The Kirby Classic

[eurekastar]

When you get to be my age, the birthday gifts and birthday wishes seem to be fewer in number than in years past.  So this year, I gave myself a birthday gift -- this Classic 1CR!  After a couple of days in Bill's Vacuum Spa, she's as good as new!

 

[eurekastar]

This is probably my favorite model for a variety of reasons.  It truly is a transitional model.  It's motor setup shares more in common with the 500/Sanitronic models than it does with later models.  It uses the same bearings, front bearing plate, and step on switch as the late 500 series models.  The switch is simply mounted to a bracket and moved to the back. 

 

[eurekastar]

While it's younger sibling -- "The Omega" -- bears a striking resemblance, her motor, motor housing, bearings, and switches are all different. 

 

[eurekastar]

And here are the two older siblings posing with the Classic III.  She has a new frock for Fred and Roberts wedding!

 

[eurekastar]

Two or three questions

1)Is this bumper on correctly?  I never know if the thin edge goes up or down. 


2)  For all those who do there own buffing:  Is there a way to get stains out?  The headlight    casting has some stains that I couldn't sand and/or buff out.  any suggestions? 


 


This machine had a few deep gouges that couldn't be sanded or buffed out with compromising the casting.  But it still turned out pretty well! 

 

[kevin]

Belated Happy Birthday, Bill, and congratulations on your self gift of a Kirby Classic/1CR! I don't know much about Kirbys except what I have read online but wanted to let you know that I'm impressed with your machines and knowledge of them.

Btw, one of the things I learned is that the Classics actually debuted in 1969--not 1970 as some have mentioned. Someone posted a pic of his machine's id tag, and it had "1969" on it. Does the tag on your machine also have a year on it? I believe the Classics ran from 1969-1973, the Omegas were manufactured from 1973-1976, and the Classic IIIs from 1976-1979.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Kevin,

The instruction book actually has a printing date of January 1970.

~Ben

 

[kevin]

Thanks, Ben. They must have printed the booklet after beginning production of the machines.

 

[DesertTortoise]

Eurekastar, there is a Kirby G series that looks to be ok, the handle has some side to side play but no obvious damage, for $10 at a thrift store in my town. I posted a thread with the contact information for the thrift store selling the Kirby.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Kevin,

The trademark for the newer Kirby logo the Classic inaugurated was registered in August 1969. I would think the initial announcement for the Classic 1CR took place around September or October, but the release wasn't official until February 1970.

~Ben

 

[vac-o-matic]

Bumper question....

Well Bill, I just went in and looked at the bumpers on the Classic and the Omega. On my Omega, the thinner side is up. My Classic may have a replacement bumper, don't remember, but it doesn't have a "thinner lip" like the other. I also just looked at my Tradition and Classic III, and all the bumpers are a little different. I've not really paid close enough attention before to notice...lol. I take my Kirbys to a friend's vac shop for buffing, so however I get them back is the way they are. I had these done many years ago, so I don't remember replacement parts from the time he did them. I just know they look good and are color correct! Does anyone know if they modified the bumpers on each one of the aforementioned models enough to be a little different?

 

[kevin]

Ben,

It's interesting, then, that Kirby choee to date it's first Classic units as 1969. Even though the official release wasn't until February 1970, I wonder if some were sold from August 1969 to that time albeit on a smaller level?

It does remind me, though of many cornerstones of buildings. Generally speaking, the building was not actually put to use until the following calendar year than what is on the stone due to the time it took to construct the building. While it's not apples and apples it provides some reasoning behind Kirby's decision to put "1969" on the early tags of the Classics/ICRs. In this case, one could say, then, that the Kirby Classic was designed and first manufactured in 1969 and was released for mass sales in 1970.

I wonder how many other cleaners have similar situations with initial production and release years?