Classic III back from Kirby

[air-waycharlie]

Love them or hate them, (and there are people that do!), they sure are pretty after Kirby does their magic on them.

In the cleaning competition that the VCCC does, a Kirby has never beaten a Hoover that I am aware of. They compete in different categories, (revolving brush with beater bar and revolving brush without beater bar), however, we have had some contests of our own. So, draw your own conclusions.

I still like to use them on occasion and this Classic III feels great when pushing it around. When I upgrade the brushroll to a 4-strip with the inside track belt, it will be noticeably better.

Love that bright red with the polished metal. Sort of reminds me of the high end GM cars from 1958/59 in a way.............and a tartan red plaid bag to boot! Oy.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Complete with attachments

Miss Classic III with the whole mishagash! Founds the attachments on ebay with holder and hose for $15 and the vacuum was a freebie from a co-worker.

Rebuild cost: $49.50
Attachments with shipping: $27

Essentially a new Kirby complete, (less the shampooer but who uses those anyway? BTW, the shag king is in the closet) for $76.50. Not too bad.

 

[hoover1060]

BTW, the shag king is in the closet

SHAG KING COME OUT GIRL!!!!

Charlie that is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!

 

[fnelson487]

One of my favs!!!!!

Charlie - She is a beauty - I told you so. The Classic III is one of my favorite Kirbys because I still have the one I bought new in 1976 (when I was 3, of course!) I sent her back to Kirby for a Reno-vation and she sits proudly in my bedroom walk-in closet ready to clean. They really are decent cleaners, however, not as good as the Model 69 convertible who she sits next to. They really are pretty. Geneva (God rest her soul) hated it, she wouldn't touch it. She could never figure out how to put on the attachments. Happy cleaning. Isn't just like Christmas or in Chanukah when you open that box from Kirby!!

Fred

 

[vinvac]

Classic III

Charlie,

WOW... Look at that shine!!! Alas, I purchased one on Ebay received the attachments, warranty book, handle, cord in one box and the PO lost the second box... all they will say is the tracking number doesn't mean anything and never send a package parcel post during the months of Nov Dec and Jan. So I will just sit here and drool....

 

[drmitch]

Another great classic!

 

[peterh770]

Very pretty!

Isn't there a new vacuum forum site coming soon?

 

[hoover1060]

Isn't there a new vacuum forum site coming soon?

So PeterH are you saying we're not welcome here??

 

[peterh770]

A little sensitive, aren't we?

No, I heard a rumour that there is a new vacuum site coming and was just inquiring about it.

 

[hoover1060]

sensitive?? MOI???

Not at all...

I just have very a very low tolerance for unkind people.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Possible VCCC website

PeterH,

There are some members of the VCCC that are hoping that sometime in the future that Robert will be able to design a website for vacuum enthusiasts to replace the current website we have for a myriad of reasons.

Time will only tell if this will happen. I did approach Robert about it and we have had several conversations and for the moment due to politics at the VCCC it is on hold.

Until the VCCC leadership, (it is expected and anticipated that there will be several changes this summer), agrees to a new website, Robert very kindly stated he was glad to let use this site as a "hotel".

I think there are only about 7 people that are from the VCCC and there is a small population of members that are involved dually such as myself.

 

[magic clean]

Kirby experts--got questions

That is a "sweet" cleaner. Can't get over their refurb process & beautiful outcome. What does the refurb program entail? Is it a complete refresh? Also, experts in what version (model) of a Kirby would work well on thick cut pile plush carpet as well as nubby Berber? Also, does Kirby still offer that thick felt pad that snaps on the carper nozzle that allows the machine to work on hard surface floors?

 

[chestermikeuk]

SuperShiney Vacs

Hi Charlie

Thats some shine on the little beauty, love the burgandy red colour, is the bag new as well??

I for one found my addiction to washers through a Kirby Tradition Vac ....went to a house sale looking for a log burner, it was sold, on the way out next to the door was said Kirby Tradition, loads of boxes complete with guarantee, shiny as hell just factory renovated, the lady wanted £30...

Couldnt resist, brought it home, spent the rest of the day trying out all the bits, including looking for a loop pile carpet to try the deep blue "Shag King" on...didnt have a clue what that was about until Scott told me much later...LOl

I didnt collect any appliances then, I was searching on the web for Kirby spares and came across the yahoo Classic Appliances site, Wow...was like coming out all over again...I started mailing the guys on the club and six months later when Robert, Scott, Greg & Jon along with Louis asked a simple question "Why Dont You Come To The 2001 Convention"...well I thought why dont I ....I went and booked the ticket, flights etc and then calmly said to my partner, are you here in three weeks time to look after the dogs...yes he said..Why...

