When Vac Dealers Had Mini Museums

[kirbyclassiciii]

Do any of you here remember when your local vacuum dealer once had a "mini museum" of vacuum cleaners?

This picture that my parents took of me at C. & E. Kirby Sales Company back in August 1990, its owners had a bevy of old Kirby vacuums ranging from the first Kirby to be named, the model C, introduced in 1934, to the then-current Generation 3. The owners of this dealership originally ran this branch on 10388 Southeast 82nd Avenue in (unincorporated) Clackamas County from 1972 to 1994, then moving it to 9151 Southeast Powell Boulevard and more recently to 19080 Southwest Shaw Street in Aloha (just west of Beaverton) before calling it quits in 2012.

~Ben

 

[cb123]

I sure wished that they let you have that model C, it would've gone to a good home!

 

[tolivac]

The "mini museums" I see are the trade in piles at the vac shops and dealers-and you could BUY the display if you want!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I got my first 1070

that way. They were fun to look at.

 

[caligula]

These museums were what started the VCCC.

It's because of these shops that my interest was fueled, they became my first source of information. I used to pester the salesmen with endless questions. So it seems, did other kids like John Lucia, and in many cases we drove our families crazy with the hunger for vacuum cleaners.

In 1982, with 30 years of usless data in my head, I decided to put it to good use when I met John, and we toured Hoover. Result the VCCC!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

And, WE are better for that.

On behalf of all of The VCCC. Thanks, Alex and John.
John

 

[caligula]

Thanks Gottahaveahoove.

Because of the VCCC I've made some awesome friends. By the way, my display wall is almost ready.

Alex Taber.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Perhaps you can make a mini meet

If anyone is passing near you.  pick up and deliver, lolo.  I wouldbn't have the time to go there and back,  return, etc, during a meet.  We'll see if anyone is going to be near you.


John.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I've made

extraordinary friends too.  I've also made a few enemies,  but............  you'll have this.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

cb123

Calem,

They did give me a rebuilt 505 with its speed switch removed so that when the machine was on only the headlight lit up. I really kick myself for having taken that apart!

~Ben