Crack 300

Started by Alto Mare, November 13, 2017, 10:17:25 PM

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Penn Chronology

#30
Great reels. I only have two in my collection. A new in the box Number 3 "B" model and a late used but completely original Crack 300 (same size as the No. 3), many were modified to MPU by cutting the bail off. These reels were the kings of the surf casters in the 1950's to late 1960's. None better until Penn came along.

Rumor says these are the reels that the modern Van Stall's are modeled after.

Alto Mare

Mike, you post these a while back, but I just happen to notice them.
Beautiful reels and thanks for the information. It does resemble the Van Stall, I could see it.

Thanks Mike!
Sal
Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.

Reels_penn4life

These reels are my favorite. I have 10 of the large ones alone. All different releases. Van staal was modeled after them. It was the van staal if it's day here in the north east. Along with the PENN 706. Guys would drill them for drainage. That's where customizing and the slots and holes on the van staal came from. Years of the old timers just making their reels perform better on the surf. My profile pic is one I customized. You can pull a car with them. I put a penn 706 line roller on them. Also the penn 704 pum kit fits. Lots of stuff you can do. I love that drag up grade. I've just swapped in ht100. But making it a 5washer stack is genius.
Doug O

oc1

#33
Quote from: Reels_penn4life on August 14, 2019, 02:42:36 PM
Van staal was modeled after them. It was the van staal if it's day here in the north east. Along with the PENN 706. Guys would drill them for drainage. That's where customizing and the slots and holes on the van staal came from. Years of the old timers just making their reels perform better on the surf.
and
Quote from: Penn Chronology on December 21, 2017, 09:01:33 PMRumor says these are the reels that the modern Van Stall's are modeled after.
Mike and Doug, that's an interesting bit of reel trivia about the Van Staal connection. Thank you gentlemen.
-steve

Penn Chronology

#34
I forgot I posted this. I always loved the Crack 300. When I was a kid I remember reading about them in the fishing reports. They were the Van Staal of the 1950's and 60's. all the surf casting swimmers at Montauk Point used them exclusively in the late 50's. Most definitely a Bullet Proof gearbox.

This is more of a collectible today but some of the crew on the Vintage Penn Reels, Facebook page still fish with them. Just cannot kill them.

I was surprised to learn that these reels were made from 1940 to 1999. The Crack 300 was made from 1968 to 1979. After that the company was sold and kept changing hands until 1999 when the last Crack's were made. There were five versions of the Luxor models made between 1940 and 1968, Very interesting history.

oc1

Quote from: Penn Chronology on August 18, 2019, 02:28:50 AM
I forgot I posted this. I always loved the Crack 300. When I was a kid I remember reading about them in the fishing reports. They were the Van Staal of the 1950's and 60's. all the surf casting swimmers at Montauk Point used them exclusively in the late 50's. Most definitely a Bullet Proof gearbox.

This is more of a collectible today but some of the crew on the Vintage Penn Reels, Facebook page still fish with them. Just cannot kill them.

I was surprised to learn that these reels were made from 1940 to 1999. The Crack 300 was made from 1968 to 1979. After that the company was sold and kept changing hands until 1999 when the last Crack's were made. There were five versions of the Luxor models made between 1940 and 1968, Very interesting history.

Mike, did the Spinfishers have anything to do with the decline of the Crack.... or did they both decline together, or were they both popular simultaneously?
-steve

Penn Chronology

#36
QuoteMike, did the Spinfishers have anything to do with the decline of the Crack.... or did they both decline together, or were they both popular simultaneously?
-steve

The answer to your question is, Yes and No. The Luxor spinning reels pre-date Penn Spinning reels by 25 years, so Luxor was around and very successful before Penn spinning reels and also during the time of Penn spinning reels. I feel Luxor / Crack reels were a higher end reels than Penn, their market share was very different. The Luxor reels did not decline because of quality. In my opinion what ended Luxor was old age and simple obsolescence. The original company stopped producing them and sold the brand rights and parts to another company in 1978, from that point on, production was dependent on a parts warehouse that changed hands every time Luxor / Crack did. Over the years of 1978 to 1999 the right to the Luxor / Crack Models 100. 200 & 300 changed hands at least three times and each company that bought the Crack brand and parts handled the selling of their reels and parts in different ways. In the final years of Luxor / Crack reels, the last two companies that owned them even tried to start manufacturing parts and reels again but their days were over. They became obsolete.

