Aston Martins, too. Then along comes Fisker with his uber-luxury Electric Vehicle appealing to the same but less conservative crowd of early adopters - he will sell every automobile he produces.
Kirby occupies a singular and lofty niche in high end versatile metal vacuums for which discerning consumers have been content to pay the asking price as Sentrias evolved from the G Series and with that kind of willing customer base a smaller company like Kirby will have no need or temptation to over produce product. Kirby has enjoyed steady success over many decades and has not had to cater to the masses with a cheaper secondary economy line with the Kirby name applied on something plastic. Riccar and Miele own their targeted markets because they take the same basic design and offer upgrades from economy model to top-of-the-line.
Should this new machine be produced primarily in cast metal as the patents indicate, whether to these exact specs or something equally innovative that allows for Kirby's legendary power and versatility, then folks will buy it and thank their lucky stars such a fine device is still available.
Certainly Kirby could put out this new machine at a more attractive and more widely attainable price point if they opted to replace body & nozzle castings and things like the handle with plastic but I bet they will not and would not do so - that is not their style.
I'm so wishing for the best outcome my wisher is sore; I won't be able to afford a new one but then, that's why I'm a collector of fine vintage machines to satisfy that craving for well built products.
Within 6 months, you say? Be still my anxious heart...
Dave.
