Located a Kirby Model R, Wireless Vacuette, and many other antique Kirbys

Hi fellow vacuum fans,

Just wanted to share a story with you all.

Last Christmas, I visited a Kirby store and the owner had a pretty incredible collection of vintage Kirbys, all restored. Some of the highlights of his collection included a Kirby Model R--yes, the only Kirby model ever sold in retail stores and also the only one to feature a switch on the handle--and a Wireless Vacuette, which he let me use. There were many other antique Kirbys, but I can't recognize all of them in the pictures. Also present was a very antique Eureka (not pictured).

The owner of the store said he held a contest that whoever could bring in the oldest Kirby could swap for a brand new one, and all of this was what he got. A pretty impressive turnout, I'd say.

Since he has quite a history with the company, I asked him about the prototype Generation 3s--the ones with the Heritage II coloring. The gentleman said he remembered seeing them when they were fresh and that he had the opportunity to use one. The one he used is still with Kirby but is somewhere in California.

I had a great time talking vacuums with him and wound up buying a couple of parts for my own G5.

Enjoy the pictures!

View Full Size


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Post# 374266 6/21/2017 at 20:14 (2,499 days old) by broomvac (N/A)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Hi fellow vacuum fans, Just wanted to share a story with you all. Last Christmas, I visited a Kirby store and the owner had a pretty incredible collection of vintage Kirbys, all restored. Some of the highlights of his collection included a Kirby Model R--yes, the only Kirby model ever sold in retail stores and also the only one to feature a switch on the handle--and a Wireless Vacuette, which he let me use. There were many other antique Kirbys, but I can't recognize all of them in the pictures. Also present was a very antique Eureka (not pictured). The owner of the store said he held a contest that whoever could bring in the oldest Kirby could swap for a brand new one, and all of this was what he got. A pretty impressive turnout, I'd say. Since he has quite a history with the company, I asked him about the prototype Generation 3s--the ones with the Heritage II coloring. The gentleman said he remembered seeing them when they were fresh and that he had the opportunity to use one. The one he used is still with Kirby but is somewhere in California. I had a great time talking vacuums with him and wound up buying a couple of parts for my own G5. Enjoy the pictures! View Full Size

Post# 374267 , Reply# 1 6/21/2017 at 20:14 (2,499 days old) by broomvac (N/A)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Kirby Model R* View Full Size

Post# 374268 , Reply# 2 6/21/2017 at 20:15 (2,499 days old) by broomvac (N/A)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *The famous switch on the handle...* ...to prove it's an authentic Model R. View Full Size

Post# 374269 , Reply# 3 6/21/2017 at 20:16 (2,499 days old) by broomvac (N/A)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Finally,* some of his more modern Kirby offerings:

Post# 374270 , Reply# 4 6/21/2017 at 20:27 (2,499 days old) by broomvac (N/A)
Checkrate/Likes *For those who are wondering* I'm almost certain his vintage cleaners are not for sale. They are simply for display.

Post# 374275 , Reply# 5 6/22/2017 at 01:50 (2,499 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)
Checkrate/Likes ~ ~ Are those black bags all original or did he make (or have made) new replacements? I've seen a few Model Rs over the years and never seen a bag like the one on this guy's machine.

Post# 374307 , Reply# 6 6/22/2017 at 20:57 (2,498 days old) by broomvac (N/A)
Checkrate/Likes *electrolux137* Sorry, but I have no idea about the black bags. The earliest Kirbys are not my strong suit.