Heres the pre-1980 addition to my Post-1980 chart. I have to give credit to Charles Richard, because i got info for the 500-series off of his website. Ill post a link k to the webpage.On the Kirby R-C series, there wasnt real much info, and i didnt know anything, exept i think the R stands for "retail". I didnt include every single detail because i dont have that much time. And please correct me if i get anything wrong.
Kirby Model 2R- 1935
Kirby 3R -19??
Kirby 4R- 19??
Kirby 2C-1939
Kirby 3C-19??
Kirby 4C-19??
Kirby 505- 1945-46: Black. First Kirby to have new "Magic Finger" belt lifter.
----------------------
Kirby 508-1948- Comepletely new color. Cloth cuff over metal bag top.
----------------------
Kirby 509- 1949: Bag redesigned slightly.
---------------------
Kirby 510-1950 :Almost identical to 509.
---------------------
Kirby 511-1951: Some Kirby literature said this kirby didnt exist! Almost identical to 510.
---------------------
Kirby 512- 1952 No changes other than model number.
---------------------
Kirby 513- Updated color scheme and bag.Smaller motor.New style bag and logo.New push on-off switch.
---------------------
Kirby 514- 1954: New bigger handle grip
--------------------
Kirby 515- 1955- New 10- bladed fan and simplified bag design.
-------------------
Kirby 516- 1956: First totally redesigned kirby in over 20 years. 5oth anniversary Kirby. New streamlined motor housing and new speckled bag.
-------------------
Kirby 517- 1957
Kirby 518- 1958
Kirby 519- 1959. No change between the 516-519 kirbys.
-------------------
Kirby 560- 1960: New style triangle belt lifter.
-------------------
Kirby 561- 1961. No changes.
-------------------
Kirby 562-1962 New tan color dubbed "sirroco". First kirby to be called "sanitronic". Bag now with little kirby logos all over them.
------------------
Kirby sanirronic VII- 1964
Almost identical to 562 exept for darker rubber bag topper.
------------------
Kirby Dual Sanitronic 50- 1965-1967
Called dual sanitronic because of new two-speed motor. Almost identical to 562 and sanitronic VII.Only kirby to have a glowing kirby logo on the hood.
-----------------
Kirby Dual sanitronic 80- 1967-1970
Hideious avacado green color. Different belt lifter logo and new handle design.
-----------------
Kirby classic- 1970-73
First redesigne kirby since 516. A lot bigger. Brown with yellow bag. Also new style belt lifter.
-----------------
Kirby Classic Omega 1973-1976
Identical to classic exept for greek omega logo.
----------------
Kirby Classic III- 1976-1979
Candy apple red. Other than new color, identical to classic and Classic Omega. Belt lifter has a clear hole in it.
VW
