It is always nice to keep things original but with the Simpson kettle,I opt to differ. If I got it just like that, I would put nice 2 screw Zav's wooden handles ( need to drill 2 small holes per handle) , take off the ash bucket ring and put ask pan/disk, clean up the triangle and put new wheels. Sort of reminiscent of 60's Ambassador. I might even sand off the simpson pic on the lid and try buffing back the color or leave it as is.
So, your suggestion is to take a collectable kettle and turn it into something completely worthless?
I know many people will disagree, but to me, the Simpson kettle is too new to be a collectable unlike few of your latest scores. Again, to me, they are more closer to any beer logo kettles than any collectable 50,60, or 70's kettles.
With faded handles and missing ash bucket, I suggested what I would do as an alternative option. Actually, if I get one of these and I have seen it as low as $20 in the past, I would definitely do what I mentioned. The soft yellow color is so close to the 60's Ambassador, I think it will look so cool with logo and those blue handle delete and nice wooden handles. Again this is just me. You do not have to agree. I certainly don't agree with your statement about being turning it into something worthless if you do something you like or creative.
For the record, I will not touch oldie kettles, but anything newer are different story.