Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Kettle Forum => Topic started by: ASpitzer on April 10, 2023, 08:08:35 AM

Title: Mothership picked up
Post by: ASpitzer on April 10, 2023, 08:08:35 AM
Finally made it to Chicago on Friday to pick up the Mothership I bought. 8 hrs and 480 miles round trip. Picked it up in an old Chicago neighborhood. Beautiful homes from the 1940s. Very nice gentleman I bought it from. He is closing his parents estate and said that he thought it had been in the family since the late 60's-early 70s. Thought that the last time it was used was in the mid 90s. Exceptionally clean inside. No buildup on the lid or kettle. A few scrapes here and there but in really good condition. The charcoal grate is warped pretty badly but will see if I can't straighten/flatten it out some. One edge of the cooking grate is bent in a little right where the flip up portion is to add charcoal. Legs and wheels are in great condition. The wire triangle has some rust but I think it will clean up. The one handle on the kettle has some rust issues and is a little loose but it is the one at the back - not the one at the front leg position. It still had the original thumb screws to hold the legs. It included the rotisserie ring that also is in very good condition. It has the mount for the motor and the chrome is flaking some on it but is not bent. He said that the motor and spit have long been lost. He didn't remember the last time he even saw them. If anyone has information on the specs for the spit I will try to reproduce one and find a motor that will fit.I will get some photos taken and post them as I get it cleaned up later this week. I am excited to have a cook on it. Maybe a suckling pig or a small goat?
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: JEBIV on April 10, 2023, 08:16:58 AM
That is an amazing score. congratulations.
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: Mr.CPHo on April 10, 2023, 08:36:08 AM
Damn that's such a cool mothership!  Congrats
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: RRRanger99 on April 10, 2023, 08:59:22 AM
Very nice! Congrats!
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: bamakettles on April 10, 2023, 09:00:21 AM
Awesome, congratulations on that spectacular find!


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: vader on April 10, 2023, 03:01:56 PM
$669.99
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: bladz on April 11, 2023, 01:32:12 AM
Very nice!   Congrats!


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: Chesapeake Weber on April 11, 2023, 03:27:46 AM
That thing is really cool. Can't wait to see cleanup and then some cool pics.

OneGrill has a good variety of rotisserie rods, etc. 
https://www.onegrill.com/Universal_Grill_Rotisserie_Spit_Rods_s/122.htm


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: ASpitzer on April 11, 2023, 05:43:09 AM
Thanks everyone. I'll post some more photos after I get it cleaned up. Busy here at work so it may take a couple of weeks. Yes vader, Ebay $669.99. First one I have seen for sale close to me. I was happy at that price. Chesapeake Weber, thanks for the recommendation of OneGrill. I'll check it out for something that will fit.
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: SixZeroFour on April 11, 2023, 08:35:59 AM
What a sweet mothership! Congratulations!

Most universal rotisserie motors should fit that mount as far as I can tell, or worst case with a slight modification would slide on there. Spit should be pretty easy to fab up as well. What a cool grill
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: AZ2FL on April 11, 2023, 01:19:54 PM
Congratulations on a sweet mothership!

I have a Ranch with a homemade Roti ring. I used a OneGrill heavy duty universal kit. It's overkill unless you're spinning a whole pig.
https://www.onegrill.com/Universal_Stainless_Grill_Rotisserie_53_X_5_8_p/6ps1007.htm

I'd recommend the OneGrill Universal Complete Grill Rotisserie Kit - 45" x 5/16" w/ Electric Motor.
https://www.onegrill.com/Universal_Grill_Rotisserie_Kit_45_x_5_16_Rod_p/4ps64.htm

I also have two OneGrill 13-watt electric rotisserie motors. OneGrill makes a great product!

Cheers


Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: Big Dawg on April 11, 2023, 01:31:37 PM
Grate Find ! ! !





BD
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: Pezdogs on April 12, 2023, 06:46:07 AM
Stunning grill

Sent from my SM-S908E using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)

Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: michaelmilitello on April 13, 2023, 10:05:52 AM
So Badass. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: bgilbert44 on April 20, 2023, 08:46:52 AM
According to the Age Guide, this Ranch Kettle is likely from 1962-63. The biggest indicator is the all-metal handles, as Weber switched to wooden lid handles in 1964. Also, the wheel style matches the style used from 1962-1968 as the previous design was a little different. Finally, this Ranch has a wire bottom shelf compared to the Ash Triangle seen in the late 50's (yes, there are a few Motherships with Ash Triangles floating around). That means this beauty is right at 60 years old! For it's age, it's in PHENOMENAL shape!
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: OkieGirl on April 20, 2023, 09:17:04 AM
Congratulations!
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: ASpitzer on April 20, 2023, 10:12:09 AM
Quote from: bgilbert44 on April 20, 2023, 08:46:52 AM
According to the Age Guide, this Ranch Kettle is likely from 1962-63. The biggest indicator is the all-metal handles, as Weber switched to wooden lid handles in 1964. Also, the wheel style matches the style used from 1962-1968 as the previous design was a little different. Finally, this Ranch has a wire bottom shelf compared to the Ash Triangle seen in the late 50's (yes, there are a few Motherships with Ash Triangles floating around). That means this beauty is right at 60 years old! For it's age, it's in PHENOMENAL shape!
That is about the age I was thinking. Looking through the old brochures on file with WKC or TVWBB it looked like the cover on the bottom of the front leg was gray until after 62-63 although that could just be the artist rendering choosing that. It is incredibly clean. I have been working on cleaning it up and have the lid about done. Will try to work on it some more this weekend. Things have been pretty busy at work and just haven't been able to get time for it. Looking forward to cooking on it though.

I did order a spit and motor from OneGrill that AZ2FL recommended and will get it fitted to the ring. Don't plan on modifying the existing mount or drilling more holes in it. I'll see what I can do.
Title: Re: Mothership picked up
Post by: kcsmokinribs on April 20, 2023, 11:10:14 AM
Congratulations! Looks great!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)