Thread Number: 18686
Geuss what vintage vacuu i just got?
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Post# 205576   11/1/2012 at 16:47 (4,165 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        

super-sweeper's profile picture
I'll give you 3 hints ;)

1:It's red.

2:It's metal.

3:It's an amazing machine!

What could it be?
Put your guess in the repies please!


Post# 205579 , Reply# 1   11/1/2012 at 17:11 (4,165 days old) by kloveland (Tulsa)        

kloveland's profile picture
Is it a Hoover Guardsman?

Post# 205582 , Reply# 2   11/1/2012 at 17:47 (4,165 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        

super-sweeper's profile picture
I wish it was,Good geuss though!

Post# 205584 , Reply# 3   11/1/2012 at 18:14 (4,165 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

what brand???

Post# 205586 , Reply# 4   11/1/2012 at 18:17 (4,165 days old) by collectorclue20 ()        
Royal?

Is it red royal canister?

Post# 205587 , Reply# 5   11/1/2012 at 18:20 (4,165 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

yes maybe it is a royal

Post# 205590 , Reply# 6   11/1/2012 at 19:08 (4,165 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        

super-sweeper's profile picture
I'll give it away if i tell you the brand,But i will tell you it's from the 70's ;)

-Alex.


Post# 205591 , Reply# 7   11/1/2012 at 19:32 (4,165 days old) by 2011hoover700 (owosso michigan)        

2011hoover700's profile picture

Is it a kirby classic 3?


Post# 205592 , Reply# 8   11/1/2012 at 19:47 (4,165 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)        

TriStar CXL 2-speed

Post# 205594 , Reply# 9   11/1/2012 at 20:06 (4,165 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
2011Hoover700!

super-sweeper's profile picture
You're almost spot on!

It's a Kirby Clasic Omega,Beautiful machine!


Post# 205597 , Reply# 10   11/1/2012 at 20:18 (4,165 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

i thought it might be a kirby

Post# 205601 , Reply# 11   11/1/2012 at 21:15 (4,165 days old) by BrianKirbyClass (Eudora Kansas)        

briankirbyclass's profile picture
A RED Kirby Classic Omega? Last i knew a Classic Omega is dark "Rosewood" brown.

So in other words you have a rebuilt, rebadged, and/or rebranded "Franken Kirby!"


Post# 205655 , Reply# 12   11/2/2012 at 17:07 (4,164 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        

super-sweeper's profile picture
Very interesting Brian!Didn't think it was a bojack!
I'll have to check and make sure it is a omega,I wonder
Why someone redid it in red.

Funny thing is, My Grandmother had a classic III with an omega bag on it,And
It was sadly trown away a few years back,
And now I have a omega done in classic III red!

-Alex.


Post# 205665 , Reply# 13   11/2/2012 at 19:28 (4,164 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
Yep!

super-sweeper's profile picture
Just double checked,This is a model Classic Omega 1-CB!

Funny how it's done out COMPLETELY in classic,Even made some sort of Omega-Nozzle cover sticker....

-Alex.


Post# 206190 , Reply# 14   11/8/2012 at 13:54 (4,158 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)        
Not a Classic Omega!

caligula's profile picture
That is a Classic 111! It was introduced in June of 1976, and it replaced the Omega, which was chocolate brown.

When I started selling Kirby's it was the Omega, and the first Kirby I bought was the Classic 111.

That is a fantastic picture, by the way, that was the first time Kirby went with the plaid bag.

Interestingly, Kirby intorduced red in 1953, and was the primary color over the years. As far as I know there was only one green model, the D-80, and one blue model, the Tradition. Prior to that all machines were black or grey. I have a number of Kirby models starting tith the prototype for the Vacuette (Vital Rand) two Vacuettes, I-C, (1935) 2-C, (1938?)512,(1952)515, 517, Sanatronic, D-50, D-80, Classic, Classic Omega, Classic 111, Tradition, Heritage, and G-4. All are in perfect condition, however, other than the Vital Rand and Vacuette, all are in storage until I can locate a place to display them.

If you have any questions about Mr Jim Kirby, ask me, I've been researching him for years.

