Running Out of Room...

I agree with you on not having the same exact model for the most part (other than to provide spare parts from a non-working example for one of your working machines), but sometimes that one model can have differing features either early or late in its production run. There are many examples:

Prior to about April 1953, the Kirby 513 had the same 3 amp motor from the 512, as well as the non-swiveling top cord hook and gray handle grip plastic; afterward, this would change to a 4 amp motor, swiveling top cord hook, and the handle grip plastic was now in the same shade of red as the nozzle and headlight cap bumpers.

Prior to about January 1973, the Kirby Classic 1CR's rug nozzle did not have the holes on its sides for the Shag King. Both of my Classic 1CRs are like this.

Prior to about January 1978, the Kirby Classic III 2CB's handle grip had a different design, as well as the two cord hooks on the handle fork being located on the same side of the machine as the cloth bag.

Prior to about October 1979, the Kirby Tradition 3CB had its speed switch placed inside the headlight cap. This also meant a pin was built into each of the front-mounted accessories (rug nozzle, hose, Crystalator, Miracle Head, Handi-Butler and Rug Renovator) in order to activate it.

Prior to January 1985, the Kirby Heritage II 2HD had the same winged rug nozzle casting as the Heritage 1HD. It was also after that date that the basic attachment set was now stored in what was known as the "Kirby Kaddy," and the Turbo Brush accessory replaced by the Zippbrush.

After September 1990, the Kirby Legend II's Renovation Group casting was changed to maroon from black, and so was the large Sani Emtor casting used with the shake-out (reusable) cloth bag. The basic attachments and Kirby Kaddy were also changed over to the Generation 3 style, except for the following: hose connector to motor, lifter grip, Suds-O-Gun and air intake guard. In addition, these carry-over tools were even in the Generation 3's off-white in 1991.

~Ben

This post was last edited 11/14/2021 at 20:49


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Post# 447819 11/14/2021 at 15:50 (899 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)
Checkrate/Likes In the last couple of weeks, I have come to the unavoidable conclusion that I'm running out of room for any more vacuums. The back hallway, where quite a few of them are parked has become almost impassable so yesterday, I decided I needed to do something about it and began moving machines to the barn. I really wish I had space for more of them down there but it's still crammed full of my late father's electric trains and antique toy cars. I definitely know where my collecting sickness comes from. I've decided to put a moratorium on any new 'vacquisitions' for a while or until I find something I absolutely can't live without. One thing's for sure, I can't let myself go vaucuum crazy again as I've done this year and I'm going to have to seriously consider further thinning out of the herd. It won't be easy but the way things are right now is unsustainable. I've heard about getting to the point of 'enough' and I think I passed that some time ago.

Post# 447820 , Reply# 1 11/14/2021 at 17:07 (898 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes *human* Edgar, You're not alone. I am facing the same predicament myself. I have not only a Kirby Generation 3 on the way, but also another Heritage II, not to mention all the other dream machines I am still after. ~Ben

Post# 447821 , Reply# 2 11/14/2021 at 17:11 (898 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)
Checkrate/Likes What works for me, everyone is different in what they collect, but what works for me is avoiding letting the collection get too "samey". I'm always saving and reselling vacuums that I can get to fund parts runs for my other vacuums, but my collection that I keep permanently is focused on keeping the unique and rare. Example being that if I already have one or two Orecks I'm not going to add another unless it's a show-stopper or something you do not see often (like the American series or a very early 90s model or an XL2 in the neon colors) If I get another Hoover Windtunnel it will be a unique model than the others or have something special about it. Same also goes for any vacuum that is shaped like a Hoover Convertible across all marques (Eureka, Sanitaire, Hoover, etc) With Kirbys, I am going for having every model, and will not add another of the same model if I already have it. I do have a couple duplicates of the G series I got to customize though that is the only exception to the rule. Will also add exception for the brushroll size variants. I have a lot of Sharks and Dysons just because I got them cheap from store salvage resellers (Under $50 with free shipping) and they all worked right out of the box, so that's how I ended up with them, and they were current models as well still selling for $270. So I'll get vacuums that way too if it's a model still being sold on retail and I can get it for 80% less. I don;t fully have my vacuums on display but they are scattered all over the house. I will prune out some of the ho-hum stuff and maybe some of the hand vacs but as long as you have a direction for your collection, you will be fine :)

Post# 447822 , Reply# 3 11/14/2021 at 17:51 (898 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes *huskyvacs* I agree with you on not having the same exact model for the most part (other than to provide spare parts from a non-working example for one of your working machines), but sometimes that one model can have differing features either early or late in its production run. There are many examples: Prior to about April 1953, the Kirby 513 had the same 3 amp motor from the 512, as well as the non-swiveling top cord hook and gray handle grip plastic; afterward, this would change to a 4 amp motor, swiveling top cord hook, and the handle grip plastic was now in the same shade of red as the nozzle and headlight cap bumpers. Prior to about January 1973, the Kirby Classic 1CR's rug nozzle did not have the holes on its sides for the Shag King. Both of my Classic 1CRs are like this. Prior to about January 1978, the Kirby Classic III 2CB's handle grip had a different design, as well as the two cord hooks on the handle fork being located on the same side of the machine as the cloth bag. Prior to about October 1979, the Kirby Tradition 3CB had its speed switch placed inside the headlight cap. This also meant a pin was built into each of the front-mounted accessories (rug nozzle, hose, Crystalator, Miracle Head, Handi-Butler and Rug Renovator) in order to activate it. Prior to January 1985, the Kirby Heritage II 2HD had the same winged rug nozzle casting as the Heritage 1HD. It was also after that date that the basic attachment set was now stored in what was known as the "Kirby Kaddy," and the Turbo Brush accessory replaced by the Zippbrush. After September 1990, the Kirby Legend II's Renovation Group casting was changed to maroon from black, and so was the large Sani Emtor casting used with the shake-out (reusable) cloth bag. The basic attachments and Kirby Kaddy were also changed over to the Generation 3 style, except for the following: hose connector to motor, lifter grip, Suds-O-Gun and air intake guard. In addition, these carry-over tools were even in the Generation 3's off-white in 1991. ~Ben This post was last edited 11/14/2021 at 20:49

Post# 447825 , Reply# 4 11/15/2021 at 08:05 (898 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Edgar,* I can appreciate that. I keep looking around................. Fortunately, I've rounded up at least 30 that will go at the convention. But, I'll have things displayed all over tho house. They WILL get packed up after that. For example: the multiples.