I cannot remember who wanted a red Royal tank with sleds, but I found one on eBay. But there is a catch...obviously, the price. But some people will pay good money for a rare vacuum! Like a model O for example! I just wonder how much those go for on eBay...
But you can also make an offer. Does it matter how low your offer is, or does the seller get to decide whether or not to sell it to you? Would it be possible to offer $.01 and if you are the only one offering, to win? I have always wondered how this system works...
Seriously now! The "Make Offer" feature is similar to a reserve price. You can make a reasonable offer and if the seller accepts it, you can buy the machine. Judging by how outrageous this one is going for (he's dreaming; these machines aren't THAT rare), I'm thinking the seller won't be accepting anything below $350...
but I believe this machine has been painted. I have never seen that style of Royal tank in that color. The red tanks did not come out until the early 1950s. This one is an early 1940s model. I have seen quite a few of them over the years, early ones being dark charcoal - almost black - wrinkle finish, and then the later ones being lighter gray wrinkle finish. Both end caps should be chrome. This is probably a rebuilt machine, maybe by a vac shop.
Any way you look at it, the seller has been inhaling paint fumes if s/he thinks it's worth anywhere near their opening bid!