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Author Topic: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find  (Read 1621 times)

KevinP

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1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« on: April 14, 2018, 08:18:55 AM »
Finally found the elusive vintage 26 at a local estate sale. I have been looking for the 26 for awhile.  Bonus is that it was $25.00. Score!! 

Anyone know how to reattach the wheel?   One of them is loose.   Still amazed at the difference between the 18 and the 26



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Rub

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2018, 08:22:51 AM »
Nice score and great price, congrats!
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KevinP

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2018, 08:29:36 AM »
Thanks Rub


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Kneab

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2018, 08:39:37 AM »
Congratulations on the Fleetwood. I'm glad that you ended up with it. I looked at it yesterday morning and was thinking about going back first thing this morning for the 50% off sale. It's nice that the cooking grate was in really nice shape and it had the original straight lip twist on ash pan too.

As far as the wheel goes, I thought it was just missing a hubcap.
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KevinP

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2018, 09:07:12 AM »
Thanks Kneab. Are the hubcaps different for the 26?  Where can you get them?


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addicted-to-smoke

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2018, 09:09:24 AM »
That's a grate two-tone look.

The modern kettle axle nut is a Weber #3622, https://www.amazon.com/Weber-3622-Hubcaps/dp/B00023CWSI but there are cheaper ways to buy them, especially in quantity or if you don't need black. (Hardware stores often sell them in white)

Here's a thread about them: http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/yes-another-thread-on-the-black-plastic-hubcap-pushnut-replacement/
It's the iconic symbol for the backyard. It's family/friends, food and fun. What more do you need to feel everything [is] going to be all right. As long as we can still have a BBQ in our backyard, the world seems a bit of a better place. At least for that moment. -reillyranch

Kneab

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2018, 09:09:30 AM »
Nope, the hubcaps are the same. Ace Hardware carries them but they are white, the black are the wrong size. But you can buy both, disassemble them and reassemble with the insides switched.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2018, 09:17:41 AM by Kneab »
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KevinP

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2018, 09:23:14 AM »
Thanks guys. I will look into that.


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Schaefd2

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2018, 09:29:50 AM »
Nice score man!! I’m surprised at how low the cooking grate is compared to the top of the bowl. Are all 26ers like that?


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KevinP

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2018, 10:18:29 AM »
Not sure. This is my first go at a 26.


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addicted-to-smoke

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #10 on: April 14, 2018, 10:34:59 AM »
No, only the flat tops. When the 26 was re-introduced for 2008 the lid took on the more "normal" dome shape and so, the grill grate height was raised. The charcoal grate was also raised, making both grates for flat top 26's different from today.

And the grates no longer made, which (in my opinion) is a contributing factor to flat top 26's (especially the later ones from the 1990s) often being cheaper to buy today.
It's the iconic symbol for the backyard. It's family/friends, food and fun. What more do you need to feel everything [is] going to be all right. As long as we can still have a BBQ in our backyard, the world seems a bit of a better place. At least for that moment. -reillyranch

pbe gummi bear

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #11 on: April 14, 2018, 10:41:51 AM »
No, only the flat tops. When the 26 was re-introduced for 2008 the lid took on the more "normal" dome shape and so, the grill grate height was raised. The charcoal grate was also raised, making both grates for flat top 26's different from today.

Hmmmm, great insight. I've never given much thought about why the grates were different.
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Craig

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2018, 11:44:10 AM »
That’s a great deal! I love the fade on that one!


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inkaddictedchef1

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2018, 12:26:22 PM »
A code on the vent puts this at a 79... still a beautiful Fleetwood. Awesome score

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RottiGuy

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Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2018, 12:27:39 PM »
Very nice!!