Late 1960's 26'er Triangle Change from 3 to 4

[mhiszem]

I have been looking through the old Weber catalogs from 1964 - 1971. I noticed that the Aristocrat in the 1968 catalog it has a "3 triangle" and in the 1971 catalog it has a "4 triangle". Am I missing something or did they change it in the late 60's? I have always known the way to distinguish a 26'er is by the "4 triangle". Anyone know the history of this?

[harris92]

That is a mistake in the catalog.  26" always was 4.  Another BIG mistake in the catalog.  Did you know the Wishing Well was NEVER offered for sale to the public?  Only 1 Wishing Well was ever made and it was a prototype.  Weber jumped the gun and advertised it in their catalog for a short period of time (don't remember how many years off the top of my head).  Weber had to pull the ad and had egg on their face. 

[Craig]

Correct. That three triangle mistake dates back to the 1962 catalog when the black 26er was introduced. Weber didn't fix it until 1969 when Copper Mist "The Chief" replaced "The Westerner". Otherwise 26ers always had four spokes not three. Though a 22 triangle could fit an old 26er but it gives it the puckerbutt look you see in the 1960s era catalogs.

[Craig]

To add further confusion, the lid style on the old "pre 1969" 26ers were originally rounded and gradually transitioned to the flat top lids between 1965 and 1968. Meaning rounded, then kind of "in between" rounded and flat top then finally flat top with the twist on ash pan. 26er ash pans were Wood Dale era hold overs with the U cut-outs and the swivel clips until about 1967-68 or so.

[crowderjd]

@Craig...so this leads to a question I've had ever since I got my Wood Dale Fleetwood...It has a twist on ash pan...but it also has replacement wheels from the 70s or 80s.  Just curious, are we absolutely certain of when Weber switched the ash pans on the 26ers? 

[harris92]

Yes, the correct ash pan for your fleetwood is U cut outs with clips

@Craig...so this leads to a question I've had ever since I got my Wood Dale Fleetwood...It has a twist on ash pan...but it also has replacement wheels from the 70s or 80s.  Just curious, are we absolutely certain of when Weber switched the ash pans on the 26ers?

[crowderjd]

@harris92 I'll take you at your word!  Shoot...another thing on the list of "Ultra rare things to find..."

[Craig]

@harris92 I'll take you at your word!  Shoot...another thing on the list of "Ultra rare things to find..."

Harris is correct. And yes, more to keep an eye out for. Steel wheels and a U-clip ash pan.