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Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: KevinP on April 14, 2018, 08:18:55 AM

Title: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: KevinP 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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Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: Rub on April 14, 2018, 08:22:51 AM
Nice score and great price, congrats!
Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: KevinP on April 14, 2018, 08:29:36 AM
Thanks Rub


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Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: Kneab 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.
Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: KevinP 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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Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: addicted-to-smoke 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/
Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: Kneab 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.
Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: KevinP on April 14, 2018, 09:23:14 AM
Thanks guys. I will look into that.


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Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: Schaefd2 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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Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: KevinP on April 14, 2018, 10:18:29 AM
Not sure. This is my first go at a 26.


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Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: addicted-to-smoke 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.
Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: pbe gummi bear on April 14, 2018, 10:41:51 AM
Quote from: addicted-to-smoke 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.

Hmmmm, great insight. I've never given much thought about why the grates were different.
Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: Craig on April 14, 2018, 11:44:10 AM
That's a great deal! I love the fade on that one!


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Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: inkaddictedchef1 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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Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: RottiGuy on April 14, 2018, 12:27:39 PM
Very nice!!
Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: KevinP on April 14, 2018, 03:43:30 PM
Inkaddictedchef1, you are right. I completely missed the A code on the lid vent.  Not trying to misrepresent


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Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: Scott Zee on April 14, 2018, 04:59:35 PM
Excellent pickup Kevin. Your gonna love that grill. My flattop is an A code too. It's a great smoker

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Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: CatskillSmoker on April 14, 2018, 05:37:38 PM
Sweet score for a GRATE price. Enjoy cooking on her.
Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: PotsieWeber on April 14, 2018, 05:56:03 PM
NICE!
Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: KevinP on April 14, 2018, 06:30:59 PM
@ScottZee, thanks. When smoking on it do you use the snake method?  How do you set the bottom vents to control heat.

Catskill and Potsie, thanks


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Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: Bob BQ on April 14, 2018, 07:16:38 PM
Quote from: addicted-to-smoke 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.

I believe that the first couple-few years of the 26 had a domed lid and the lower grates, THEN Weber went to the flat top lid. Professor @Craig  Professor @zavod44  can you schoolbus on the history of the 26 lid shape?


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Title: Re: 1978 Fleetwood Estate Sale Find
Post by: addicted-to-smoke on April 15, 2018, 11:50:22 AM
Oh OK. That vaguely rings a bell. Maybe I've not seen one.