ZEBCO CARDINAL 4 REPLACEMENT SPOOL FULL

Middle- second version with larger round flatter type push button circa approx late 1974 to 1976 Here is a pic of the different spools that were made by ABU for Zebcoį rom left to right left is the first version with small nipple type push button circa 1967 to 1974 The following ABU Cardinal reels were sold by ZEBCO in the U.S. Note that like the spools all of the handle knobs are interchangeable on all reels. Right- large rectangular used on the 6x and 7x circa 1977 to 1983 Middle- large torpedo type introduced in 1970 for the model 7 later used on both 6 and 7 Left - small trapezoidal type circa 1967 to approx 1976 Here is a pic of the diff handle knobs for the 6-7-6x and 7x. While quality had always been paramount it could be found in Sweden as well.īen's Contribution An interesting example of marketing the Zebco Cardinals was the production of the Salesman samples with their clear sideplates to show off the beautiful aimple and effective mechanism inside. 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. By the early 1980s the line was phased out and Zebco no longer distributed ABU reels. Their internal documentation regards the Cardinals as “Our flagship line”. The quality of the Cardinal reels was such that when Zebco decided to come out with a line of spinning reels in the mid ‘70s (the 900 series) it was aimed at the mid-level market. By the time the badge was changed Zebco had already had the benefit of the association. Tom Lenk was offended by this and so, to ease friction between ABU and Garcia, the badge was changed to say “ZEBCO CARDINAL.

ZEBCO CARDINAL 4 REPLACEMENT SPOOL FULL

The first reels had the “ABU-SVANGSTA” badge replaced with one that said “ZEBCO BY ABU” which took full advantage of the fine marketing work that Garcia had done over the years with the other ABU products. Also, the company’s line of spinning reels (acquired from Langley) was clearly not as high quality as the Cardinals. While Zebco had always made a quality product, they had great difficulty overcoming the attitude of fishing professionals that these were not reels for the serious fisherman. Borgstrom had obtained permission from Tom Lenk, president of Garcia, to find another distributor.įor Zebco this was a golden opportunity. Garcia was unable to distribute the reels because of contractual obligations with Mitchell. In 1966 Lennart Borgstrom visited Zebco with two new reels, the Cardinals 66 and 77. The people of both companies remained good friends over the years and the Garcia company became exclusive distributor of the Ambassadeur as well as their Mitchell spinning reels made by the Carpano Pons Co. Urfabriken needed a distributor in north america and offered this to Zebco which had to decline because they were so involved in getting their own product off the ground. They compared their products in private, the Ambassadeur 5000 and the Zebco model 33 both of which are still in production more than fifty years later. Hull, the inventor of the spin-casting reel, went to the AFTMA (American Fishing Tackle Manufacturing Association) show in Chicago and met Gote and Lennart Borgstrom who were also attending for the first time. Lafferty who joined the company as eastern sales manager. to James Donoghue of Denver Colorado and George Sumers of New York. Urfabriken and the other was the sale of the Zero Hour Bomb Co. One was the introduction of the Ambassadeur 5000 by A.B.

I think the relationship first started in 1952 with two events.

He has also given me a copy of the ORCA article by Col Milt Lorens outlined the existence of the Zebco Cardinal 5. Many thanks my friend! Now these can be shared with all who are interested. They are a beautiful Zebco Cardinal 3, 4, 7 the full set of tan Cardinal 554, 555 and 557 spinning reels as well as some associated spares. I have secured mine!Ĭlinton has recently gifted to me many items of Zebco nature, which I feel so fortunate to now be able to share with you here.

Buy his book personally from him at Ben Wright ] before the last 39 of 500 total print run disappear forever. Very shortly we will have access to much more information (both text and pictures) with respect to the ABU/Garcia/Zebco relationship in the USA. I have been fortunate enough to have been taken under the wing of both Clinton Beeler above as well as noted USA spinning reel expert and much aclaimed author of 'The Wright Guide for the Reel Man' Ben Wright ! I don't think he intends to change of his book from 'reel' to 'real' in his next edition of the book. Mr Clinton Beeler is bringing me up to speed on this interesting expansion to ABU's products in the USA. ABU's obvious build quality led to the development of symbiotic relationships in other countries, one of which I'm just beginning to learn about now, ie Zebco in the USA.

Zebco cardinal 4 replacement spool