Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: dwnthehatch on May 24, 2015, 07:23:06 PM

Title: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: dwnthehatch on May 24, 2015, 07:23:06 PM
I came across this grill on Craigslist 14 hours after it was posted and figured I had little chance of getting it. Luckily it's a holiday weekend and I was able to contact the seller to make arrangements to pick it up. I told him I could be there in less than 2 hours.  I drove to my mother's house to pick up my trailer and made the 1.5 hour drive to pick it up. It's badly weathered but I couldn't pass it up. You rarely see these in this area. The family has owned it since new and have made repairs when needed. It's going to be a lot of work getting it in shape but I'm up for a challenge.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_20150524_165255762_HDR_zpsz5t4okey.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_20150524_170401816_zpszfvpymvh.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_20150524_165941452_HDR_zpsrygntep7.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_20150524_165935577_zpszyvxhyyd.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_20150524_170514639_zpsb6usiufv.jpg)
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: 1buckie on May 24, 2015, 07:32:00 PM
Welcome to the Avacado Wooden Perfomer's Club !!!!!!


Looks like all the parts are there.....ash pan & ring would be a near impossible find after the fact.....

How's the kettle, other than dirt ?
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: pbe gummi bear on May 24, 2015, 07:56:56 PM
Great "barn find." Do you envision an intensive restoration a al HankB's epic Sequioa? Was the price right?
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: Winz on May 24, 2015, 08:14:06 PM
Awesome rescue!  Looking forward to many "restore" photos along the way.
Winz
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: 1911Ron on May 24, 2015, 08:26:43 PM
Looks to be in pretty good shape, congrats!
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: mike.stavlund on May 24, 2015, 08:32:01 PM
Great work, Troy!  I was gonna PM you about this today, but then I realized you must already be on it.  Can't wait to see your restoration. 
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: SixZeroFour on May 24, 2015, 10:18:59 PM
What a sweet grill - that's going to be a very fun restore project! Congrats Troy!
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: Troy on May 24, 2015, 11:57:06 PM
That's killer.  I can't wait to see the restoration process.  Blog it for wkc?
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: charred on May 25, 2015, 04:22:54 AM
That's a treasure!
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: dwnthehatch on May 25, 2015, 04:28:57 AM
Quote from: 1buckie on May 24, 2015, 07:32:00 PM
Welcome to the Avacado Wooden Perfomer's Club !!!!!!


Looks like all the parts are there.....ash pan & ring would be a near impossible find after the fact.....

How's the kettle, other than dirt ?

Thanks. It needs a lot of work. The lid handle is completely gone. There's some chipping and dings around the lid. One of the charcoal/cooking grate straps is rusted out causing a nickel sized hole in the bowl. There are no bottom vents. I'll know more when I get a chance to give it a bath.


Quote from: pbe gummi bear on May 24, 2015, 07:56:56 PM
Great "barn find." Do you envision an intensive restoration a al HankB's epic Sequioa? Was the price right?

Thanks, I plan on fully restoring it. I'm a little worried about the hole in the bowl though. The seller was asking $150. I negotiated it down to $100.

Quote from: Winz on May 24, 2015, 08:14:06 PM
Awesome rescue!  Looking forward to many "restore" photos along the way.
Winz

Thanks, The cabinet is pretty wobbly. It has drywall screws holding it together in several places. I'm not sure if the hinges, door handles and wheels are original.

Quote from: 1911Ron on May 24, 2015, 08:26:43 PM
Looks to be in pretty good shape, congrats!

Thanks, the pictures are deceiving. The cabinet needs loads of repairs. It has decent bones though.

Quote from: mike.stavlund on May 24, 2015, 08:32:01 PM
Great work, Troy!  I was gonna PM you about this today, but then I realized you must already be on it.  Can't wait to see your restoration.

Thanks Mike.

Quote from: SixZeroFour on May 24, 2015, 10:18:59 PM
What a sweet grill - that's going to be a very fun restore project! Congrats Troy!

Thank you, here I am trying to make room in my garage and this pops up. I guess it's a lost cause.

Quote from: Troy on May 24, 2015, 11:57:06 PM
That's killer.  I can't wait to see the restoration process.  Blog it for wkc?

