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  • Super User
Posted

Good question. I don’t know, but I will say my mfg in 1970 2052 is still smooth as silk and one of my favorite spinning reels. On a 5’ Cabela's Black Lightning ultralight rod, it had enough oomph to haul in this bass two weeks ago.


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It may not have been that high-end of a reel 50 years ago, but I love that reel!


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  • Like 3
Posted

Thanks.  Nice catch.  Beautiful markings on it.

 

Still want to know if there are others like these.

 

I just replaced the bearing in my 716Z because I found the old was making a loud almost scraping noise.  It still didn't feel rough but the bearing did catch a little when spinning it after cleaning.  Any way, lubed up and waiting for the next chance to get the 40 year old (?) out again.  Maybe a larger brother or cousin like yours would be nice.

my_Penn_716Z.thumb.jpg.96ebb7a807122804cf356d79ade3b96e.jpg

 

  • Like 1
  • Super User
Posted

That reel looks like it’s still in great shape. Hope you catch a big’un with it! 

Posted
On 5/22/2020 at 11:00 PM, BrianMDTX said:

Good question. I don’t know, but I will say my mfg in 1970 2052 is still smooth as silk and one of my favorite spinning reels. On a 5’ Cabela's Black Lightning ultralight rod, it had enough oomph to haul in this bass two weeks ago.


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It may not have been that high-end of a reel 50 years ago, but I love that reel!


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wish I still had mine

  • Super User
Posted

It certainly has no bells and whistles like todays reels. No skirted spool, no roller guide on the bail. Makes that old-timey year sound when you crank the handle. But still reliable and catches fish! 

  • Super User
Posted
39 minutes ago, Linewinder said:

I came across another bunch.  Zebco and Abu Garcia made the Cardinal series with the worm drives.

 

  

   I think ABU made the Cardinals and Zebco sold them in this country under their name. I could be wrong, though.    jj

  • Super User
Posted
11 hours ago, Linewinder said:

I came across another bunch.  Zebco and Abu Garcia made the Cardinal series with the worm drives.

 

 

10 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

  

   I think ABU made the Cardinals and Zebco sold them in this country under their name. I could be wrong, though.    jj

Originally, the Abu reels were sold under the Zebco name - Garcia was just the US distributor for Abu at that time. Later, Abu bought Garcia and changed their name to Abu-Garcia and started selling the Cardinals under the combined name. So you're both right.

  • Like 2
  • Super User
Posted
6 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

  

   I think ABU made the Cardinals and Zebco sold them in this country under their name. I could be wrong, though.    jj

Zebco made the 1st generation Cardnal spinning reels with rear drags in the 60's. Garcia Abu bought the Cardinal name brand from Zebco.

Tom

  • Super User
Posted
On 5/29/2020 at 8:27 PM, WRB said:

Zebco made the 1st generation Cardnal spinning reels with rear drags in the 60's. Garcia Abu bought the Cardinal name brand from Zebco.

Tom

Actually, because of a contract between Garcia and Mitchell, Abu had Zebco distributing the Cardinal reels until Abu bought Garcia and could release the Cardinals under the new name Abu-Garcia.

 

"In 1966 Lennart Borgstrom visited Zebco with two new reels, the Cardinals 66 and 77. Garcia was unable to distribute the reels because of contractual obligations with Mitchell. Mr. Borgstrom had obtained permission from Tom Lenk, president of Garcia, to find another distributor."

 

"The relationship between Zebco and ABU marked the first time that Zebco had ever sold a reel which they had not themselves made and for the company it was clearly a turning point. While quality had always been paramount it could be found in Sweden as well."

 

  • Thanks 1
  • Super User
Posted

My late 60's Zebco green Cardinal 4 reel was made by Abu with it's badge on the side plate. I thought Garcia already owned Abu with the Ambassador reels before Zebco sold the Cardinal spinning reels to Garcia. 

Tom

  • Super User
Posted
3 minutes ago, WRB said:

I thought Garcia already owned Abu with the Ambassador reels before Zebco sold the Cardinal spinning reels to Garcia. 

Nope - until Abu bought out their distributor, Garcia, in 1980, they were separate companies. Garcia had the contract with Mitchell for spinning reels - which is why Abu went to Zebco for the Cardinal. My old 320 was a "Garcia-Mitchell". Garcia had the Abu baitcaster distribution rights - but the contract with Mitchell kept them from distributing Abu spinners until the merger.

  • Like 1
  • Super User
Posted
On 5/29/2020 at 7:34 AM, frogflogger said:

wish I still had mine

Had a good day with that old Shakespeare today. Caught this one this morning:

 

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17-1/2” and 2.68 lbs. 

 

Went back this evening and caught this bass:

 

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Also 17-1/2”. 2.72 lbs. I love that reel! 

  • 2 weeks later...

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