Greetings!
Not sure how I got this far in life without registering here. Life long Arlington Heights, IL resident. Lucky enough to live only about 1,000 feet from (and old enough to remember when it was still there) the Arlington Heights, IL factory. (now a soccer field)
When my parents moved to Arlington Heights in 1980 when I was first born one of the first things my dad did was go straight to the factory on Hickory Ave. and pick up a 22" classic kettle. Still have it to this day. I don't know if you could always get them directly from the factory, but he was able to get one in 1980. Since then I have a created a small collection of kettles. I have my Dad's 1980 Kettle, a 1976 kettle (love all things from the bicentennial year) then I have a kettle from the first year production was moved from Arlington Heights, IL to Palatine, IL. Got an older early 80's Smokey Joe, and then I have a newer Spirit for daily utility grilling. Had a nice Genesis for about 15 years, but it bit the dust a year ago and I downsized to the Spirit, very happy with it though.
ALWAYS on the lookout for anything vintage or rare. had a few slip through my hands over the years. Had a 70's red kettle that got lost amongst a move to and from college, very bummed about that. Had a number of occasions where I spotted a great one at the curb, by the time I circled around they were already gone.
Current grail is a Simpson's Edition kettle.
Thanks for having me aboard!
-Anthony