Thanks, I can do that as long as you have a good spell/grammar checker. lol.
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: glrasmussen on May 25, 2015, 04:57:00 AM
Nice score! Give it the RRR!
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: Nate on May 25, 2015, 05:11:32 AM
That's AWSOME! And for $100...WOW!!! Post a lot of resto pics.
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: GregS on May 25, 2015, 06:07:56 AM
very nice pick up, congrats!
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: 1buckie on May 25, 2015, 06:22:14 AM
The wheels appear to be correct, just that the whitewalls are gone...........

(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/1st%202013%20chicken/Bad%20Habits%20-%20Semi%20-%20Grails/BadHabitsampSemi-Grails011.jpg)

i don't think they came with a handle.....

(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/1st%202013%20chicken/Bad%20Habits%20-%20Semi%20-%20Grails/BadHabitsampSemi-Grails014.jpg)

Not sure if it'll go like Hank's where you pull the whole thing apart, but if it shores up decently, then these little angle clips do great for stabilizing the frame.....

(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/Cookers%202012/new%20cookers%202013/Hank8-1-2013003.jpg)

(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/Cookers%202012/new%20cookers%202013/Hank8-1-2013002.jpg)

(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/Cookers%202012/new%20cookers%202013/Hank8-1-2013004.jpg)

Great pick, man......not a whole lot of these around !!!!!!

Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: Jammato on May 25, 2015, 10:11:06 AM
that looks great, and in Avocado, that is killer

great scoop. I am jealous
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: WNC on May 25, 2015, 02:25:49 PM
Can't wait to see the clean up!
Great find!
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: Uncle JJ on May 26, 2015, 06:34:15 AM
Sweet score!  Take your time, and have fun restoring this beauty.  It has tons of potential!
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: dwnthehatch on May 26, 2015, 10:29:44 AM
Quote from: 1buckie on May 25, 2015, 06:22:14 AM
The wheels appear to be correct, just that the whitewalls are gone...........

(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/1st%202013%20chicken/Bad%20Habits%20-%20Semi%20-%20Grails/BadHabitsampSemi-Grails011.jpg)


The wheels on mine are plastic with a faded whitewall. They are held on by bolts/washers and a cotter pin instead of an axle and caps. I'll get a pic when I can get to my storage area.
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: Craig on May 26, 2015, 10:34:18 AM
That's an awesome rescue! Can't wait to see it come back to life.
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: 1buckie on May 26, 2015, 11:03:16 AM
Quote from: dwnthehatch on May 26, 2015, 10:29:44 AM
Quote from: 1buckie on May 25, 2015, 06:22:14 AM
The wheels appear to be correct, just that the whitewalls are gone...........

(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/1st%202013%20chicken/Bad%20Habits%20-%20Semi%20-%20Grails/BadHabitsampSemi-Grails011.jpg)


The wheels on mine are plastic with a faded whitewall. They are held on by bolts/washers and a cotter pin instead of an axle and caps. I'll get a pic when I can get to my storage area.

Still possible it's an original.....I think this is when they were changing stuff around on models, so let's get a look at it when you get the time.....
It's been captured....there's time now....... 8)
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: dwnthehatch on May 27, 2015, 06:59:40 AM
I stopped by on my way to work this morning to snap some pics.

Knobs - may be original. I see no holes for the strap style handles I see on the other sequoias.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_20150527_083114577_zps9xzgrvyc.jpg)

Hinges:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_20150527_083129243_zpsmnzlzd6d.jpg)

Wheels
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_20150527_083151285_zpsgpvyoact.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_20150527_083155491_zpsuxts9jrh.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_20150527_083201953_HDR_zpsejlhmaln.jpg)
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: Peaspurple on May 28, 2015, 05:35:19 PM
Man. Where did you find that. I haven't been on CL for a bit. That's sweet.
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: 1buckie on May 28, 2015, 05:45:14 PM
I'm going to guess here.....the knobs might be, the hinges are not based on the  chipped out areas around them & the wheels might actually be original, based on the way they are heavily plugged in.....

They kept changing certain things on all kinds of models, sometimes for a reason, sometimes with little rhyme or reason (at least from where I sit) & so some of this could possibly be stock.....are you still able to connect with the people & ask them what they remember about the fix-its?
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: dwnthehatch on May 29, 2015, 04:49:22 AM
Quote from: Peaspurple on May 28, 2015, 05:35:19 PM
Man. Where did you find that. I haven't been on CL for a bit. That's sweet.

