Updated my Kirby collection with a 512 and Classic 3

[craig_1982]

Hello, It's been a while since I've updated my Kirby collection but over the past week I have managed to get two
A Kirby 512 rebuilt by Kirby in the seventies, and a classic 3 both in working order. The classic 3 needs only a couple of things which I have ordered, they are :-
A new head/nozzle bumper and a new belt lifter with decals.
There's a few things I've got coming for the 512 which include :-
A new head/nozzle Bumper (red).
A new bottom base plate for sani-emtor (black) which will replace the worn tan coloured one currently on it.
As the top handle grip is red along with the headlight trim and the nozzle bumper (coming) I'm going to spray the tan coloured belt lifter red to match the rest (looked around on internet for the proper belt lifer but cannot find one)

I have also had to purchase a transformer to run the 512 with it being 110volt

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi,

<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Hi Craig, Hope your ok. Your Kirby's are coming along nicely!</span>


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Take pics after your spares you have ordered arrive and have been fitted to your waiting Kirby's.</span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James

</span>

 

[ncovert]

I notice your Classic III has its sani emp-tor, but a Legend II bag. Is it a shakeout or has it been converted to disposable bags?

 

[craig_1982]

Hello James, yes my collection is slowly growing up to 14 now loving this 512 so light and easy to push. I'll add updated pics once I get the parts fitted I'm hoping to receive them by the end of the week.


Hello Noah, its been converted to take disposable bags by the previous owner

Some of my Kirbys got another two Legends 2's, G4, Vacuette and Heritage 2 elsewhere.

 

[craig_1982]

Hello All, Today I got my Kirby 512 fitted with new parts I'm pretty happy with how it looks, it want's some more polishing but for now I'm happy to admire it as it is.
It's had a thorough clean down and polishing all new trims in Tan colour and a new belt fitted.
I love using it so light and easy to push also I cant believe how quiet it is compared to the later models.
All the part's I got from America off the Ebay shop kirbyfans some of you probably know this shop big thank you to kent.

Next on the list is the Classic 3 which I have all the part's for now.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi,

<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Hi Craig, Your Kirby 512 looks very smart now with the matching tan Colour. </span>


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">So when will you be getting more 500 series Kirbys?

</span>


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I keep thinking about getting a factory rebuilt Kirby 500 series in tan one day as I think they look smart.</span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Hope you get the new parts on your Classic III put on soon.</span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James

</span>

 

[ultimatevacman]

Hi Craig, you have a great collection of Kirbys!
That 512 looks really nice now after it's had it's parts fitted.

 


Joe

 

[craig_1982]

Hello James,
Thank's for the comments, yes I do plan on getting more, I'm not sure exactly what 500 model it is but I really like the one that has the red trim with grey wheels I think it looks stunning.
As for the Classic I'll probably start tomorrow after I finish work shouldn't take me too long hopefully.

A before and after shot of my 512

 

[craig_1982]

Hi Joe,
Thank's for the comments, yes I'm starting to get quite a collection of them plenty more to come as well in the future.

 

[cb123]

Congratulations, that's one fine Kirby unit! I must say, 512's are one of my very favorites. Great job!

 

[ultimatevacman]

I'm hoping to get some more Kirbys too, currently I only have a Tradition.


 

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

The only problem is, the earliest export-market Kirbys to be sold on your side of the Atlantic were Classic Omegas and Classic IIIs, and were sold through an exclusive distributor-type deal until Kirby established a sales-and-service network of its own in the UK circa 1980.

~Ben

 

[rootcyclone]

Great looking machines, Craig!

 

[madabouthoovers]

I cant remember when I last saw a Classic Omega for sale in the UK, if ever. They are VERY rare. Have seen the odd Classic 3 - a rebuilt version went local to me several months back, but I couldn't afford the price tag.
The fact that Kirby only established a foothold in the UK in 1980 explains why we see very few examples of Kirbys older than the Tradition.
Also, older models than the Tradition didn't use paper bags, and this would have limited their sales in the Uk as most people wanted disposable bags by the 1970's. Shakeout bags were not popular here, and the fact that the Tradition was the first Kirby to use them would have helped its sales no end.
In my opinion, the Classic - Legend2 platform of Kirby was better than the current tech drive version - whilst the tech drive is good, the noise it makes can become annoying.
Its amazing to think that in the last 80 odd years, there have only been 3 platforms of Kirbys, and the UK never got the first one, although there are collectors here that have had pre 1970 models imported, and they all run on US only voltage.

Craig - have you ever worked as a Kirby Salesman? just wondering, as you'd make the ideal salesman. I tried it in the mid 90's but didn't do very well - you need the gift of the gab to be a good Kirby salesman - and the ability to handle rejection most of the time. A very difficult job as so many people had heard of Kirby for the wrong reasons back then.

 

[turbo500]

Classic - Legend2 Kirby was better than tech drive version

I agree. And the silly thing is, without the increased weight caused by the techdrive, you probably wouldn't need the techdrive anyway. The Legend was one of the lightest and easiest to use, IMO.

But I suppose the techdrive is a bit of a mod-con that could aid Kirby in selling a machine that doesn't look particularly hi-tech.

 

[madabouthoovers]

Kirbys are never intended to look high tech. They are a timeless classic machine, that has changed very little from the orginal design dating back nearly a century. The design is effective and simple. Basically a brushroll, a fan and a bag, and that's it.
A high tech Kirby just wouldn't be a Kirby. People have come to expect a Kirby to be a classic retro vac of the style of a bygone era. The expect it to be simple, effective and timeless, but above all, reliable and durable. If Kirby put too many lights, gadgets and features on the basic design it would look stupid, as the brand was never envisaged to be a modern contemporary looking machine.

It will be very interesting to see what the replacement for the Generation platform looks like when it eventually comes, as the Generation platform has now been around for nearly a quarter of a century.

 

[turbo500]

Whilst that may be the case, they still have to compete in a modern market. The tech drive allows for the cleaner to look like the classic, reliable machine that customers know and love but has something new and more high-tech to offer. But the original point was that without the techdrive being present, it would make the machine lighter and therefore wouldn't need the techdrive. Kind of like the techdrive itself is creating the need for techdrive.

 

[madabouthoovers]

The Heritage1 I use most often can be hard to push at times, but usually this is against the grain or nap of the carpet, and the soleplate accumulates a black tarry substance as well that needs frequent cleaning off. I think the tech drive makes my G7 so easy to push, agreed, but I just have a soft spot for the older platform - such a beautiful and graceful machine, and the art of simplicity which makes it so reliable for a 32 year old vac. How many Dysons do you think will still be fully functional at 32 years old?

 

[turbo500]

How many Dysons will still be fully functional at 32 years

How many Dysons will be FUNCTIONAL, never mind fully, at 32 years old. The reliability factor is really a major bonus for Kirby and, as I'm sure you're aware, when they're maintained correctly could potentially outlive the user.