1997 EI-code Red Fade Performer

[56MPG]

Picked this up in DC off Craigslist. It was posted here, and I was lucky to have time to meet the couple selling it. They bought it new sometime after 1997 as they recall, and used it once to try cooking a turkey and a steak. The Turkey was done in a roasting pan. They may have used only the gas assist as a heat source as there is zero evidence of charcoal being used, and the storage bin was half-full of lump - they were not quite sure what that stuff was. Not successful, and they cleaned it up and put it in the basement, where it sat until yesterday. The tank is still full of gas. The guy was a WWII vet, and we shared some stories. He worked for Honeywell in the 60's (I worked there in the early 80's) and was assigned to inertial navigation systems for the SR71 Blackbird. Real aviation buff, so of couse my Boeing job sparked a good conversation. His wife is German, (my ancestors are German) grew up in Passau near the Austrian border. She said they could walk there from her home. Really nice couple. Might have to name this one Marianne after her. Paid them a fair price (well I did the deal with her - she ruled that roost for sure) and made my way home.

To this day, I have never seen a more beautifully preserved Performer. Every nut and bolt is pristine. Not a single mark to the porcelain anywhere. Really nice red fade. Grates are perfect. Original wire baskets mint. Original cover flawless. (She washed it before I got there.) I did not do one thing to it before these pics. Amazing! Not sure I'll ever cook on this one, but so what? It's a keeper, unless Weber offers me a SGC for it. Even then, maybe not...

Anyone coming to the Meetup on the 8th will get to perve this as much as they like. For the rest of you, meet Marianne:

[LiquidOcelot]

holy shit!!

[kettlebb]

Perfect.


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[Neil_VT00]

Wow, so purdy. Glad you were able to get it!


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[SteveZ]

Beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Madpap]

Man that is perfect. Excellent score!


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[Mr.CPHo]

Holy crap that is nice.


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[brewtownbeatdown]

Wow, just wow!!!!!!!!!


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[JEBIV]

Words could not even begin to describe that beauty !!

[bmcneely51]

That is some cool shit right there!!! Damn!

[56MPG]

Oh, and it came with the brass re-fill adapter. Started right up on the first click.



Even though the tank says it has the OPD device, I'm not sure it can be recertified. I'll take it to my local place and ask. No big deal if not, it may never get used.

[Bertman]

Wow! That's the fountain of youth!


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[MikeRocksTheRed]

Hell yeah!!!! I'm glad this one is in good hands!!!  In fact Weber might be interested in it!  I sent the link to a friend in DC but it was too expensive for his taste.  Which I understand since he isn't a collector but would probably feel like it shouldn't be cooked on.


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[Foster Dahlet]

That thing is awesome.  I'd cook on it without hesitation. 

[Playdough]

That's like that 85 Iroc Camaro that was found the semi trailer with all the shipping plastics, covers everything and 5 miles on it. That is perfect. Glad it found it's way into the hands of someone who will appreciate what that really is. Wow.