Here's an Ebay ad for one like mine, the "Legend II":
http://cgi.ebay.com/KIRBY-LEGEND-II-UPRIGHT-VACUUM-CLEANER_W0QQitemZ120131425376QQihZ002QQcategoryZ43525QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem]Any Kirby will do, though. The still make them in the same format, but new ones are insanely expensive.[/url]
Why so bad ass? Pics and BOLD text below if you want to skim.
Fuck'a drum impeller, these used a huge motor and a compressor wheel.
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/9392/suckit9.jpg
Why I'm posting, I wish I had a video camera.
A: I foundout it's self propelled. But that, I mean that when you take the bag off and turn it on, it generates enough thrust to propel itself across the floor...It weighs 20 fxing pounds.
B: So I thought I'd leave the bag off and suck up a Cheerio. I set the adjustable ride height as low as it goes and push it over the cheerio...or rather, I tried. I pushed, but it didn't move. I pushed very hard, it didn't budge. I tried to lift it AND COULD NOT, the carpet began coming up with it. I turned it of, and it rolled freely...right off of the oval that it left in the carpet. This thing makes enough vacuum to support it own weight if hung from the ceiling.
C: I adjusted the ride height up a bit and ran over the Cheerio...it hurt when it's fragments cam out the back and peppered my shin. The breeze coming out of this thing can be felt 15ft away.
If you ever see one of these at a garage sale, BUY IT.