Kirby G4 (1995) (UK) Vintage Vacuum Cleaner - Review and quick demo

This is my Kirby G4e, from November 1995. The G4, built in the USA, was the second model in the Generation line, replacing the G3 in late 1993. It ran up until late 1996 before being replaced by the G5.
The G4 featured "Tech Drive" transmission (power assisted rear wheels), improved from the G3, and also featured Micron Magic filter bags. It was rated at 635W and, as with all Kirbys before, it used the direct air, or "dirty fan" system. Aside from the colours used, it was very similar to the G3 it replaced, and at the time, in the mid 90's, they retailed via home demo only for around the region of £1000.
The Kirby is widely regarded as the "Rolls Royce" of vacuum cleaners, steeped in tradition and built to the highest quality out of aluminium alloy - there are no poorly made flimsy plastics, no flash in the pan gimmicks, just time tested reliability and ability to perform its job of cleaning carpets, day in day out.

The Kirby G4 is a very versatile machine, and various additions could be bought to complement the basic vacuum cleaner, including the carpet shampoo system and turbo sander.
The Kirby G4 (and every other UK Kirby model to date) used a removable floorhead (suction nozzle with integral belt and brushroll) which could be detached to fit the supplied hose directly to the fan housing, but the main problem with this is that the hose is not integral with the machine, and has to be stored separately from the machine. The suction nozzle can also be replaced by an optional shampooing nozzle, and the bag/emptor assembly replaced by a shampoo dispense tank, thus making the Kirby a carpet shampooer, utilising Kirby foam shampoo. The hose could also be attached to the motor outlet port, making the Kirby a blower, inflator, or, using the "suds-o-gun", a portable shampooer. The Kirby G4 came complete with a plastic tool carry case called the "Kirby Kaddy", and a comprehensive set of tools.

The G4, despite being 20 years old now, still remains in wide circulation in the UK today - a testament to the long life of these machines.
Prices for second hand Kirbys are very competitive, and because they have changed so little over the last 25 years, bargain machines from the Generation series (G3, G4, G5, G6, and Ultimate G (1990 - 2006)) can be picked up for under £200, so you can have a "Rolls Royce" for "Ford Fiesta" money!