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Thread Number: 24438
The Kirby Company: Models Through the Years |
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| Post# 273544 3/26/2014 at 16:05 (3,676 days old) by Jaker15 (Meridian, ID) | ||
Hey there, Luxy1205! Here's some information regarding Kirby's vacuum cleaners, as well as which one makes a good daily driver. Every Kirby enthusiast has a different opinion on which model is best for frequent use, but it's entirely up to you to decide which model(s) to add to your collection!
As well as collecting vacuums, I also have a couple of old air-cooled engines from the 40's. Both of them run fairly well, but I never use them to power anything. They just sit in my yard and run. LOL I have only used a few of the numerous models Kirby produced over the years, including: -Classic III -Heritage II -G3 -514 -G5 -Sentria II Out of the ones I have used, the 514 and Classic III are tied for my favorite. The 514 is very lightweight compared to newer models, handles well, and is just a fun cleaner overall. Keep in mind that the "500" series was produced from 1945 until 1963. The last "500" model was the 562, then came the Sanitronic 7. After the S7, Kirby introduced the Dual Sanitronic 50 in 1965. The "Dual" refers to the 2-speed motor that changed from a low, carpet-cleaning speed to a higher speed when the accessory hose was installed. This was the basis for the newest models, all of which have 2-speed motors. Introduced in 1967 was the Dual Sanitronic 80, which was similar to the DS50, but had many improvements & features that the previous model lacked. In 1970, the Classic was introduced, and thus signified the end of the First Generation of cleaners, and started the Second Generation. After the Classic came the very famous Classic III, first released in 1976. This is arguably the best model Kirby ever made. It's a monster. It had a huge nozzle, streamlined chassis, and a very pretty red color scheme. And man, does it roar! I think that the design was heavily influenced by the cars of the 70's. In 1981, Kirby released the Tradition. It was a lot like the Classic III, very similar in design, but the most noticeable difference is the color. Instead of ruby red, it's sapphire blue. The biggest difference in design is that it was the first model to use disposable bags. All of the previous models used a shake-out system, referred to as the Sani-Emptor. From the Tradition on, Kirby's machines used disposable paper bags. After the Tradition, the Heritage was introduced. Shortly after came the Heritage II/Legend, then the Legend II in 1989. In 1993, the Second Generation ended and the Generation 3 was released. Then came the G4, then the G5, then G6. The G6 lasted until the turn of the century, after which the Ultimate G was released in 2002. In 2003, Kirby released the Ultimate G Diamond Edition. The most unique feature of the Diamond Edition was the Normal/Delicate speed selector switch. In 2006, Kirby unveiled the Sentria. It lasted until 2012, then the current model, the Sentria II, was released. I apologize if this is a bit too long, but I hope that it helped at least a little bit! Note to other Kirby enthusiasts: if you see that I made a slight error anywhere in the information, please correct me! :) I'd also like to hear your opinions on what you think is the best daily driver out of all the models. | ||
| Post# 273548 , Reply# 1 3/26/2014 at 16:26 (3,676 days old) by Luxy1205 (Wilmington, IL) | ||
Jaker15 | ||
| Post# 273555 , Reply# 2 3/26/2014 at 17:04 (3,676 days old) by Luxy1205 (Wilmington, IL) | ||
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Kirby Question | ||
Post# 273560 , Reply# 3 3/26/2014 at 18:45 (3,676 days old) by KirbyClassicIII  (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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Post# 273575 , Reply# 4 3/26/2014 at 19:52 (3,676 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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I have 3 Kirby(s) for sale | ||
| Post# 273579 , Reply# 5 3/26/2014 at 20:06 (3,676 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
John! | ||
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Post# 273601 , Reply# 7 3/26/2014 at 21:19 (3,676 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Yes, I know it's a TRadition! llolo
Actually, I HAVE lost it, too. (well, not everything). NO, it only touched that little red rug...... which was taken care of promtly.
