Looks like they were made in 74-75. Were they good reels? Any idea what one in pretty good condition would sell for?
Question really should be What about the entire 77-97 series? Thanks in advance.
Those series' were from '72 - '76 and were considered Dam's econo series reels. Not real collectible for display or use. In today's market, $20 to possibly $30 in great condition, depending on which model and if it has its box.
Thanks Tommy. That's what I thought. Have you seen the innards on this series reels? Good metal? Zinc-crap?
The cheapness of these has always turned me off — plastic sideplates, plastic rotors, chintzy drive system, etc...
There were a few like the 79's — 91, 92, 101, 103, etc..all kind of cheaply constructed.
Best,
Fred
Thanks Fred. I am continually amazed at the knowledge and willingness to share that knowledge on this board!
More than one of the name reel manufacturers got in the "econo" mode in that early-mid '70s time period. Mitchell (the manufacturer), reluctantly at the urging of Garcia (the marketer), came out with the 320, which was the 1st "decent" reel I ever had. I would not call it cheap, but it obviously was less expensive to make than many of their other reels and less expensive to buy too, which was a motivator for a penurious college kid like me. Plastic rotor, side plate, spool and oscillation slider; ambivalently made A/R; and felt disk drag. Metal body, bail arms and drive gears. Somehow, I still have that reel and maybe more surprising, nothing on it ever broke (even the bail spring is original) and the only part I ever replaced was the line guide. Caught a lot of fish with it, and some nice ones at that. Can't say I recall ever losing a fish because of the reel.
Frank
The innards of that DAM Quick 79 remind me of the econo South Bend 730 I've had a couple of.