Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Craig on August 11, 2013, 06:26:39 PM

Title: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Craig on August 11, 2013, 06:26:39 PM
I have searched the site and the rest of the 'net and unless I'm blind, I have yet to see a 1982 (D) kettle. Does anyone have one? Had one? Seen one? In the wild? In captivity?  ;D  Seems to be a few 1981 C's out there and quite a few 1983 E's, but the D seems to be the "Great Pumpkin" of the lettered kettles.  :-\
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: G$ on August 11, 2013, 06:34:00 PM
Craig, have you ever seen a C code that had one type of handle on the lid and the other kind on the bowl?

And no, I do not recall ever seeing a D.  Is that one of the missing vent codes pictures then?
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Craig on August 11, 2013, 06:47:25 PM
Craig, have you ever seen a C code that had one type of handle on the lid and the other kind on the bowl?

And no, I do not recall ever seeing a D.  Is that one of the missing vent codes pictures then?

I've seen C codes with riveted handles lid AND bowl, C codes with riveted style lid and screwed style on the bowl and vice versa. Definitely a transitional year '81 was. The shape of the '81 single screws were like the riveted with the thinner profile. I know by 1983 the wood handle shape/profile was the later/modern style.
D is a missing vent picture, and for now, the missing link and grill to the date codes. I know that there was no "I" code, because 1986 was H code then they skipped "I" for 1987 and went to J or "crooked J".
 
Heres an all riveted 1981 "C" I'd love to have one like this... Its not mine.
 
(http://imageshack.us/a/img706/2972/1981kettle.jpg)
 
Bowl Handle

(http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/259/idyb.jpg)

Lid handle

(http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/7612/w96e.jpg)
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: G$ on August 11, 2013, 07:21:03 PM
So it makes you wonder if they ever stamped D.  Almost like C was the clean it all out, make nothing new year.....
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Craig on August 11, 2013, 07:22:27 PM
So it makes you wonder if they ever stamped D.  Almost like C was the clean it all out, make nothing new year.....

I've been starting to wonder if that's the case.
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: G on August 11, 2013, 07:30:33 PM
Interesting.  Good catch Craig.   I don't have one and don't recall seeing one either.
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: kendoll on August 11, 2013, 08:26:49 PM
I love the irregularity of the paint on that C code!

Ken
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: 1buckie on August 11, 2013, 10:47:32 PM

This is a PM I sent to Marty on Aug 6th ~~>

 Was stumbling around the BBQ InterToob I ended up @ TVVBBWWBWB, or whatever they're called & found this ~~~>

One year ago yesterday, Ken Mc  answering Brian about one of his kettles:

"Hey Ken is that grill light gray? "

"actually Brian it is a nice bright silver "

Couple posts down:

"How old do you think it is Ken? "

"It is a "D" Brian, 1982 "

(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/Cookers%202012/new%20cookers%202013/097vl.jpg)


Congrats Bman! You got yourself a Poster. Only D to go.

  ^^^^^^^  That's the last info I can see @ "Vent Code Update"

Just need to get a clear pic from Ken & yer done...... 8)
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: MartyG on August 12, 2013, 01:07:55 AM
I followed up with Ken and it's NOT a D after all - it's an N.  So the hunt for truth remains on for now. Could very well be that D did not exist, but it's fun to think that it does.
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: G on August 12, 2013, 03:23:15 AM
Glad that was confirmed because I was going to call shenanigans....I believe the "silver" was only made in 1991. 
Title: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Craig on August 12, 2013, 12:25:58 PM
There's a pic that I can google later when I'm home of a guy claiming his redhead 22 was made in 1982, but there's no close up of the vent.
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: 1buckie on August 12, 2013, 01:37:50 PM


 Ah Ha.......

So the ball's still up in the air !!!!!!

I followed up with Ken and it's NOT a D after all - it's an N.  So the hunt for truth remains on for now. Could very well be that D did not exist, but it's fun to think that it does.

Maybe that's the case?

There's a lot of "C"s out there.....perhaps they made TWO YEARS' worth & sent everybody on vacation for a bit........ 8)
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Hogsy on August 12, 2013, 01:44:38 PM
I agree Buckie ..... Well kinda
I've noticed over here that H or 1986 must of been a huge year for the red 18
I have 4, Golly has a couple and a lot of the others I've seen on Gumtree and eBay over here are all H code
They must of pumped up production of certain kettles some years or maybe they just sent a boat load of red 18's over to OZ that year
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Tom C on August 12, 2013, 09:35:17 PM
In 1981-1982 there was a bad recession here in the US
Title: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Craig on August 13, 2013, 04:09:38 AM
It could also account for the different wood handle styles. Maybe the felt D didn't read well on a vent much like they never did "I"
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: G$ on August 13, 2013, 05:24:20 AM
Maybe the felt D didn't read well on a vent much like they never did "I"

