"throwbacks"

[dysonman1]

You guys are extremely optimistic. You must understand that virtually no one buys a new Kirby because they are shopping for one. The salesman gains entrance to a home, and does his thing. No distributor would stock two different models, so each salesman has two machines out on consignment. They have enough trouble keeping track of one machine per salesman. A smaller Kirby without power drive would have to be demonstrated to the customer AFTER the more expensive one, making the demo take even longer. The distributor and salesman would make LESS money (something no one wants to do). It would never fly.

 

[super-sweeper]

I love optimism!!!!

 

[sptyks]

If you want a small light Kirby without Tech Drive, then just buy yourself a 500 series Kirby from ebay or Craig's List. That would also include the D50 and the D80. There seems to be plenty of them to be had. The downside is that they may need some minor repairs.

 

[DesertTortoise]

Retro looks with modern tech certainly sells motorcycles. Cruisers aside even Ducati got into the game with their GTS 1000 and Paul Smart editions (BMW tried with their fugly R1200C but it didn't sell, and they are trying again with the much more credible R9T, a tribute to the old R90S gentleman's express). The Ducs are beautiful retro looking bikes with modern engines and chassis. They even commissioned Pirelli to make a modern radial tire with the tread design of the iconic old Pirelli MT28 Phantom, a tire every canyon scratcher in California either had on their bike or wished they did. That was the tire that most 70s and early 80's European sport bikes wore. It was symbolic of the bikes and the era so Ducati even sweated getting that detail right, but with a modern radial tire carcass underneath.

Imagine a modern take on a Lewyt 80! Maybe not? Frankly, Kenmore would have to do very little to something like my old cream colored 4.1 to add modern filtration and bring it up to UL standards. The existing old body already has the exhaust air very well segregated and changing a filter on one is super easy. Someone would probably gripe that it doesn't have a 360 degree swivel hose I guess. Sigh.