Just found this, in what was the cheap version of the Cardinal 54, the Cardinal 154. The reels are
the most rust resistant I have ever seen. This one served the owner for 30 years of inshore fishing.
This reel is stil as smooth and soft as when it was new,
(http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/7060/dsc0346.png)
30 years old bearing, the grease is still in god condition
(http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/363/dsc0350.png)
Worm gear and AR cut in one piece of stainless steel!!
In this case, the motto " ABU garcia for life" makes perfect sence.
The next versions of the Cardinals the 700 series, was outsorced, and marked the downfall of the ABU spinning reels.
Thanks for sharing. Abu has made some good reels back in the day. I purchased a orra last year and was not impressed. But the old red 5000s are hard to break, actually almost all the old round style baitcasters were hard to demolish.
I had a 54 and a 55. Rear drag control and push button snap on spools. Very reliable reels!