I justlike to "tease" people with , "the blue one, the red one," etc....... And, NO. I don't need it to groom anything. Yes, it was surrounded bu HOOVERS.... silently looking on, kinda like The Secret Service!! | ||
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Post# 273608 , Reply# 9 3/26/2014 at 22:10 (3,676 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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Post# 273620 , Reply# 11 3/27/2014 at 00:10 (3,676 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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Clayton,
True. The shake-out bag was the other reason why I cut off at the Legend II... from the Generation 3 onward, it was disposable bags only. Also, the 13" nozzle was made optional again during Heritage 1HD sales, and was probably brought back in early 1983. As with the shake-out bag system, very few were ordered and the option disappeared when the Legend II was replaced by the Generation 3. ~Ben | ||
| Post# 273708 , Reply# 12 3/27/2014 at 17:36 (3,675 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
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why of course, The HOOVERS are watching! They're making sure you don't leave them for that KIRBY! Our.....just out on scheduled dust bunny patrol.....
Just remember John.....a collection starts with one, and that's not the ONLY Kirby you own But since you do like HOOVERS, I wool complement what appears to be 67 behind that 'blue thing', like I said,I need to brush up on my HOOVER models!
Ben, with the Heritage 84 debuting in 1984, that would mean a scarce run of original Heritage I small heads, with all other Heritage and Legend series models being completely capable to have a factory small head, this may prove useful as a quick-and-dirty way of dating a Heritage I. | ||
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Post# 273725 , Reply# 13 3/27/2014 at 18:45 (3,675 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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| Post# 273728 , Reply# 14 3/27/2014 at 19:36 (3,675 days old) by sonnyndad () | ||
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I got a 13" nozzle for my Heritage II for $2 in a flea mall in Park City, KY 2 years ago. | ||
| Post# 273729 , Reply# 15 3/27/2014 at 19:44 (3,675 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
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that's funny, That the Heritage 84 is more rare than a regular Heritage, even with the small nozzle package. Is the exact date as to the introduction off the Heritage I small nozzle unknown? From their a VERY tough ballpark figure of possible Heritage I small head-equipped cleaners could be possible.
SonnyDad-I got a brand new Heritage II with small nozzle and attachments for $40, used only four times 
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Post# 273738 , Reply# 16 3/27/2014 at 20:43 (3,675 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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Alex,
I did say the 13" nozzle option for the Heritage I was introduced by the time a new updated instruction book was issued in March 1983. Honestly, I truly do not know if it was really introduced then or in the spring of 1982 with the Comvac model 1300, the model that shares its brush roll (the Comvac 1600 shares its brush roll with the standard 16" wide HI nozzle). Given that the part no. for the 13" HI nozzle was 143382S, it was likely introduced with the HI's early 1983 updates. The instruction book for the 1983 and '84 HI sales was dated March 1983. In any case, as the 13" nozzle was not often spoken for, it is safe to say that either variation of it (with the HI or H84 label) is rare. ~Ben | ||
| Post# 273741 , Reply# 17 3/27/2014 at 21:11 (3,675 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
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Ben,
Perhaps the ComVac was the entire reason the Heritage series has the small nozzle reintroduced? If not, why would there not be a small nozzle available for the Classic series? The ComVac's predecessors, the American Lincoln and the Super-Sweep/Sani-Sweep, were they not only available as an '18 Inch floor path, not available as an '13 Inch path? Was the '13 Inch path only reintroduced on the ComVac 1300? Could this have been a way to use up parts left over, mainly small nozzles on both commercial and household models, and the Heritage 84 also being a way to use leftover parts?