Could be, but the difference is we know, and weber has confirmed (via the years) that they never even planned to make single I codes.  D reads fine on the newer two digit codes.
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Craig on August 13, 2013, 07:17:35 AM
Here's the link to the site. He says his redhead was manufactured in 1982. It's got all the characteristics of an early 1980s kettle. 3 wheeler and all. Its a sweet looking redhead but I don't know how old the picture is.
 
http://www.bbq-pirates-va.com/bbq_cookers_grills.html (http://www.bbq-pirates-va.com/bbq_cookers_grills.html)
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: 1buckie on August 13, 2013, 07:37:26 AM
Here's the link to the site. He says his redhead was manufactured in 1982. It's got all the characteristics of an early 1980s kettle. 3 wheeler and all. Its a sweet looking redhead but I don't know how old the picture is.
 
http://www.bbq-pirates-va.com/bbq_cookers_grills.html (http://www.bbq-pirates-va.com/bbq_cookers_grills.html)


That's a GREAT site !!!

Ton of recipes & pics......
Think I may write into them thanking them for all that & also ask about the kettle....
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Craig on August 13, 2013, 07:38:46 AM
I'm getting hungry just reading the recipes.  :o
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Craig on August 13, 2013, 07:40:57 AM
From the FAQ
 
Why do you have so many cookers?
You wouldn't ask a pirate about his sword would you?

 
 
Tagline ALERT!   8)
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: 1buckie on August 13, 2013, 07:49:46 AM
From the FAQ
 
Why do you have so many cookers?
You wouldn't ask a pirate about his sword would you?

 
 
Tagline ALERT!   8)

Yeah, no kiddin' !!!!

I get a weird kickback when I try the 'contact' tab.....that page flashes, but will not load.....anyone?

tom@bbq-pirates-va.com   <<<< hovering over 'contact' I get this.......?  Not Sure?
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: G$ on August 13, 2013, 08:04:23 AM
this guy is on the bretheren I think.  maybe PM him there
Title: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: ccoiv on August 13, 2013, 08:53:02 AM
From the FAQ
 
Why do you have so many cookers?
You wouldn't ask a pirate about his sword would you?

 
 
I just made an ass out of myself. I am reading this in a Dr. office waiting for my appointment and I honestly just laughed out loud.
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: 1buckie on August 13, 2013, 10:04:30 AM
this guy is on the bretheren I think.  maybe PM him there

Did that....we'll see......
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: harris92 on August 16, 2013, 05:12:54 PM
I THINK there is a "D" for sale in Littleton, Colorado.  Take a look at the third picture on the Craigslist ad. It is hard for me to blow it up.

http://denver.craigslist.org/for/4004923987.html


(http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a553/slieberman92/f6aabee4-eaae-4bc0-84ce-3edb3382de2f_zps574fc30e.jpg) (http://s1283.photobucket.com/user/slieberman92/media/f6aabee4-eaae-4bc0-84ce-3edb3382de2f_zps574fc30e.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: MartyG on August 16, 2013, 06:11:44 PM
Possible. I can't rule it out. Photoshop was not much help - there are simply too few pixels to work with. I tried all the tricks I know. Someone send the guy a note and ask for a better pic.
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Craig on August 16, 2013, 07:02:53 PM
Thanks for posting that pic Harris. Looking at it closely, it looks more like an A than a D. The pic is very fuzzy.  Other clues that point to it being an "A" are the metal bowl handles, and the straight edged twist on ash catcher. Thinking this is a '79'er. 
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Harbormaster on August 16, 2013, 08:21:47 PM
Well, we know they were stamping vents with a "D" at some point.
This is a pic of one of the bottom vents on my "C" WSM. There is a second date stamp, and it's a "D".

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/harbormasterwyc/cookers%20and%20gear/CWSMdualdatecodebottomvent_zps99f079a8.jpg) (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/harbormasterwyc/media/cookers%20and%20gear/CWSMdualdatecodebottomvent_zps99f079a8.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: G$ on August 16, 2013, 09:11:57 PM
Crazy vent HM. It sort of supports our point, that D was a transitional/throw awayyear.  What is most weird about your vent is the d looks smaller. Is it?
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Harbormaster on August 16, 2013, 09:40:10 PM
The vent, or the "D".
The vent is a normal 3 hole vent for an 18.5", but the "D" is smaller than the "C".
Title: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Craig on August 17, 2013, 08:24:07 AM
Now I'm wondering if there's C code kettles with a supplemental "D" on the bowl vents.
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: mike.stavlund on August 18, 2013, 11:07:40 AM
I wonder if there was some over-achiever at the Weber factory in 1981, who stamped out way too many 'C's.  Then they just used those up in the 1982 production year.
Title: Re: 1982. Is D the wild goose?
Post by: Craig on August 18, 2013, 11:23:31 AM
I'm still wondering about that yellow '78 that had a D stamped off to one side of the vent. I'm trying to find the image on here somewhere. Greg? Was that you that had that yellow D?