Updated my Kirby collection with a 512 and Classic 3

[craig_1982]

Yeah I agree Steve, I'm guilty of it I would rather order kirby parts belts bags from off the internet in the convienience of my own home and wait for the goods to come for me, than take a trip up to Shelton to get them from the shop on the same day, Although after hearing from you its now closed I would have had a wasted trip anyway lol

 

[madabouthoovers]

Yes - I drove up there myself earlier this year to find that its closed down. I went to the official Kirby dealer in Longport, and the guy there said KD had closed. He sold me a second hand hose for my Heritage, a new brushroll and some belts, so I'd rather support my local Kirby dealer, even if I did pay a bit more than I wanted to for the stuff - at least I didn't have to pay postage

 

[madabouthoovers]

Well, I just won a really nice G4 for £47, cant get better than that - it was the model I was trying to sell back in 1994 for over a grand when I worked briefly for Kirby.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kirby-G4-...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[craig_1982]

Wow £47 for that bargain Steve a quick clean and polish it'l look like almost new.

 

[craig_1982]

Well I got my Classic 3 done pretty pleased with the results although not a match for the Classic 3 in the picture a few posts above.
This turned out to have a few more part's than I first thought.

*New power lead
*Front nozzle bumper guard
*Front nozzle belt lifter with decals
*Front nozzle rug plate gasket
*New belt
*New headlight trim
*Two new front wheels
*Two new cable winders on the handle
*Dust/splash guard for the cable end

 

[madabouthoovers]

Its great aint it - when you think what a Kirby costs brand new, and what they fetch second hand - what can you buy now for £47, an Argos value upright or very cheap Vax.
Depending on what its like and as I'm not a huge fan of the Generation series, I may polish it up with the handi-butler and re-sell it. Am waiting for the seller to contact me now with a collection address. I always prefer the pre-generation models, but for the money, this G4 is indeed a bargain if its in good working order with an undamaged fan.

 

[madabouthoovers]

Re - your Classic 3, are you going to look for an original shakeout bag for it to complete the authenticity? Is that parts list what it already had, or what you spent on it?
It does look OK with the Legend2 bag on though - I assume you converted the Sani-emptor to house a fill tube assy?

 

[craig_1982]

Oh yeah Steve it's too good a bargain to miss I think once I start looking at Kirby's for doing up and selling something like that I'd go for.

My Two new machines.

 

[craig_1982]

Steve, the Classic 3 bag was converted by the previous owner I haven't decided yet what to do with the bag I may keep an eye out see if I can find one in the future but at the moment I can't spend any more money I'v spent too much this month lol.
As for the parts list that is what I brought new from America (Kirbyfans E-Bay shop) I also got other things as well such as Flitz polish, handle spring winding tool, fan locking tool, and a hose nozzle to fit my Tradition.

 

[madabouthoovers]

I bet that lot cost a fair packet especially having it shipped from the US.

Its nice to see a 512 actually in the UK, and as its from 1952, its in great condition for 61 years old. Its a lot taller in the handle than the Classic 3 though, although the nozzle is smaller. It really is amazing just how little Kirbys have changed in their history.

All respect to you for restoring such an iconic vac as the 512 - it isn't cheap is it lol.

 

[craig_1982]

The shipping wasn't too bad Steve I did two order's with Kent (the seller) as I had so much to order. As for the 512 I love it such a nice machine I never noticed the taller handle until you mentioned it lol, I originally wanted well still want a ComVac 1300 but the chances of getting one of these are slim. I saw this 512 on E-Bay from a seller in con-way and brought the 512 its a Kirby rebuild which was done in April 1972, Yeah okay it's not the ComVac I wanted, but since it's had the new parts on I think its stunning and an excellent substitute. It's also practical too with having the smaller nozzle it get's in between furniture where the larger Kirby's cant get.

 

[70catalina]

That Classic III...

a few posts above is absolutely stunning! I don't think a Kirby could get any shinier!


~Jim

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi,

<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Hi People, Why in the UK the Omega was probably the 1st to be sold as Kirby arrived around 1973ish there was rebadged Vacuettes and Scott Fetzer Sanitation Systems sold here in the UK.</span>


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Here is a pic of a rebadged S&F. I can't remember what they was rebadged as.
</span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">My semi retired distributor friend Nick who's dad was a distributor before him in the 70s. Nicks dad and I believe two other guys were the 1st to bring Kirby over in to the UK.</span>


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I can remember being told they use to go to businesses like coach companies etc. By the late 1970s they was doing the in home demos as my other retired distributor friend had started working for them by then and he was selling Classic IIIs.</span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Why all my older Kirby's are 110 volt I do own a 230 volt Kirby 508.</span>


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">It is nice just having to plug it in to the wall socket and not having to get out the step down transformer.
</span>


 


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

</span>