The Kirby Company: Models Through the Years

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jaker15

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 3, 2013
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Meridian, ID
Hey there, Luxy1205! Here's some information regarding Kirby's vacuum cleaners, as well as which one makes a good daily driver. Every Kirby enthusiast has a different opinion on which model is best for frequent use, but it's entirely up to you to decide which model(s) to add to your collection!

As well as collecting vacuums, I also have a couple of old air-cooled engines from the 40's. Both of them run fairly well, but I never use them to power anything. They just sit in my yard and run. LOL

I have only used a few of the numerous models Kirby produced over the years, including:
-Classic III
-Heritage II
-G3
-514
-G5
-Sentria II

Out of the ones I have used, the 514 and Classic III are tied for my favorite. The 514 is very lightweight compared to newer models, handles well, and is just a fun cleaner overall. Keep in mind that the "500" series was produced from 1945 until 1963. The last "500" model was the 562, then came the Sanitronic 7. After the S7, Kirby introduced the Dual Sanitronic 50 in 1965. The "Dual" refers to the 2-speed motor that changed from a low, carpet-cleaning speed to a higher speed when the accessory hose was installed. This was the basis for the newest models, all of which have 2-speed motors. Introduced in 1967 was the Dual Sanitronic 80, which was similar to the DS50, but had many improvements & features that the previous model lacked. In 1970, the Classic was introduced, and thus signified the end of the First Generation of cleaners, and started the Second Generation. After the Classic came the very famous Classic III, first released in 1976. This is arguably the best model Kirby ever made. It's a monster. It had a huge nozzle, streamlined chassis, and a very pretty red color scheme. And man, does it roar! I think that the design was heavily influenced by the cars of the 70's. In 1981, Kirby released the Tradition. It was a lot like the Classic III, very similar in design, but the most noticeable difference is the color. Instead of ruby red, it's sapphire blue. The biggest difference in design is that it was the first model to use disposable bags. All of the previous models used a shake-out system, referred to as the Sani-Emptor. From the Tradition on, Kirby's machines used disposable paper bags.
After the Tradition, the Heritage was introduced. Shortly after came the Heritage II/Legend, then the Legend II in 1989. In 1993, the Second Generation ended and the Generation 3 was released. Then came the G4, then the G5, then G6. The G6 lasted until the turn of the century, after which the Ultimate G was released in 2002. In 2003, Kirby released the Ultimate G Diamond Edition. The most unique feature of the Diamond Edition was the Normal/Delicate speed selector switch. In 2006, Kirby unveiled the Sentria. It lasted until 2012, then the current model, the Sentria II, was released.


I apologize if this is a bit too long, but I hope that it helped at least a little bit! Note to other Kirby enthusiasts: if you see that I made a slight error anywhere in the information, please correct me! :) I'd also like to hear your opinions on what you think is the best daily driver out of all the models.
 
Kirby Question

Hey, I'm watching an auction for a Kirby Heritage II that's missing the beater bar and bottom plate. My question is: are those common enough parts to buy and do you know if they are relatively inexpensive??? Thanks! :) -Michelle
 
John!

You let "one of those Blue ones" On the SAME rug as your HOOVER? Have you lost it?! John, you know WELL that's a KIRBY TRADITION, Just like that HOOVER to it's right is a DECADE 800!


Do you REALLY want to sell it?or can you not wait to groom those rugs with it?
smiley-wink.gif
 
I'm curious to know if Kirby machines, like Aerus/Electrolux have names and models?

It's also interesting to note that naming machines really caught on in the 1970s--at least for Kirby and Electrolux. The former had the Classic in 1970, and the latter had the Jubilee (later referred to as the Golden Jubilee) in 1974.
 
Yes, I know it's a TRadition! llolo

Actually, I HAVE lost it, too. (well, not everything). NO, it only touched that little red rug...... which was taken care of promtly.


I justlike to "tease" people with , "the blue one, the red one," etc....... And, NO. I don't need it to groom anything. Yes, it was surrounded bu HOOVERS.... silently looking on, kinda like The Secret Service!!
 
Legend 2

I asked for opinions last week weather to go old or new and no one replied. So I followed my own instincts and bought a rebuilt Kirby legend 2 today from a Kirby dealer who has been here 52 years. I bought a Classic 3 from him back in the 70's. This one is much quieter, easier to handle, nice tool holder and you don't have to empty it out, it has a disposable bag.
I am replacing my Kenmore canister that I am tired of. I hope I made the right decision. This could be my last vac!
 
