Of Ole Skool and Thanksgiving

[Aiala]

Thor, the 488 is a beauty! Just FYI, I found some interesting info about that model:

"Garcia Mitchell 488. First introduced in the late sixties. Featured the highest capacity spool (400 yards of 20 lb) of any Mitchell Spinning Reel up until that time. Marine Bronze High Speed gearing, Stainless Steel bearings, Cold rolled Stainless Steel bail with Tungsten Carbide Roller, Oilite Bushings and friction disk made of Ferodo race car brake material were some of it's features. The 488, 486 and 396 were advertised as --are you ready for this?-- 'Completely Saltwater Corrosion Proof!' It's retrieve ratio was 4.15:1.

1974 was the first year that this model (with the nipple projection on the round relief on the side plate) showed up in a Mitchell catalog. Actually, this reel was first produced in 1970. Note the raised relief on the handle side plate. The relief is used to house the main gear and anti-reverse. As you can see in the pics, it has a nipple protruding from the relief at about 2 o'clock. it is not perfectly round as it would be on the 1969 model. Models starting in 1970 all had the nipple. This was done to make room for a 6mm anti-reverse clicker which replaced the 5mm one that was originally used."

Also, links to 488 schematics and photos:  http://mitchellreelmuseum.com/index.php/category/389/ http://mitchellreelmuseum.com/index.php/category/503

Gotta LOVE those vintage Mitchells! 

~A~

[thorhammer]

Nice bit of history! As stated at the top, these babies can really eat line with the high speed and huge spool. I think only a pyrex glass reel is totally corrosion proof. The later ones were black with the line capacities indicated on the rotor, and I would love to have one, but I really like the blue as it's unusual in the reel world.

Thor 

[Aiala]

Got an extra thou to spend? Check out this rarity:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-GARCIA-MITCHELL-408-DL-/262167963798?hash=item3d0a6da896:g:whQAAOSwLqFV9gnl      

~A~

[thorhammer]

Pretty! But if I'm in for a large the motor better handle giant BFT,  130 INT territory there. My shelf queens are just old, not valuable