Heritage II - The Kirby with the Most Changes to Date?

In my opinion, the Heritage II 2HD has seen considerably more changes than any Kirby model before or since, especially as this was basically the last pre-1990 model before the Generation 3 replaced it.

Major updates:
Original nozzle casting design was carried over from the prior Heritage 1HD when production began in September 1984. By about January 1985 the nozzle casting was changed on the sides, resulting in a shorter bumper.

March 1985: Along with the change to the nozzle casting, the metal hose swivel tube, extension wands and surface nozzle swivel tube lose the holes (they were originally there to prevent children's eyes and ears from being injured from the tremendous suction)

March 1986: new design brush roll with magnet on the right end (left when viewed from the motor switch side), also coincides with new BPI sensor light on same end of nozzle. A VHS video is made available for the first time.

September 1987: model is repackaged as the Heritage II Legend. However, the major changes coinciding to the repackaging would follow suit within the next four months, such as an improved permanent bag (less chances of being torn), brush roll (50% increase in lifespan) and attachment hose (no metal at all).

January 1989: model is again repackaged, this time as the Legend II and given a new burgundy trim color (although the Reno Group nozzle housing used for both the Miracle Head and Rug Renovator is still black). One noted change is the brush roll, again.

~Ben

This post was last edited 05/06/2013 at 18:01


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Post# 231506 5/6/2013 at 17:27 (4,001 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes In my opinion, the Heritage II 2HD has seen considerably more changes than any Kirby model before or since, especially as this was basically the last pre-1990 model before the Generation 3 replaced it. Major updates: Original nozzle casting design was carried over from the prior Heritage 1HD when production began in September 1984. By about January 1985 the nozzle casting was changed on the sides, resulting in a shorter bumper. March 1985: Along with the change to the nozzle casting, the metal hose swivel tube, extension wands and surface nozzle swivel tube lose the holes (they were originally there to prevent children's eyes and ears from being injured from the tremendous suction) March 1986: new design brush roll with magnet on the right end (left when viewed from the motor switch side), also coincides with new BPI sensor light on same end of nozzle. A VHS video is made available for the first time. September 1987: model is repackaged as the Heritage II Legend. However, the major changes coinciding to the repackaging would follow suit within the next four months, such as an improved permanent bag (less chances of being torn), brush roll (50% increase in lifespan) and attachment hose (no metal at all). January 1989: model is again repackaged, this time as the Legend II and given a new burgundy trim color (although the Reno Group nozzle housing used for both the Miracle Head and Rug Renovator is still black). One noted change is the brush roll, again. ~Ben This post was last edited 05/06/2013 at 18:01

Post# 231513 , Reply# 1 5/6/2013 at 18:11 (4,001 days old) by adambomb (Undisclosed )
Checkrate/Likes There were also a few other changes: The 1984 Heritage II motor housing changed slightly with the stream lining around the rear wheel axel. It had a ridge in the housing and it was later smoothed out. I have seen Heritage 84s with this motor housing. The cord wrap hooks were smooth and shiny and weren't textured until 1985. The attachments were originally packaged in the cardboard box and it had the white and black grid design just like Heritage II packaging. The Turbo Brush was carried over from the Heritage and it went from gray to black. This was replaced by the new chrome painted plastic Zippbrush was released in early 1985, as well as the new style gray vinyl attachment caddy. The metal end on the hose had the bleeder holes in it, but in 1985 were dropped and it became a solid piece of metal. The attachments were shiny and smooth and didn't get there textured look until 1985. You'll notice that the Kirby bag changed three times before it became the Legend. The first edition had a metal zipper and a white label was on the top left corner on the rear of the bag that read Genuine Kirby Parts. The dropped this in 1985 and it went down to the bottom of the back on the same side and was made smaller and simply said Kirby on it. It remained there until the Legend II finished it's run. In 1985 or 1986, a new style gray plastic zipper was introduced with a silver tab. This tab was painted gray to match the bag better in mid to late 1987, shortly before the Heritage II became the Heritage II Legend. In 1987, the warning label changed on the rear scuff plate. It changed again when the Heritage II became the Heritage II Legend. They also added a black warning label on the rear exhaust port where the bag attaches. The boxes changed from a black grid on white to a gray grid on white. This carried over to the Legend and Legend II. The Legend was slightly rewired as well. The pilot light was now rewired directly to the on/off switch to help prevent pilot light delay when the motor was turned on. The nozzle for the Rug Renovator for the Legend II eventually changed from black to burgundy. Also you may notice that the cord hooks on the Legend II went from textured to smooth taking on the Generation style cord hooks. The attachments eventually changed to the Generation 3 style as well as the Kirby Caddy.

Post# 231541 , Reply# 2 5/6/2013 at 20:36 (4,001 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes Adam, All those changes, mean more part numbers (more or less)... one to cover each variation of a hose or other parts. The Heritage II really did see a lot of changes in its entire run. ~Ben