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Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Mr.CPHo on May 19, 2020, 06:39:35 AM

Title: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Mr.CPHo on May 19, 2020, 06:39:35 AM
This acquisition was orchestrated by The Godfather himself, JEBIV, and secured by a grate Grillfella, Jon Tofte. 

I love kettle road trips and was undaunted by the 10 hour drive down to South Florida to pick up the Ranch from Jon.  After being stuck in the house for so long, it was really nice to get out and stretch our legs.  1400 easy miles there and back with the wife and dog, a cooler full of drinks and snacks, cheap gas, and beautiful weather, it was a great trip.

Upon closer inspection, the Ranch is in really good shape.  Some cancerous rot on the back handle, but otherwise intact and solid.  I fixed the caddywhompus legs immediately, and straightened out the triangle spokes and axle while disassembled.  I also had to pound out a mildly indented leg socket to level out the gangster lean. 

I am sorry for the terrible pictures, it’s been gloomy weather here lately.  But you know as soon as the weather cooperates, I’ll be dragging out all my “little” Webers to take better photos with this vintage mothership.   

Big thank you to both Joe and Jon.  The mothership is absolutely stunning and I’m so grateful to both of you. 
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: bamakettles on May 19, 2020, 06:43:59 AM
Wow!  That's a big ole girl there... Is the flip up grate original?  Didn't know they made those.  Very cool find and nice write-up.  Your first cook should be one hot dog on the edge for a funny scale shot.  (Borrowed from BBM on YouTube)
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: WeberKell11 on May 19, 2020, 06:50:50 AM
Awesome to see you got down there to pick her up!

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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: crowderjd on May 19, 2020, 06:54:04 AM
Wow!  Congratulations!  Looks fantastic, and I'm glad you got a road trip out of it...I've been searching so much for a nice grill to justify a road trip to get out of the house.  Love the patina on that Ranch.
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: michaelmilitello on May 19, 2020, 07:09:41 AM
Awesome story.  I also love a good kettle road trip.  I love cooking on my ranch.  I am impressed the slide aside lid holder and I’ll hold up the lid!   


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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: JEBIV on May 19, 2020, 07:15:12 AM
Awesome, so happy she is in her rightful home. Glad to be a "small" part of the whole deal
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Tbagley on May 19, 2020, 08:11:00 AM
Don't know where some of you find these things, that is a really nice find.
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: brewtownbeatdown on May 19, 2020, 08:30:35 AM
There really is something special about a MBH mothership Ranch.  So special that a fella who moved outta FL, rode tripped back to FL for one[emoji23].  Congrats Charlie!!!  Can’t wait to see more pics. 


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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: JEBIV on May 19, 2020, 08:39:55 AM
There really is something special about a MBH mothership Ranch.  So special that a fella who moved outta FL, rode tripped back to FL for one[emoji23].  Congrats Charlie!!!  Can’t wait to see more pics. 


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True !! and he is going to catch it from me for not stopping in Doraville, he knows where I live
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Mr.CPHo on May 19, 2020, 08:53:57 AM

There really is something special about a MBH mothership Ranch.  So special that a fella who moved outta FL, rode tripped back to FL for one[emoji23].  Congrats Charlie!!!  Can’t wait to see more pics. 


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True !! and he is going to catch it from me for not stopping in Doraville, he knows where I live
Really sorry, Joe, but ATL wasn’t on the way.  We went down 95 not 75. 

An ATL trip is coming.  Soon. 
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: JEBIV on May 19, 2020, 08:58:55 AM

There really is something special about a MBH mothership Ranch.  So special that a fella who moved outta FL, rode tripped back to FL for one[emoji23].  Congrats Charlie!!!  Can’t wait to see more pics. 


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True !! and he is going to catch it from me for not stopping in Doraville, he knows where I live
Really sorry, Joe, but ATL wasn’t on the way.  We went down 95 not 75. 

An ATL trip is coming.  Soon.
Ok so your off the hook LOL
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: LiquidOcelot on May 19, 2020, 09:51:59 AM
Soo bad ass

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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Dave in KC on May 19, 2020, 09:59:23 AM
Big thank you to both Joe and Jon.

You couldn't pick 2 better guys to help you out. 
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Cellar2ful on May 19, 2020, 10:19:48 AM


Ahhhhhhh!  "The Mothership" has landed. Congratulations Charlie.  Looking forward to seeing photos of your first cook on it. 
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: WNC on May 19, 2020, 10:24:35 AM
Amazing!
Can’t wait to see it in action!


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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Walchit on May 19, 2020, 11:13:27 AM
Nice!
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Mike in Roseville on May 19, 2020, 11:38:30 AM
Hella rad! Congrats Charlie!!!


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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Mr.CPHo on May 19, 2020, 03:30:41 PM
.
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: ReanimatedRobot on May 19, 2020, 04:33:22 PM
Glad this one went to a good home.  A very nice Ranch you have there. Congrats!

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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: bladz on May 19, 2020, 05:16:41 PM
Amazing!  Great teamwork all around.


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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Pezdogs on May 19, 2020, 05:47:49 PM
Spectacular grill and great work lads

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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: PotsieWeber on May 19, 2020, 06:13:02 PM
NICE! 
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: JEBIV on May 20, 2020, 04:03:59 AM
I can not believe that lid bail can hold that behemoth !!
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: ReanimatedRobot on May 20, 2020, 05:52:35 AM
I remember seeing this one listed and it is even better shape than I thought. Always nice when that happens.

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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Mr.CPHo on May 20, 2020, 06:09:50 AM

Wow!  That's a big ole girl there... Is the flip up grate original?  Didn't know they made those.  Very cool find and nice write-up.  Your first cook should be one hot dog on the edge for a funny scale shot.  (Borrowed from BBM on YouTube)
I watched and thoroughly enjoyed that video last night, thanks!  Yes the flip up grates are original.  The original Ranch grate had a GBS-style hole in the middle which I find intriguing.  It’s as if Weber envisioned the GBS system years before. 

Thanks for the kind words everybody. 
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: HoosierKettle on May 20, 2020, 07:00:09 AM
No way!!!  I saw the lid upright and wondered what was holding it. The slide aside is an amazing accessory. I don’t have one but it’s incredible it works on all sizes.

What about a Smokey joe?


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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Scott Zee on May 20, 2020, 08:40:56 AM
Fricking awesome. I'll never own one, just too darn big. But these are badass. GRATE add Charlie and high 5 for the WKC teamwork.

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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Darko on May 20, 2020, 09:27:22 AM
Congrats Charlie. That's an amazing score.
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: CatskillSmoker on May 20, 2020, 09:35:13 AM
Charlie, do you have a license to fly that thing? LMAO Congrats on landing her, she's a beauty.
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Neil_VT00 on May 20, 2020, 09:37:59 AM
Such a cool looking kettle! Congrats!


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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Kneab on May 20, 2020, 10:53:43 AM
Congrats on the Mothership Charlie.
I love the look of those. I wish that I had the space and could justify having one.

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Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: greenweb on May 20, 2020, 02:28:21 PM
Congrats! Looks so cool like a flying saucer in motion. Love the spin marks on the lid with 2 metal handles too.
Title: Re: Landing a Vintage Mothership
Post by: Jon Tofte on May 23, 2020, 11:16:53 AM
Awesome Charlie! You already have it looking happy in its new home. It was fun to help in a small way and to be its custodian for a stint. I got a lot of wide-eyed looks from people I brought over to my shop to see the “flying saucer” 🤣! We will all look forward to seeing more of that incredible monster.


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