Akex Taber.


Post# 206304 , Reply# 15   11/9/2012 at 16:59 (4,157 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
Caligula,

super-sweeper's profile picture
Pay close attention to the belt lifter,The classic III had a "Visa-Belt",A little plastic window where you could see the belt,The above nozzle does not have a visa-belt,But instaead a window that would tell you if the belt is on or off.

That,And the builder's plate says it's a Classic Omega :D
Compare my above Kirby to this photo of a Classic Omega:


Post# 206305 , Reply# 16   11/9/2012 at 17:01 (4,157 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
Now,

super-sweeper's profile picture
Compare the Above Classic Omega With the below Classic III.

-Alex.


Post# 206306 , Reply# 17   11/9/2012 at 17:02 (4,157 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
Opps,

super-sweeper's profile picture
That picture is a little to hard to see,Here's a better one.

-Alex.


Post# 206310 , Reply# 18   11/9/2012 at 17:23 (4,157 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)        
Must have overlooked that.

caligula's profile picture
However, it is a dead ringer for the Classic 111! The bag, the cord, the trim are ALL Classic 111.

Not only did I demo this model for the entire time it was sold, I also owned one! So I know about the window, which was introduced with the Classic 111. I don't recall the Tradition having that feature, but I do remember the locking headlight thingy! It was a disaster and drove my trainees crazy.

Thanks for the update. Fact is it's a fantastic restoration.

Alex Taber


Post# 206312 , Reply# 19   11/9/2012 at 17:25 (4,157 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        

super-sweeper's profile picture
I hope i ddin't insult you,My belief is it was rebuilt wiht left-over classic III Parts,I have no idea how they got a Classic III colored logo to fit an Omega belt lifter tough.

-Alex.


Post# 206313 , Reply# 20   11/9/2012 at 17:49 (4,157 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)        
It IS a Classic 111!

caligula's profile picture
The post I was talking about is 205594! A Claccic 111 in a doorway, and it DOES have the Vis-a-belt.

If that is NOT the Kirby you were talking about then which one?

I know the models Classic Omega, Classic 111, Tradition, and others. I was the traiining manager for several branch offices, including Oak Park, Illinois, where I worked for 8 years.

The Classic 111 was also the first Kirby I bought new, since then I've bought several models.

As for my collection, however, I like the older models like the 1-C, which was the FIRST vacuum cleaner with Kirby's name on it.

The 1-C was introduced in 1935, and was the only one to my knowledge that had the scroll headlight. The 2-C became the design used until the introduction of the Classic.

By the way, James B. (Blain) Kirby was born on September 28, 1884, and died on June 7, 1971, at the age of 87. He was of Scottish background as am I.


I have written a lot on Jim Kirby.

Alex Taber.


Post# 206328 , Reply# 21   11/9/2012 at 22:02 (4,157 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
Here's what i'm looking at....

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The Cleaner is done in Classic III Red,Yet the builder's plate states this is a model Classic Omega 1-CB...



Post# 206329 , Reply# 22   11/9/2012 at 22:06 (4,157 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
On another note,

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Are the Classic III And/Or Omega 1-CB Bulbs different from the older sanitronic series?Here's a picture of the bulb i took out of the vacuum (The bulb on the left)And a Sanitronic Bulb to the left,The thing is,The bulb seems un-broken,Yet does not function.

Post# 206330 , Reply# 23   11/9/2012 at 23:03 (4,157 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)        
Interesting!

caligula's profile picture
This really has me stumped!

I can't tell if the Omega bottom plate is a fake, or if somebody interchanged the parts. Unlike the early Kirby models (pre 512) the Sani-Em-Tor, handle, and so on ARE interchangeable. The rug nozzle looks like an Omega, but the wheels, bag, trim and so on ARE Classic 111!

This is the best frankenKirby I've ever seen.

Let me know what you find out.

Alex Taber.


Post# 206331 , Reply# 24   11/9/2012 at 23:26 (4,157 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)        
Light bulbs

caligula's profile picture
I think the one with the two tabs is the Classic 111, but not completely sure.

I've seen a lot of FrankenKirby's, and Frankenlux's, but this one really takes the cake.

