Thread Number: 41564  /  Tag: 80s/90s Vacuum Cleaners
Golden Trophy 1981 Kirby Vacuum
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Post# 440312   3/25/2021 at 19:46 (1,098 days old) by dryredsea (Colorado)        

I have a mint condition golden trophy 1981 kirby, does anyone know how much one is worth or anything else about this model?

Post# 440315 , Reply# 1   3/25/2021 at 20:57 (1,098 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
dryredsea

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
If that is the Golden Trophy Council Winner Edition, these were sales awards given to whichever Kirby dealer was the best-performing in every state.

The usual exposed parts were anodized-gold-plated instead of the conventional polished aluminum, and the blue trim pieces were now the same rosewood/brown as the Classic Omega 1CB.

I think that because you say yours is in good shape, I'll bet this'll fetch at least $1,000 on eBay. For now, I think you'll want to keep it for a while given how rare it is.

~Ben


Post# 440320 , Reply# 2   3/25/2021 at 23:01 (1,098 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Nope

lesinutah's profile picture
Hey
It's not close to $1000 there not that rare.
$100-$400 is the value range.
You see them for sale I've seen the one you likely have for sale twice in a year not once over $500.


Post# 440328 , Reply# 3   3/26/2021 at 08:46 (1,098 days old) by luxz80 (England)        

Photos??

Post# 440330 , Reply# 4   3/26/2021 at 09:27 (1,097 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        

dysonman1's profile picture
The golden Tradition was not all that attractive, especially as compared to the golden Ultimate G.

  View Full Size
Post# 440332 , Reply# 5   3/26/2021 at 10:54 (1,097 days old) by Brando_husky (Las Vegas Nevada)        

If you can find one for $100-400 snag it up. Never seen one go that cheap.

Post# 440333 , Reply# 6   3/26/2021 at 12:32 (1,097 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Umm

lesinutah's profile picture
Blaze in super market section bought his for$200 and just sold it for probably the same amount. I'm pretty sure the poster bought it.

Post# 440336 , Reply# 7   3/26/2021 at 14:07 (1,097 days old) by dryredsea (Colorado)        

Attached photos, it has never been used, and I should have wiped it down before taking photos a little dusty.

  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 3         View Full Size
Post# 440337 , Reply# 8   3/26/2021 at 15:01 (1,097 days old) by vacuumkid47 (Sibley, IA)        

vacuumkid47's profile picture
Technically it is designed to NEVER be used, but I have seen salesman use their trophy machine.

Post# 440338 , Reply# 9   3/26/2021 at 15:24 (1,097 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
dryredsea

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
I have seen many people say that to use it like your everyday Kirby is not encouraged, since the anodized gold plating used on the external parts will wear off after repeated cleanings, especially if stored improperly.

Also, the inside of the cloth bag is made of white felt, which some say can easily deteriorate.

~Ben


Post# 440339 , Reply# 10   3/26/2021 at 15:39 (1,097 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
still looks great, though.

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
I can understand it not being used.


Post# 440342 , Reply# 11   3/26/2021 at 19:01 (1,097 days old) by rivstg1 (colorado springs)        

rivstg1's profile picture
I passed on one in 2019 for $85, they aren't THAT valuable, they are attractive and rare though.

Post# 440343 , Reply# 12   3/26/2021 at 19:24 (1,097 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
One member here that owned, or knew a guy that owned a vacuum shop that was closing, (I think it was in Texas?) had a few of these golden Kirbys. He had them at $200 each and they took a long time to sell I think someone did eventually buy them.

But yeah, $1,000 is way off. I will stick at saying $200 being well within reason.


Post# 440344 , Reply# 13   3/26/2021 at 19:36 (1,097 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
huskyvacs

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Blaze did acquire the Heritage II you mention from Rob's shop and which he later recently sold.

~Ben


Post# 440345 , Reply# 14   3/26/2021 at 19:42 (1,097 days old) by myvacsrock (USA)        

I think the bigger issue is finding someone who both wants it and has the money.
I buy a lot of vacuums, but I have no interest in one of these. Always a balancing act.


Post# 440346 , Reply# 15   3/26/2021 at 19:52 (1,097 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
With my collection I like to focus on the unusual, unique, or weird. A gold plated Kirby definitely falls under that category, for sure.

