Added an avocado MBH this morning

[OoPEZoO]

This particular grill had been listed on CL for a few weeks.  It started at $70, dropped to $45, then dropped to $25 obo.  At that point, I couldn't take it any longer.  I knew it had to be early 70's due to the pics (small tab on the lid vent, two rivet handle). It also looked to be complete with the original wheels and triangle. The only hangup was that one of the bowl handles had been broken off at some point.  So anyway, I finally made an appointment with the seller and headed up the road this morning. My original plan was to grab it, steal the triangle, wheels, legs, and ash pan for my yellow MBH.  Then pass the bowl on to someone else who wanted it.  Once I saw it and got the story behind it, I think I'm going to end up keeping it complete. First, the pics

Bowl and bottom vents in good shape (minus the missing handle)


Leg sockets are all solid and rust free on the inside


Inside of the bowl and grates are all in excellent condition.  It doesn't even need the oven cleaner/razor blade treatment.


Inside of the lid is also excellent


Outside of the lid is good except for a few battle scars around the lip and one nickel sized chip in the porcelain.


I'm happy with the handle.  The welds are still solid


Original plastic wheels with rubber treads are in excellent condition.


Now for the bummers
One of the bowl handles was broken off. Looking at the pattern, it seems like the lid damage was made at the same time. The seller figured it was damaged during one of their many moves.


Now for the other bummer and also the back story
Here is a close up of the lid vent. My first PAT PENDING kettle

I asked about why it was scratched and found out the history of the grill. It was her Dad's grill and was bought right after her parents got married (in the early 70's). He was in the military (hence all of the moving), and apparently felt the need to inscribe his name and social security number on everything he owned. The seller didn't like the idea of selling it with the number on it, so she used an engraver to scratch it all out. It's a damn shame, but I could understand her reasoning.  She seemed happy that it was going to have a good home.

All in all, it's it damn good shape and will make an excellent addition to the family. The twist pan is also in good shape. This is the first time I've touched one this old. I can't believe any of them survived considering how thin and flexible the twist tabs are.   It looks a little cockeyed in the pic below, but it is resting level and should just need a little steel wool to get it looking great again.  I guess the best part is that it's cool enough to keep, but not so nice that I would feel bad about cooking in it.  It will get added into the rotation and used regularly. Hanging out with my yellow MBH

[Weber MD]

Very cool.

[dwnthehatch]

Nice! I'm glad you picked it up!

[Craig]

Awesome pickup! Those scratches on the lid vent with the backstory make it all the more special. That's also one of the cleanest kettles I've seen picked up from a CL ad. Congrats!

[landgraftj]

Glad to see someone finally grabbed this one!

[Peaspurple]

Glad you got it and glad it stayed in the WKC.

[SixZeroFour]

Beauty! Very nice addition Pez!

[mike.stavlund]

Nice one, and a great story!

[Bman]

Glad to see someone finally grabbed this one!

This!  Nice score.

[Idahawk]

Glad you grabbed that one , it needed a good home


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[jcnaz]

Nice 'cado!

[1911Ron]

Very nice, great score!

[blackdog043]

Im glad somebody finally grabbed this one, it's in good shape overall.

[wyd]

Awesome.  Your pics look great of it.  Glad it has a nice new home.

[Tim in PA]

Glad you got one. I'm kicking myself for not going for it.