Thanks, it was near Glen Echo Park. Very nice old established area. I bet there are tons of old Webers in the hills there.
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: dwnthehatch on May 29, 2015, 04:51:40 AM
Quote from: 1buckie on May 28, 2015, 05:45:14 PM
I'm going to guess here.....the knobs might be, the hinges are not based on the  chipped out areas around them & the wheels might actually be original, based on the way they are heavily plugged in.....

They kept changing certain things on all kinds of models, sometimes for a reason, sometimes with little rhyme or reason (at least from where I sit) & so some of this could possibly be stock.....are you still able to connect with the people & ask them what they remember about the fix-its?

I still have his number. Judging the look of the house, I believe he may have been liquidating the estate of his parents. He called his sister to ask permission to sell it at my offering price. I'll reach out to him.
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: dwnthehatch on May 29, 2015, 06:20:17 AM
I did a quick mini clean-up on the way home from work yesterday to see what I'm working with. The bowl has a few holes but nothing a happy cooker internal ash pan wont fix. Mine looks to be made of pine instead of redwood.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3306_zpsmniqr0xb.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3307_zpsb8vkolhr.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3308_zps3jab9hle.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3309_zpsnrfrjefv.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3310_zpsg8xt5qzj.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3314_zpsl3pggh1f.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3315_zpsghqo4ern.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3316_zps965atufl.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3317_zpsbjqbwmxt.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3318_zpswpyr14bx.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3319_zps4jrgyiwp.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3320_zpsr2n9h7jx.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3321_zpspsemgvyl.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3322_zps5g8logen.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3323_zpsf8h7ultw.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3324_zpsczy3jdy0.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/dwnthehatch/WKC/IMG_3325_zpshxkqwuds.jpg)

Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: SixZeroFour on May 29, 2015, 06:46:46 AM
The pressure wash alone did wonders for the cart! Great job so far!
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: 1buckie on May 29, 2015, 07:29:51 AM
OK.....THIS needs to be your tagline !!!!

"The bowl has a few holes but nothing a Happy Cooker internal ash pan wont fix."

Seems actually pretty dang good.....some chips & rusting, but all in all, really not too far along like some that have been resurrected !!!!


PS: Those wheels look more Weberish all the time......... 8);
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: dwnthehatch on June 01, 2015, 11:30:21 AM
Quote from: 1buckie on May 26, 2015, 11:03:16 AM
Quote from: dwnthehatch on May 26, 2015, 10:29:44 AM
Quote from: 1buckie on May 25, 2015, 06:22:14 AM
The wheels appear to be correct, just that the whitewalls are gone...........

(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/1st%202013%20chicken/Bad%20Habits%20-%20Semi%20-%20Grails/BadHabitsampSemi-Grails011.jpg)


The wheels on mine are plastic with a faded whitewall. They are held on by bolts/washers and a cotter pin instead of an axle and caps. I'll get a pic when I can get to my storage area.

Still possible it's an original.....I think this is when they were changing stuff around on models, so let's get a look at it when you get the time.....
It's been captured....there's time now....... 8)


Looks like this has similar wheels. At least the tread looks the same.

(http://pictures.estatesales.net/889506/20630881/1.jpg)
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: 1buckie on June 01, 2015, 11:33:24 AM
Yes, that is where I've seen them before.....check out the Westerners & some of the general age 26'ers
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: harris92 on June 01, 2015, 11:38:43 AM
@dwnthehatch

You have authentic Patent Pending Wheels.    This is a pic of a wheel from my Patent Pending Chief.  The wheels on my Chief are original. 
The wheels on your Seqouia appear to be an exact match.

(http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a553/slieberman92/IMG_3175_zpsg6wo9xvh.jpg) (http://s1283.photobucket.com/user/slieberman92/media/IMG_3175_zpsg6wo9xvh.jpg.html)
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: dwnthehatch on June 01, 2015, 11:40:22 AM
Quote from: harris92 on June 01, 2015, 11:38:43 AM
@dwnthehatch

You have authentic Patent Pending Wheels.    This is a pic of a wheel from my Patent Pending Chief.  The wheels on my Chief are original. 
The wheels on your Seqouia appear to be an exact match.
[/URL]

Great news! Thank you.
Title: Re: New project.... Avocado Imperial Sequoia
Post by: wyd on June 02, 2015, 10:17:12 AM
Wow that little clean up on it really brought it to life.