Oh,I love the way we sit here and ponder Kirbaci (plural Kirby or something | ||
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Post# 273747 , Reply# 18 3/27/2014 at 21:58 (3,675 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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Alex,
The A-L Super-Sweep (Super-Vac 180 from 1982-84) was an 18" wide cleaner, but there was a 13" A-L model too (I don't know if it was called the "Sani-Sweep" or not). I honestly don't understand why Kirby didn't continue using the 13" nozzle beyond the Dual Sanitronic 80. Anything about exhausting existing parts in stocks might be possible; however, there were a few customers who did not like the standard 16" wide nozzle and Kirby gave those customers the 13" wide option during the Heritage I run, but it was discontinued after the Legend II was replaced by the Generation 3. The 13" nozzle is also desirable to that class of people since it is supposed to provide a more even flow of suction. ~Ben | ||
| Post# 273750 , Reply# 19 3/27/2014 at 22:03 (3,675 days old) by Paul (USA) | ||
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Check this link out: www.pinterest.com/thekirbycompany... | ||
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Post# 273773 , Reply# 20 3/28/2014 at 03:35 (3,675 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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John and Jeff,
I want to make the following correction regarding the availability of models 888, 980 and 990 (this trio of vacs bearing the removable nozzle): they were all sold through early 1987. Therefore, the years of sale for all three are 1971-1987. Why? Because, I know Kenny Heon (kenmore81) has an 888 dated October 1985. ~Ben | ||
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Post# 273774 , Reply# 21 3/28/2014 at 03:39 (3,675 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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| Post# 273782 , Reply# 22 3/28/2014 at 06:31 (3,675 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
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Ben, If the small nozzle was contained during the saga Sani-Sweep days,I wonder why Kirby did not have a small nozzle available for the Classic series, instead choosing to spontaneously reinstate the small head during the Heritage run? Perhaps too soon after the introduction of the 2nd generation of upright? | ||
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Post# 273811 , Reply# 23 3/28/2014 at 13:04 (3,675 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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| Post# 273851 , Reply# 24 3/28/2014 at 17:14 (3,674 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
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wish we may! | ||
| Post# 274946 , Reply# 26 4/6/2014 at 07:23 (3,666 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa) | ||
 I just got a Beautiful Kirby tradition yesterday, My Wife found it for me Needs a nice clean up It came with its original hose but it came with the complete set of attachments for my Legend II
I also got a Lovely 508 that I swapped a ultimate diamond edition for. It needs a good clean up watch out for a thread on them shortly 
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| Post# 274947 , Reply# 27 4/6/2014 at 07:24 (3,666 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa) | ||
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Post# 274989 , Reply# 28 4/6/2014 at 13:27 (3,666 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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| Post# 274993 , Reply# 29 4/6/2014 at 14:14 (3,666 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa) | ||
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Can some one possible tell me when Kirby started officiolly selling in South Africa? This is for some reason a closly guarded secret by Kirby But I have heard it was in the later seventies. I have seen a few 508's and I also own a 512 but it seems or I was old that Kirby only started here in the late 70's. I have tried to buy every 508 I see that turns up for sale , have missed 2 and there was a 505 a few years back in lovely condition but the owner wanted $ 1000.00 (Insane)
If Kirby only started here in the late seventies I also wonder who was distributing Kirby's here before that unofficioally.
Check out the Rating plate on my latest 508, see how they have stamped 230v over the 110 v Its also been stamped on the casing , My 512 is the same if slightly better done. 
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| Post# 404044 , Reply# 30 1/13/2019 at 22:56 (1,922 days old) by ABCVacPlacentia (California) | ||
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Seeking 13" Nozzle for Legend II Hi Dan, Do you still have that Legend II with the 13" nozzle? I'm looking for that nozzle right now, if not the entire machine. If anyone has a suggestion, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks! | ||
| Post# 404066 , Reply# 31 1/14/2019 at 12:20 (1,922 days old) by bnsd60m9200 (Akron OH) | ||
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| Post# 404067 , Reply# 32 1/14/2019 at 12:49 (1,922 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah) | ||
Hey 
If you click on username and a URL to profile doesn't pop up. They are no longer active. If it is email would be visible. I emailed someone very similar he got email about 6 months later. I know I post passed but member was active in 60 days.
It's like a message in a bottle. You have to mail a bottle. FYI Les | ||
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