Thread Number: 39884  /  Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
What was the first available Kirby Cleaner in the UK?
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Post# 423354   4/13/2020 at 11:52 (1,444 days old) by Jake1234 (greasby)        

Just a quick question as I have really got into my Kirbys lately and I would like to know Just out of interest. What was the first Kirby model available in the UK? I know you guys in the USA have had them since the early 1900s but over here in the UK not so much. The first cleaners that are still common around today are the heritage cleaners, there are still a few about so its pretty obvious we got them over here, I think I have seen the odd tradition or two on ebay in the past, but I dont think they were very common over here, either that or they are all getting to the age where they are being taken out of service. But before that I dont know what kirbys we actually got over here. Can one of you kind folk please tell me what was the very first Kirby cleaner available in the UK? I would love to know! Thanks!

Post# 423357 , Reply# 1   4/13/2020 at 12:19 (1,444 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky)        
It was the Omega

hoover300's profile picture
But 240 volt versions of both that and the Classic III are very rare.

Post# 423363 , Reply# 2   4/13/2020 at 14:09 (1,444 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
Jake1234

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Jake,

Yes, the Classic Omega 1CB was the first Kirby to be widely available in the UK and other export markets, but some Classic 1CRs could also be had in 240 volt setup.

~Ben


Post# 423366 , Reply# 3   4/13/2020 at 14:56 (1,444 days old) by Jake1234 (greasby)        
Damn it!

What a shame! I would of loved to have owned both the dual sanitronic cleaners but I guess I never will now! I know I could still technically own them and buy a step down transformer and all the rest of it but its too impractical. Nevermind. So your saying anything that came before the classic we didnt get over here?

Thanks for the info, Jake.


Post# 423374 , Reply# 4   4/13/2020 at 15:59 (1,444 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
Jake1234

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Jake,

Yes. Only through rare occasions could such models prior to the Classic Omega be had for export use.

~Ben


Post# 423396 , Reply# 5   4/13/2020 at 19:23 (1,444 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)        

madman's profile picture
It looks like you'd be paying about £100 for a transformer. Though I wonder if you could just find a big old 1:2 transformer and make your own unit. In this application, line frequency doesn't matter much. Other than the price, the only impractical part would probably be importing a Kirby from across the pond.


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