According to many people, the Luxor / Crack Models 100, 200 & 300 line of reels was made longer than any other spinning reel single model (over 60 years). During that time, very little change was made to the original design.


Alto Mare

#37
Thank you Mike for the great information on these and also to you Steve for helping flushing it out with your questions :).

According to many people, the Luxor / Crack Models 100, 200 & 300 line of reels was made longer than any other spinning reel single model (over 60 years). During that time, very little change was made to the original design.

Why fix something that it isn't broke. :)
I did feel that the upgrade I did at the very first page on this discussion was a good one though.

The 300 is still keeping its value after so many years, some are going for over $100 still.

Thank you guys!

Sal
Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.

oc1

#38
Quote from: Penn Chronology on August 18, 2019, 07:47:22 AM
I feel Luxor / Crack reels were a higher end reels than Penn, their market share was very different.

That says it all.  Thanks.

Luckily I was able to snag one cheap before the price went up again.

-steve

Alto Mare

Not a Penn, but I just spotted this beauty on Vintage Penn Reels



I think he did a great custom job on that Luxor.

Sal
Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.

Midway Tommy

#40
Had this Saumon Mer Seven Seas NR-3-LA big boy from around '57 sitting in a tote for the last 10 years. Never opened it up. You guys stoked my curiosity  so I figured I might as well take a peak.  ::) It works great but needs some serious TLC.  ;) I'll get to it one of these winters.   :)






Here it is with the mini Van Stall.  :D



I opened up the Van Stall. You can see its innards over here.   8)

Love those open face spinning reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco Cardinals)

Tommy D (ORCA), NE



Favorite Activity? ............... In our boat fishing
RELAXING w/ MY BEST FRIEND (My wife Bonnie)

Penn Chronology

QuoteThe 300 is still keeping its value after so many years, some are going for over $100 still.

They go up and down in value. I think you are correct. They are certainly worth $100, especially a nice, unmolested Crack 300. I remember them being higher in value about 15 years ago. As they age, the interest in them changes. Not too many people want to fish with them anymore. Modern spinning reels are so much more smooth in operation than these old mechanical workhorses. They will always be special to me because of how I felt about them when I was young. They were the best on the beach in 1966!

Midway Tommy

My Seven Seas is a late '50s/ early '60s run. Notice the difference in gearing.

Love those open face spinning reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco Cardinals)

Tommy D (ORCA), NE



Favorite Activity? ............... In our boat fishing
RELAXING w/ MY BEST FRIEND (My wife Bonnie)

oc1

#43
Holy cow!  I received a Crack in the mail.  The model number is not marked but it must be a 300 because it's huge.  A black drilled spool in a bronze-colored frame and rotor.  Manual pick-up.  You understand immediately why they drilled and cut slits and such because it weighs a freaking ton.  What a machine.  This has got to be the tank of spinning reels.  Pitchers tomorrow.
-steve

Penn Chronology

QuoteHoly cow!  I received a Crack in the mail.  The model number is not marked but it must be a 300 because it's huge.  A black drilled spool in a bronze-colored frame and rotor.  Manual pick-up.  You understand immediately why they drilled and cut slits and such because it weighs a freaking ton.  What a machine.  This has got to be the tank of spinning reels.  Pitchers tomorrow.

The Crack version of the big Luxor was not sold until 1968. The reel was around from the 1940 in many different versions and model varitions. Put up detailed pictures and I might be able to place the reel in its correct vintage.