History of the 18.5

[Winz]

Do we have the timeline of the 18.5 documented here?  What was the first year of production, etc.

Winz


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[Craig]

Unknown for sure when they were first made. SPECULATION points to 1956 when the 22 kettle was redesigned to its more familiar dome lid shape.

[Winz]

Thanks for the reply Craig. 

Were the 18.5s always like the 22.5s for each year (e.g. same colors, same handle, ash ring, wheels, etc) or are there specific models of the 18.5 that are unique?

Weber dropped the 18.5 OTG at some point, while the 22.5 OTG is still available.  I am interested to know if there are other deviations from the 22.5 lineup and when they occurred - this would be good information to archive.

Winz

[1911Ron]

Another question, have the 18.5 OTG come with one bowl handle or have they always had two?

[Craig]

The Goldie's (18 & 22) should have 2 bowl handles. The 22 MTs and 26"er golds... 1 bowl handle. I want to say the 18 golds came out in 2000-01 and disco'd at the end of '11..

[MaxBobcat]

The Goldie's (18 & 22) should have 2 bowl handles. The 22 MTs and 26"er golds... 1 bowl handle. I want to say the 18 golds came out in 2000-01 and disco'd at the end of '11..

We've GOT to make a wiki for this type of stuff.

[Craig]

Another note of interest, 18's were available in dark green for 1978-1979 then they were gone in 1980 but came back off and on in the '90s and '00s....

[Englaender]

Another note of interest, 18's were available in dark green for 1978-1979 then they were gone in 1980 but came back off and on in the '90s and '00s....

My 18.5 is a C-Code, so built in 1981.