Hi, I was sorting through my Kirby paper work and found this. It's a article on 10 vacuum cleaners  ranging in price that was tested by the Sunday Times in Oct 1984 with the help of various people in different professions like a house keeper,butler, professional cleaner,daily help,record executive & account executive. I'm going to have to scan it properly so people can read it when I get time.

How many vacs do you recognize from the picture?

James

Hi, The gist of the article is going on about performance,above the floor cleaning,upholstery,different needs of people, small homes/Stately homes with large carpeted areas etc. Over 100 different vacuums sold in this country at the time. Usual consumer   article info.

The list is in order of their preference. With info on each machine. The order is as follows......(I've put the 2014 equivalent price to the side just for comparison.)

Kirby Heritage  (basic unit optional extras available shampooer etc)   £520      now £1417

Hoover Sensotronic 50                                                                                £149.95 now £408

Electrolux Turbomatic                                                                                £94.95   now £258

Nilfisk GS80                                                                                                 £158.70 now £432

AEG compact electronic                                                                             £75        now £204

Hotpoint Universial Electronic                                                                  £99.90   now  £272  (Attachment set £17.90) now £48

Miele S125 stick cleaner                                                                             £82        now £223   (Turbo brush £40) now £109

Hitachi CV7405                                                                                           £55.90   now £152

Miele Automatic S2040                                                                               £160      now £436   (Electric head model S017 £44.27 now £120 Turbo head model S021 £19.55 now £53)

Hoover Turbopower Junior U1100                                                            £65.90   now £179   (Tool set £13.95 now £38)

Hope you have found this interesting. I used the http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-1633409/Historic-inflation-calculator-value-money-changed-1900.html to show what the price now would roughly be.

James