My favorite era of Kirby seems to begin with the Dual Sanitronic 50 because it was the first to have a two-speed motor. The higher second speed is activated with the hose only. The same era ends with the Legend II, the last in a line of Kirbys going back to the Classic of 1970.

~Ben
 
Classic series

The Classic was introduced in early 1970 and lasted until 1973. Then, the Classic Omega was introduced with new double insulation to assure safety. The Classic Omega ended in 1976, and was superseded by the Classic III. The Classic III lasted until 1979, then the Tradition was introduced and lasted until 1981. I saw it was a bit fuzzy in the description. Keep in mind that disposable bags were optional until the end of the Legend II, as some had the original Sani-Emtor and an awkward to shake plastic bag top.
 
Clayton,

True. The shake-out bag was the other reason why I cut off at the Legend II... from the Generation 3 onward, it was disposable bags only.

Also, the 13" nozzle was made optional again during Heritage 1HD sales, and was probably brought back in early 1983. As with the shake-out bag system, very few were ordered and the option disappeared when the Legend II was replaced by the Generation 3.

~Ben
 
why of course,

The HOOVERS are watching! They're making sure you don't leave them for that KIRBY! Our.....just out on scheduled dust bunny patrol.....


 


Just remember John.....a collection starts with one, and that's not the ONLY Kirby you own
smiley-wink.gif



But since you do like HOOVERS, I wool complement what appears to be 67 behind that 'blue thing', like I said,I need to brush up on my HOOVER models!


 


Ben, with the Heritage 84 debuting in 1984, that would mean a scarce run of original Heritage I small heads, with all other Heritage and Legend series models being completely capable to have a factory small head, this may prove useful as a quick-and-dirty way of dating a Heritage I.
 
that's funny,

That the Heritage 84 is more rare than a regular Heritage, even with the small nozzle package. Is the exact date as to the introduction off the Heritage I small nozzle unknown? From their a VERY tough ballpark figure of possible Heritage I small head-equipped cleaners could be possible.  


 


SonnyDad-I got a brand new Heritage II with small nozzle and attachments for $40, used only four times
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super-sweeper++3-27-2014-19-49-11.jpg
 
Alex,

I did say the 13" nozzle option for the Heritage I was introduced by the time a new updated instruction book was issued in March 1983. Honestly, I truly do not know if it was really introduced then or in the spring of 1982 with the Comvac model 1300, the model that shares its brush roll (the Comvac 1600 shares its brush roll with the standard 16" wide HI nozzle).

Given that the part no. for the 13" HI nozzle was 143382S, it was likely introduced with the HI's early 1983 updates. The instruction book for the 1983 and '84 HI sales was dated March 1983. In any case, as the 13" nozzle was not often spoken for, it is safe to say that either variation of it (with the HI or H84 label) is rare.

~Ben
 
Ben,


 


Perhaps the ComVac was the entire reason the Heritage series has the small nozzle reintroduced? If not, why would there not be a small nozzle available for the Classic series? The ComVac's predecessors, the American Lincoln and the Super-Sweep/Sani-Sweep, were they not only available as an '18 Inch floor path, not available as an '13 Inch path? Was the '13 Inch path only reintroduced on the ComVac 1300? Could this have been a way to use up parts left over, mainly small nozzles on both commercial and household models, and the Heritage 84 also being a way to use leftover parts?


 


Oh,I love the way we sit here and ponder Kirbaci (plural Kirby or something
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) back and forth!
 
Alex,

The A-L Super-Sweep (Super-Vac 180 from 1982-84) was an 18" wide cleaner, but there was a 13" A-L model too (I don't know if it was called the "Sani-Sweep" or not). I honestly don't understand why Kirby didn't continue using the 13" nozzle beyond the Dual Sanitronic 80.

Anything about exhausting existing parts in stocks might be possible; however, there were a few customers who did not like the standard 16" wide nozzle and Kirby gave those customers the 13" wide option during the Heritage I run, but it was discontinued after the Legend II was replaced by the Generation 3.

The 13" nozzle is also desirable to that class of people since it is supposed to provide a more even flow of suction.

~Ben
 

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