What Would You Have Bought?

[bagintheback]

If you were in the market for a brand new vacuum cleaner in the year you were born, which vacuum would you have bought? I was born in 1997, not a particularly great period for vacuums, but I think I would have bought a Kirby G4. In the likely situation I didn't have the finances to make such an expense purchase, a Panasonic or Sharp would probably be my next choice. 

 

[sonnyndad]

I would have bought a glistening, brand new Kirby G5. The Deep Purple against the freshly polished aluminum can't be beat. Nothin' like a Pretty Shiny Kirby!

 

[kirbykid]

I prefer my g4 to the g5. But i was born in 1999 so it would probably be hard to get a new g4

 

[sonnyndad]

I guess I should keep my opinion on the G4 to myself...

 

[ncovert]

Nathaniel, you were born in April 1997, the G4 was discontinued in February 1997, so the current new model would have been the G5. I was born in 2000, so the model of my birth year would have been the Gsix, which is what I would have gotten if I could do that purchase...

 

[blackheart]

Easy

I'd make the same choice my parents did

 

[s31463221]

Birth year vacuum...

Mine too would be the same choice my parents made, as they bought a brand new vacuum in 1980, the same year I was born:

 

[kirbyrama]

1960 was the year I was born ----

so I would have purchased either a 519 or 560 model Kirby (complete set) with a credit card , of course. Those models were just so beautiful when they were new.

 

[compactelectra]

Well

I am obviously older than you guys are. But here are my choices for 1952. First and foremost the end of the run of the Electrolux Model XXX. To my way of thinking one of the most classic vacuums of all time. At the time probably one of the best machines on the market. They sure sold enough of them. Everyone in the neighborhood had one.

 

[compactelectra]

Next Up

Back in 1952, if you wanted the best for both carpet cleaning and above-the-floor cleaning, you would have an upright and a canister/tank. I would have settled for the Lux XXX and the Hoover of the time - a 29. Designed by Henry Dreyfuss. Beautiful and functional. It had a cloth shake-out bag, but still . . .

 

[compactelectra]

I May Have Gone

With the Hoover Model 53 for the tank to keep it in the family. I am lucky enough to have all three of these machines in pristine condition with all the attachments.

 

[compactelectra]

Here Are Some

Ads for the Hoovers. The 29.

 

[compactelectra]

And The Hoover Tank

This is the Model 51, but essentially the same as the 53. The amazing thing is I would feel totally comfortable cleaning my house with these machines today.

 

[compactelectra]

And Last

But Not Least - The Lux XXX. Great outfit for vacuuming.

 

[tolivac]

For me the Kirby 511.

 

[jade_angel]

For me, born in 1980, I think my choice would have been the Filter Queen D31X, or possibly a Compact C8, either one with the power nozzle.

Uprights of that era I'm less familiar with, but I've always really liked the various Royals - I just don't really know which model was current in 1980.

If I couldn't afford any of those, then I'd likely look to Eureka for a canister, probably a model 1756 if memory serves. Their steel-bodied power nozzle canisters work well and last. I have fond memories of those; all my mother's friends had them (except for my immediate neighbors, who had Electrolux and Silver King). For an upright, it'd be Hoover. If memory serves, the Dial-A-Matic was still standard in 1980, and it's a fine machine.

 

[dysonman1]

I was born in 1962. Eighteen days before I was born, my mother bought a Rainbow model D. I still have it. Had it been up to ME in the year I was born, I would have gone for the Rainbow or an Electrolux model G.

 

[Deleted member 1124]

1978

Either a brand new DEBUT of the Hoover Concept One.. or since id probably be on a budget a convertible..

 

[madabouthoovers]

As I could never afford a brand new Kirby, and in the UK in 1972, it would have been the Classic that was current (unless I'm mistaken), my choice would have to be the Hoover 652 model range. I know that my 652A in the pic below was from the early 60's, but the shape and style was the same in 1972, with the Ranger not coming along until 1974. The 652 was a robust and effective cleaner, and very popular in its day.

 

[ncovert]

Steve, the first Kirby exported to the UK was the Classic Omega in 1973, so there wouldn't have been the original Classic over there

 

[madabouthoovers]

Thanks for that info - That would explain why I've never seen anything older than a Classic omega on Ebay UK, and the omega and classic 3 are both rare as hens teeth here as well. I think the Kirby only took off here with the introduction of paper filter bags on the Tradition. When I worked for Kirby in 1994, during the training sessions, it was never mentioned when Kirby first started selling vacs here in the UK. So they have been going now in the UK for 40 years then. Nice to know.

 

[ncovert]

You're right. The Classic Omega and Classic III were not big sellers because while everybody else had disposable bags, Kirby was still chugging away with shakeout bags.


I also know the Legend II was made until July 1992 over there, and the ones made after August 1990 had the G series attachments and caddy in the LGII color.

 

[madabouthoovers]

Yes they did, and it looked strange to see the L2 in its red colours, along with the new grey toolkit of the G3. The G3 was indeed delayed in the UK, which is why there are so many Legend 2 models still about today as they had a long sales run.


The Tradition is still often seen for sale here on Ebay, but the older models hardly ever come up - especially the Classic Omega, which is a pity, as the Omega was a beautiful looking machine, and would have been competing with the Hoover Senior and Electrolux 500 at the time. In 1973, the E500 was a cutting edge technology vacuum, and essentially it was the first mass produced clean fan plastivac; it ushered in the plastivac era, and was the model that eventually changed the vacuum market away from the direct air system of the last 70 odd years - and many people would have preferred one of these over a cloth bag model as it was so new and different and especially over one which cost a small fortune to buy such as the Classic Omega, and especially since at that time Kirby was unheard of in the UK and not sold in shops.

 

[suckolux]

Hmm, 1956, not so different from the 59 Compact we did have, brought up on canisters, so maybe one of those, or a Lux, but liked the Kirbys of that age too

 

[tylerawells]

Being born in 1993 I would've gotten the current Kirby (the G3 I believe). If I couldn't afford that, then a nice Panasonic or whatever Hoover's best was at the time would suffice.

 

[ncovert]

Tyler, the Generation 3 would have been the current model at the time you were born. If you were born in July or later, the G4 would have been the current model.

 

[vacuumman206]

1992

Hoover Innovation and Concept 2. Correct me if I'm wrong on the innovation being around in 92'.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Me... I'd buy either a Kirby Tradition or Heritage.

The Tradition I'd go after is one with the locking headlight cap and metal fan.

~Ben

 

[electrolux137]

1956. I would have gotten a Model E (not automatic) for canister and Kirby 516 for upright. Although that's just because those are my two favorite vintage brands! There really were many good cleaners being made that year.