Royal 231, mostly (Stark branded)

[toastermike]

For many years I've hoping to find a nice Royal 231 canister for my collection, but they seem to be very rare. Last week at my local Goodwill Outlet Store I saw this one in someone's cart, unfortunate timing for me. I returned about 2 hours later, and spotted in in a bin of clothes! She changed her mind, probably because it was missing a caster. It was in exceptional condition, showing very little wear, and such a rare find, I bought it of course. As luck would have it, I had a cart with identical castors that became a donor, and I had a set of original light gray attachments except for the dusting brush. I also had the proper wands, but will need to find the original carpet attachment. The inside is spotless and has a date stamp of April 1973. Like many of the Royal's sold in the Portland OR area, it was branded for Stark's Vacuums. Does anyone know of a source for the correct paper bag liners?

April

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

toastermike

Mike,

Congratulations on finding your first Royal cylinder canister, especially one that was made for Stark's Vacuums!

I have seen a Stark's-branded model 401 Pony and the 931 Super Tank, but never a model 231.

~Ben

 

[human]

It's always fun to unexpectedly find something you've been hunting after for a long time. I'd say this one was meant to be. Hope you enjoy it.

 

[vacman117]

Love mine!

I had been after one of these for probably ten years before one finally popped up on Marketplace, I don't know why these weren't more popular?

Question- Does yours have the tool caddy attached to the machine, instead of the original larger casters? Mine had come with the separate caddy and it seemed like it was designed to just set the cleaner in it? I don't use it though since it's too clunky with double the amount of wheels.

Unfortunately, the chrome ring on mine was pretty far gone and I went ahead and sanded and repainted it (2nd picture). It didn't turn out too bad though!

 

[toastermike]

Mine does not have a tool caddy attached, it's part of the separate trolley. I've seen pictures of early models with the caddy attached. I suspect that the your separate trolley didn't come with your vacuum cleaner since you have modern castors on the machine. Mine does not have castors on it. Do you know when yours was made? It looks beautiful in the pictures!

 

[hygiene903]

Nice Finds!

Both of your 231's are beautiful! Although they were also available with the Electro-Hygiene or Regal name, I never saw one when I was selling Electro-Hygiene in the mid-70's. They were available, but for whatever reason we didn't carry them at our store. Don't know if you knew it, but the 231 was not made by Royal, but actually made by Kingston for Royal, and was also made in green, red, and pink. I'm hoping to find a blue one someday with the Electro-Hygiene name on it.
Jeff

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

toastermike

Mike,

I hope you read my last e-mail I gave you, about me considering trading you my 1972 Kirby Classic 1CR and 1987 Kirby Heritage II (and also some parts wanted for my 505 and 515)... I know you have a Classic III as well as the Legend II, but I wonder if you are actually looking for these particular two models that I wish to get rid of?

Thank you,



Ben

 

[vacman117]

Thank you for clarifying on the tool caddy! That's interesting that they didn't include it permanently on the later models.

My 231 is from 1985, and my matching 401 Pony is from 1981. It's actually a nightmare using the power nozzle with the 231. Since the hose doesn't swivel 360 around the top has to be set on in a specific direction; and the power nozzle cord just barely reaches the port on the bottom.

I also have the pink Royal version at home in storage, however, it's pretty rough and missing all of the wheels.