The bottom nameplate looks like it's been replaced as it is smaller. Another puzzle is the writing, that is not original. The wheels, etc. look very beat up, wheras the nameplate looks rather new.

As I said, I really want to find out about this one.

Please keep me posted.

Alex T.


Post# 206332 , Reply# 25   11/9/2012 at 23:45 (4,157 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)        
I took a long look at the main picture,

caligula's profile picture
Upon careful study I see that the bag is off center! The bag holder (the part with the chain) should be level with the cord hooks, it's NOT! This tells me that the bag was replaced, and not mounted on the Sani-Em-Tor correctly. The red trim on the belt lifter also is not a match, and you are right, there should be a window in the nozzle!

My guess is that somebody DID replace ALL the red. So it IS an OMEGA!!

The question is how well it works. All the other questions are not important. Fact is you have a great looking Kirby.

If I missed anything else feel fee to let me know.

Alex T.


Post# 206348 , Reply# 26   11/10/2012 at 06:31 (4,157 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        

super-sweeper's profile picture
I need to work on (Or proabaly) replace the brush roll on this machine,It's a little sticky and liked to burn belts.I adjusted it last night,So we'll see how that works.

-Alex.


Post# 206349 , Reply# 27   11/10/2012 at 06:38 (4,157 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        

super-sweeper's profile picture
I looked again,You're right.A classic III does not have a bag held by a chain, As seen in reply 17. Now, 2 things also have me stumped!

-If the Classic III did not have a bag held on by a chain,Then where did they find that one?My only guess could be it came off a older 500 Series Kirby...

-The belt lifter,Since the Omega's Nozzle would've been brown,Where did they find a RED Kirby sticker that fits perfectly in place of the Omega sticker?


Post# 206350 , Reply# 28   11/10/2012 at 06:40 (4,157 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
You know,I actauly just thought a name/model # for this!

super-sweeper's profile picture
Kirby Classic omega III-CB :)

The Red Omega...


Post# 206364 , Reply# 29   11/10/2012 at 13:46 (4,156 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)        

collector2's profile picture
Hey Guys:

Can I throw in another possibility. Kirby did rebuilds even if the machine was in a fire and pretty much down to next to nothing. As it seems that every plastic piece has been replaced could this be the case? If the machine was in a fire where there was smoke and heat damamge it would have necessitated changing everything that was plastic or cloth. They would have used the colour of the machine out at that time yet it would have still been an omega model. This looks to me like a factory rebuild.

Doug


Post# 206407 , Reply# 30   11/10/2012 at 22:40 (4,156 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)        
Good point Doug.

caligula's profile picture
I've been away from Kirby so long I completely overlooked that.

As for the bag holder and chain thingy, that IS correct. However, the positionion of the bag on the Sani-Em-Tor is off center big time.

Alex T.


Post# 206796 , Reply# 31   11/15/2012 at 21:36 (4,151 days old) by BrianKirbyClass (Eudora Kansas)        

briankirbyclass's profile picture
I hate to say i told you so, but,, That is a Classic OMEGA, rebuilt to look like a Classic 3.
If you look at an original from the factory Classic Omega, and Classic 3,and put them side by side, NEITHER of them had a bag "Chain",,,only the first Classic 1CR and all Kirby's before it had a bag chain.

An original Rosewood Brown Classic Omega had a long Rosewood Brown plastic sheath/collar that went all the way up to the bag hook loop.

And, and original Red Classic 3 had a simular but shorter sheath/collar on its bag hook.

Neither of them originally ever had a chain.


Post# 206797 , Reply# 32   11/15/2012 at 21:43 (4,151 days old) by BrianKirbyClass (Eudora Kansas)        

briankirbyclass's profile picture
Alex, you are right,,,they(whoever redid this Omega/machine in red) got that bag top/chain off of a red 500 series bag. It is most definatly NOT from an Classic 3.

Any and All Original Red Classic 3 bag tops say KIRBY CLASSIC 111 on them, and have the slanted sheath/collar covering up to the bag hook/loop.


