Prototype Kirbys - Did At Least One of Them Exist?

[kirbyclassiciii]

Reading those Kirby instruction books has me thinking... did at least one of these prototype Kirby vacuums - as seen in the instruction books - ever exist?

For example: on page 5 of the Kirby Classic (1CR, 1970-73) instruction book, we can see the arm-type speed switch that was officially used on the Classic Omega, Classic III and Tradition. That is prototypical proof right there, because that speed switch didn't actually exist until the Classic Omega (elsewhere in the instructions we can still see the actual "L"-shaped, two-button speed switch). The front wheels in that same picture did, however, make it past the prototype stage.

The front wheels on most pages in the Classic instruction book are prototype. In addition, the "Miracle Head" is called a "fluffer-polisher" according to the belt lifter label (see pages 8 and 18).

~Ben

 

[sonnyndad]

I believe there was a prototype from around 1988 or so when Kirby was trying to get the G3 right. It looked like a Heritage II G3 blend. There should be a picture of it somewhere on Vacuumland.

 

[super-sweeper]

The first of the Self-Propelled cleaners,

That was a Legend II, Some members here have prototype Kirbys. Photos of them would likely be frowned upon by Kirby.


HOWEVER, Could this below be a prototype Generation Series machine? This is from the poorly-photoshop-ed "Warehouse" of Jim Keeler, the man behind that terrible Kirby bagless conversion kit (Why on earth would you want a bagless kirby? especially one that forces dirt straight into the filter?).


 


 

 

[super-sweeper]

Closer up-

$99 for 2 pieces of PVC pipe and a tank from a Eureka Optima, what a splendid deal!

 

[super-sweeper]

ACTUAL prototype!

The Heritage II/Generation mash-up!


(Owned by User: LunchBoxSean in Australia-Link to his thread below).


 


I would've loved the Generation series to look like this!



http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?14754

 

[rugsucker]

Kirby conversions

There was a power drive kit offered for Kirby about the mid 70s from someone in Fla.It seems to have been drive wheels,handle grip,etc from a power drive Hoover.Have only seen ad to dealers.Anyone seen a Kirby with this kit?

 

[dysonman1]

Jimmy: That crappy conversion to self propelled was done by the huckster Jim Keeler. They were called "Keeler Conversions" and made the back of the machine six inches longer. It was horrible. A friend with a vac shop had one for ten years, never could sell it.

 

[tolivac]

Was just thinking of that Keeler "Clog-O-Matic" device for the Kirby-may it might work if you are vacuuming the "fluff" ourt of a new carpet.Sometime would like to try that dreaded device anyway--just for sport.Have plenty of bagged Kirbys and other machines to clean its filter.The add-on Keeler converter sounds weird.

 

[crazykirbydude]

I wonder if there was ever a sticker on the handle. There is stuff that looks like adhesive residue. Anyone else have any other prototype Kirbys?

 

[myvacsrock]

There is no adhesive residue on this machine...it is completely smooth. It is just a machined piece of metal. I can tell you nothing has ever been on it.

 

[kirbyg6]

I think the G4 used in the video owners manual is a prototype I might be wrong though

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

KirbyG6....

please tell us WHY you think that???

 

[kirbyg6]

Look at kirbys comments on part one

 

[crazykirbydude]

I think the G3 in the G3 owner's video is a prototype. If you look closely at the motor cooling vent, the slats are going vertical, not horizontal like the final.

 

[a007kirbyman]

Adin & G3 cooling vents, "...prototype..."

"...motor cooling vent, the slats are going vertical..."


Hello Adin,

The Kirby G3 did have vertical vent slots when it was initially produced & sold.

Cheers & hagd/n all,

Bill

 

[kirbykleankarpet]

The Kirby Ultimate G Instruction Video

If you look in the Kirby Ultimate G instruction video, you will notice that the Diamond Edition's Speed Selector Switch is on the Ultimate G. Granted, the Diamond Edition IS an Ultimate G, but the video clearly depicts the original Ultimate G with the speed switch on the side of the chassis. I about spilled my drink looking at that, because the Speed Selector Switch wasn't available until the Diamond Edition in 2003. Check it out on Kirby Company's YouTube channel.

 

[pr-21]

I think the last of the Ultimate G's were made with the speed selector switch, as they were getting ready to switch over. At least that is what a Kirby dealer told me at the time.

PR-21
Bud

 

[gsheen]

I Love prototype vacuums, especially early samples in the design phase. Those early test jigs made from parts of other existing vacuums.
With Cad these days this stage is now often on a computor and missed in real life.

When a new vacuum comes into fruition It happens in two ways.
Most common is that Marketing says to the engineering and design department they need a new vacuum and they outline the parameters.

The other way is that the engineers get a bee in their bonnet about something and build a crude but working test rig and show it to the marketing department who then see's if they can sell the idea. This is the far cooler way if you are into test rigs and prototyping because its often done after hours or in the spare time. The rigs are awesome. I have two of them from my days at Electrolux SA. I must get them out of storage and post picks of them.

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Sorry for bringing back a very old thread, but I wanted to mention for those who didn't know. In the Sentria owners video, the Sentria used has a delicate switch. Which could indicate that Kirby wanted to continue with the switch, though it is never mentioned in the video. It is interesting to see though. Here is the video (part one). You see it a few times after the 3:30 timestamp.