Favorite Kirby . . .
I like a lot of various models for different reasons but my favorite by far if I have to narrow it down to few is my Dual Sanitronic 50 (D50) for it's last of the olds style handle but 1st of the new dual speed motors. Pretty decent power for its time for a good 12+ yrs to go. My favorite feature has to be the back lit "Kirby" logo on light hood cover. This has to be the 1st and last time Kirby would do anything like that as far as just for style / looks. I like it for the time it was , had the most wide range of cool accessories and attachments out. The Handi Butler Mark III is still my favorite most used attachment today. I believe it's the 1st model we'd see the new tray style shampooer unit which would be compatible in style to the Heritage. I actually did my rugs with it . Just doesn't have a on off suds flow but once you get the hang of it old school, it's cool.
I do have a 1958 late run 518 which I like for its red accents but I have to narrow it down to a few.
My 2nd close runner up would be the 1963 Sanitronic VII as it was the 1st model given to me but I would not realize how cool it was for yrs later sitting in our garage in near mint (just tarnished) shape. I like the classic round logo in belt lifter w/ a bright starburst golden background that looks so much nicer then even the D50/80s.
3rd I'd pick my 1981 Heritage 1-HD w/ all it's coolest attachments, the last we'd have the Handi Butler, yet the 1st we'd get the Turbo Group of accessories including the hair clippers & orbital sander polisher, Kirby's answer to the Flobie or maybe it came 1st, I'm not sure. I like it fo it's neutral classic colors but w/ a bright Kirby redish orange bag and large winged, wrap around nozzle & the special edition classic 13" nozzle (the version I have) to use giving it the narrow handling of the D50 w/ the old style look.
My 3rd is the G4D for its new power & performance & neutral dark colors scheme. Not too modern but w/ just a mix of classic but new tech. But I later grew to like my new 2006 G10D Sentria for its all new look but w/ a classic touch of yesterday bringing back more bright polished metal work in handle and color accents. If it only had a redish orange bag to match would be awesome. I liked the return f the Handi Butler for 2006 run even if I don't use it as much but it's cool to have. It's now air powered opposed to motor driven. This I like as it would be the 1st Kirby I buy brand new on my own then learned to rebuild them & later traded in for the 2011 revision w/ all new bag & emptor deign as well as new "F" style bag top. it is essentially and early run Sentria II in the orange but I am working on getting the Sentria II as well for its same likeness but in a nice blue & vintage looking bag color trim. I like how the blue carries to the rest of the vacuum on the foot power switch and TechDrive "Drive" foot lever.
I actually really like the color scheme of the Ultimate G Diamond Edition and its low speed function. I don't have 1 yet but I am gonna convert my old Sentria into 1 as soon as I get the switch and circuit board assembly in.
Kristopher
Restoring the beauty of the vintage Kirby, one vacuum at a time