I do add some good well regarded vacuum models here and there, and of course any vacuums I rescue from the curb or thrift stores for cheap are more than welcome to live with me. It actually ends up being a nicely balanced collection with all those combined factors and "rules" in place, so to say. But in a do-or-die moment, if it came down to the wire and a bad situation, I'd really only keep all my Kirbys. And my Zed-Series Hoovers. The rest would move on to new caretakers. But hopefully that won't happen until the planet looks like "Futurama" perhaps. lol


Post# 440356 , Reply# 16   3/27/2021 at 02:53 (1,097 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
myvacsrock

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Kyle,

My issue, presently, in addition to some of what you mention, is the available space in my garage for any more additions.

~Ben


Post# 440359 , Reply# 17   3/27/2021 at 07:29 (1,097 days old) by KirbyCollector (Columbus Ohio USA)        
I want it bad.

kirbycollector's profile picture
But I don’t know exactly how much the owner wants and if I can afford it.

Post# 440382 , Reply# 18   3/27/2021 at 20:18 (1,096 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Ben

lesinutah's profile picture
If you were able to get a 1979 gold tradition with the headlight safety switch. I imagine that would be a super rare kirby. If I found a version I just mentioned I would want it.
I had an opportunity 4 years ago to get a heritage 2 for $195 but I bought my all original 505 instead.
You have to play poker face when getting vacs. I would like any version of the janitronic vacuums.
I guess blaze got it for $85 when the vacuumm shop in plano texas was going out of business. Iirc he had a family member win another golden kirby. The original poster did you get this vacuum from blaze?


Post# 442414 , Reply# 19   5/31/2021 at 00:16 (1,032 days old) by dryredsea (Colorado)        

No actually received it from my grandmother. it was from my grandfather, who passed away, but earned and made his living from selling kirbys

Post# 464048 , Reply# 20   6/21/2023 at 16:57 (280 days old) by 2011hoover700 (owosso michigan)        

2011hoover700's profile picture
How were golden kirbys earned?
Thanks.


Post# 464049 , Reply# 21   6/21/2023 at 18:09 (280 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
2011hoover700

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Damien,

These were handed out, as sales awards, by Kirby to whichever dealer sold the most Kirbys.

~Ben


Post# 464051 , Reply# 22   6/21/2023 at 20:38 (280 days old) by odavid123 (Los Angeles ca )        

odavid123's profile picture
So cool! Which model was first to get plated gold ?

Post# 464052 , Reply# 23   6/21/2023 at 21:37 (280 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
odavid123

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
David,

I think the Dual Sanitronic 50 was, at least the one given to actress Phyllis Diller.

~Ben


Post# 464053 , Reply# 24   6/21/2023 at 23:15 (280 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Ben

lesinutah's profile picture
Do you have a pic of the hold ds 50.

Post# 464056 , Reply# 25   6/22/2023 at 08:34 (280 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
LesinUtah

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Les,

There is one out there but it's in black and white so, sorry...

~Ben


Post# 464062 , Reply# 26   6/22/2023 at 15:39 (279 days old) by OpelGTKarl (Puyallup, Washington)        
Golden DS 50

opelgtkarl's profile picture
This golden Dual Sanitronic 50 was on EBay recently. It looks like it sold since looking, but I saved the pictures for reference. These are just the pictures from the listing, but I did not buy it myself. I’m guessing this was a Golden Trophy model.

  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 7         View Full Size
Post# 464065 , Reply# 27   6/22/2023 at 17:14 (279 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
OpelGTKarl

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Karl,

That is awesome you found one at all!

Sadly, someone removed the original serial number plate.

~Ben


Post# 464067 , Reply# 28   6/22/2023 at 22:05 (279 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Wow

lesinutah's profile picture
That is really sweet. Thanks for the pic.

Post# 464084 , Reply# 29   6/23/2023 at 18:57 (278 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada)        

kirbylux77's profile picture
Holy crap, that is one sweet Kirby! Easily my favorite of the Golden Trophy models. Just imagine how nice it would have looked complete with it's original bag....

Post# 464100 , Reply# 30   6/24/2023 at 18:21 (277 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Ya

lesinutah's profile picture
I found the sold ad on ebay. It was $600 obo. I'd love a ds80 golden version but that ds50 is the first pre tradition gold kirby I've seen.
If you think 50-55 years ago was when a ds80 would've been selling. If ypu guess 30-35 years old a vacuum shop owner would be 90 years old.
I love the Janatronic I have the gold ds80 would be nice.
Finishing my electric vacuette should be happening soon hopefully.



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