Very Old Kirby. Model C?

[poman31]

Hello

I found a very old kirby. It looks to be all original parts. Can anyone tell me if this is a model C or 1C ? The plate does not have a model number. The bag looks to be a 1C based on the logo.

Sorry about the pics. I will take better ones when my wife returns from her trip and i can use a proper camera.

Thanks
Ed

 

[charleskirby66]

Yup!

I believe model C and 1C are the same thing, as there was no number designations until the 2C and 2R.


 


Beautiful machine!  That is one of my dream models!

 

[electrolux137]

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Yes, that's definitely a Model C, with the optional headlight. I can tell that even with the crummy photos! (Sorry...)


 


Here are photos of my identical Model C with headlight, awaiting restoration, and then one photo of a Model C without headlight that I restored a few years ago. (I had the wrong belt cover on it at that time; it was the only one I had. I have since replaced it with the correct one.)

 

[poman31]

Thanks for responding. Sorry for the really bad pics... I just figured that a model C and a 1C was two different machines. This is my first machine worthy of collecting and I am still learning. I have a G3 but thats our everyday vacuum.

I picked this up today off a guy that helped clean out an old vacuum store. Unfornationaly he scrapped everything else.

I am planning on restoring this but it needs a few parts and i dont know if the motor runs yet.

Any idea where I could get a brush roller and the rubber for the nozzle?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

poman31

We Kirby fans refer to the later model C with the headlight and the Bakelite belt cover as the 1C to distinguish it from the very early version that had the gold-plated belt cover and no headlight.

~Ben

 

[bikerray]

The brush roll is still available it is part number 1482

 

[electrolux137]

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@KirbyClassic<a name="start_32877.359815"></a>III - That's a new one on me. I've always thought there was just a Model C, which later in the run was optionally equipped with a headlight and a new Bakelite belt cap. Then came the 2C, 3C and 4C. I have never seen a serial number plate for a Model C with the designation 1C nor any such designation in any Kirby or other company literature. Obviously this is no big deal; I'm just puzzled as to how you came up with it.<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a name="startPOSTER_32877.4"></a>
</span></span>

 

[dysonman1]

I too, was always under the impression that the headlight, which I never thought was 'optional', model C was the "1C". Years ago, I got hold of a repair parts manual that listed the 'new' belt cover as well as the headlight assembly as being from the model 1C.

 

[bikerray]

This is my Kirby C
The serial number plate just has C an the serial number, there is no 1 in front of the C

 

[poman31]

bikerray: thanks for the part number and your model C looks great. I hope this one turns out just as great.

electrolux137: great looking pictures

I had a chance to power on the vacuum. Its an amazing sound, the motor fires right up and is in balance, and the bearings sound great. No squeaking or whining. Also the fan has all the fins

All the rest of the parts are in working order.

I took some better pictures.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

electrolux137

Charles,

There were two versions of the model C, but still I use "1C" to distinguish the later version from the earlier one even though they were both simply called the "Model C."

~Ben

 

[electrolux137]

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Well that's fine Ben, but you stated above "<a name="start_32877.359815"></a>We Kirby fans refer to the later model C with the headlight and the Bakelite belt cover as the 1C<a name="start_32877.359815"></a><a name="start_32877.359815"></a>..." as if that's a generally accepted model identification; however, other than your statement here to that effect I've never run across such a distinction anywhere else.



 


Somewhere in my archives I have a little approx. 3" x 5" brochure that shows the Model C without a headlight on the cover, and then inside across the 6" x 5" space all the features and accessories are listed and displayed. Across the bottom is a notation "Straight Air Floor Cleaning Nozzle and Floodlight Available as Optional Extra Equipment." On the back cover is the usual Kirby Company information with space for a dealer's stamp.


 


So it could have been that the "floodlight" was originally offered as an optional accessory and then made a part of the standard equipment set. Either way, the model number was never changed to 1C by the Kirby Company. Neither of my two Model Cs have a numeral before the serial number the way Models 2C, 3C and 4C do.


 


Not that it r-e-e-a-l-l-y matters one way or another; it's just that I'd prefer not have one person speaking for "we Kirby fans" as a whole.


 


 

 

[poman31]

dysonman1 or anyone else. Do you have the repair manual for the model 1C. Some parts appear to be the same as a 505 but some are different. I would like to consult a parts list if possible.

Also, I am looking for oringal Volcanic Rubber black wheels if any one has a pair in new for very good shape.

Thanks
Ed