Post# 206803 , Reply# 33   11/16/2012 at 00:17 (4,151 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        

kirbyvertibles's profile picture
look at the time dial between the rear wheels it has a number 3 so that tells me this machine was put together 1973 so it is an omega. I would say a vac shop probably replaced all the trim??

Post# 206822 , Reply# 34   11/16/2012 at 05:32 (4,151 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada)        
Vac Shop Rebuild

kirbylux77's profile picture
This HAS to be a vac shop rebuild. It's obvious the Kirby has been rebuilt with the mish-mash of parts, but if this was rebuilt by Kirby by the factory in Cleveland, it would have had it's maker's plate with one stating it was Kirby factory rebuilt.

But what I am REALLY curious about....where did that red label on the belt lifter come from?? That was certainly not on the Classic III! So, was this something Kirby made specifically for rebuilds that were done in red??

Rob


Post# 206863 , Reply# 35   11/16/2012 at 16:12 (4,150 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()        
Kirby Classic Omega

The Kirby in question is a Kirby Classic Omega. For a long time Kirby had replacement parts available in a variety of colors available to Authorized Kirby Service Center. Many service centers that sold rebuilt machines on their sales floor would just trim the Kirby out in whatever color they felt like when they would do an in house rebuilt to resell the Kirby. Additionally for someone sending their Kirby to the Factory for a Factory rebuild had the option to have their Kirby rebuilt to all original or for an additional fee could have the color changed, usually to whatever the color of the newest model was, but this wasn't always the case. In my work in repairing and rebuilding Kirbys I have seen all sorts of models in a variety of colors. I've seen Classic I's in the Blue of Traditions, Omegas in Blue or the DS80 Avacado Green, etc. It's really no big thing even in the Kirby Co's eyes as long as all the parts are genuie Kirby replacement parts. On the Kirby Omega in question it appears to all be genuine Kirby parts except for the bag which looks like a "Star for Parts" after market replacement bag. I know in particular the belt lifter label was questioned but Kirby did make those. Sadly Kirby's colored replacement parts inventory has dwindled and now many replacement parts are just made in black. Hope this information helps.

Post# 206864 , Reply# 36   11/16/2012 at 16:24 (4,150 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        

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The writing on the bottom is from a service/repair in 1992,They replaced the Carbons,The fan,the Bearings and the Belt.Dated June 15th 1992.

-Alex.


Post# 206880 , Reply# 37   11/16/2012 at 22:19 (4,150 days old) by BrianKirbyClass (Eudora Kansas)        

briankirbyclass's profile picture
I remember a neighbor of ours bought a brand new in box Classic 3 in 1977,,,the lady would bring it out to vacuum their car with occasionally. I remember wishing and wanting one SO BADLY,, i dreamed of owning one someday!

Sure enough, as soon as i was old enough to earn my own money,in the early 1980s, i traded our old Hoover DAM Powerdrive (that was more PROBLEMATIC than it was Dial-a-Matic!) for a Rainbow D2 with PN.
A year or so later i grew tired of fiddling with the water pan of the Rainbow,(altho i did have fun using it) and traded that D2 for a local shop rebuilt Kirby Classic 3, with all attachments, even the Saber Saw and Handi Butler. Whoever rebuit it had polished it up to a mirror like shine. Wasnt a scratch or ding on it. And was rebuilt with all original parts.

Finally owned my own Red Classic 3!!,,and had it for several years, selling it to a friend that i receintly found on Facebook. I asked her whatever happened to that Kirby,,She said it lasted for another 20 years at least, until she sold it at a garage sale when they moved.
Ha, I bet its still strong going somewhere!


Post# 254081 , Reply# 38   10/26/2013 at 22:01 (3,806 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
The Case of the Red-Omega,

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Solved.

 

I stumbled upon my old thread, and now know the answer in 3 words,

A Trim-Kit.

 

Kirby sold trim-kits to vac shops as a way to make an older model look new, Explaining the all-red trim.

However, There is still one question left un-answered, 

Why?

Why would somebody take in an already brand-new Kirby to have new trim installed? 

What would cause them to need new trim?

 

Perhaps we'll revert back to the "Fire" theory, but what else could have caused someone to do such a thing?



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