Well I`m going to an Appliance Convention in Minneapolis..."WHAT" ...I`m Flying to Minneapolis...Are you out of your tiny mind!!!...Do you know these people!! What if they are a load of anoraks and a cult, you might end up in the mountains tied to a tree (toggle dont say a word) and never be seen again....at that point I did get a little nervous, but as soon as I got there never looked back, loads of new friends and more each day..

And now 55 Washers, 75 Vacs, Hey..there we have it, and here`s the vac that started it all...LOL

 

[westytoploader]

Very nice Charlie!!!! Even those Classic III's (not really my favorite model as I prefer the earlier Classics) look nice all polished up; I'm a bit envious as well!!

Guys, even after the new site is created, by all means don't feel like you have to leave Automaticwasher.org...y'all know you're MORE THAN WELCOME and I enjoy the new finds and information!! It is worth noting, however, that I will be sending out my VCCC membership form on August 27, 2006 so none of that really matters if you do decide to abandon us

Also, keep in mind (*cough, cough*) that if someone feels that a particular thread doesn't "belong" according to their "standards", it is their decision to read it and post a comment or not. It all goes back to the user to choose which threads to read and ignore...basically, if you don't like it, DON'T READ IT!

I thought this was the Super forum...damn!

--Austin

 

[fnelson487]

Kirby Rebuilds

Magi-Clean
Having had a few Kirbys rebuilt by the factory, I can tell you that you literally get a brand new machine. The whole machine is disassembled, carbons replaced, armatures rebuilt if needed, all metal polished, as you can see, beautifully. All trim including the cord is completely replaced including the wheels, bag replaced, etc, etc. This program is generally only available to the original owner, but they can use it as many times as you want. The older ones don't come back with the original color trim (see Charlie's earlier thread on the 510 sent back.)

All Kirbys have at least 8 height adjustments so, theoretically, they should work as well on berber as deep plush, but I find that the narrow wheels on the Classic III and earlier tend to leave wheel trails on plush carpeting. They went to all wide wheels on the Tradition (see Mike's above) and later.

Fred

 

[hoover1060]

Thanks Austin!

I'd also like you to know you and your mom are most welcome to join us in St Louis in June. I have a feeling that it will be one spectacular convention!

I don't know that we have decided where the 2007 convention will be, but for 2008 we are heading to "mecca" AKA North Canton Ohio. A certain company(well now just a name) is having their 100th birthday that year!

 

[petek]

Now my Classic III looks downright dowd compared to that one. I finally got the complete attachment set for it a couple of months ago from Doug. Since I made it back to original without paper bags it's more for show now. I still use the Tradition and the Heritage Legend II (my fave) I've another Heritage Legend II in pieces in a box, still haven't gotten round to putting a new fan on it and by the time I do I'll have forgotten how to put it back together LOL . Just saw another Classic III sitting at a thrift shop the other day and I managed to leave without it.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Some additions........

Chestermike,
Yes, that is a new bag, part of the rebuild that is done by Kirby. Like Fred said, they replace almost every componet other than the housing and handle.

Austin,
DEFINATELY try to come to the VCCC convention in St. Louis and bring Miss Venus with you as I am sure she would have a great time. You will meet a wide variety of vacuum enthusiasts and garner lots of information.
Thanks for your thoughts on us posting here. After a poster made an unsavory comment towards me a while back, I received emails from the webmaster and one of the founders saying to ignore that post and that we vac folk have added some wonderful conversation and pictures here. So until I here differently from the "higher powers", I will look forward to continuing to post here with the webmaster's blessing.

Magic Clean,
The only thing I would add to Fred's post on cleaning is that Kirby did not use the 4 brush strip brushroll until around the Heritage II, I think. That brushroll, (4 brushstrip) is available, genuine Kirby too, for the 513 through Dual 80 and for the large head Classics and Tradition. The ungraded brushroll makes a HUGE difference in cleaning.
Kirby did come out with, fairly recently, a new brushroll for the G sreies that is really efficient and an improvement over the previous brushroll. So, by upgrading most older Kirby's with a better brushroll and belt, they are far better vacuums for both plush and berber.

 

[hoover1060]

to take Charlie's suggestion one step further

Once the 4 brush roller is installed, turn those height adjusting screws ALL the way in. This lowers bristle length and allows the brush to dig into the carpet better while still allowing AIRFLOW. With the brush set at Kirby's spec(1/16" of bristle protruding from the rugplate) they hug the carpet too much. Turning the brush down all the way makes the cleaner easier to bush and less clunky feeling, although they are still beastly on plush carpets. This also allows the user to set the height adjuster the way it was meant to be set!

Here's my Omega after being attacked by me with some steel wool and aluminum polish. Its a definate improvement over what it first looked like, but has a ways to go yet!