Posted 13 years ago
mrcolorz
(199 items)
Stanley Clay patented this reel...Do not know much about it, supposedly pretty scarce...any info? Anyone..This also has the pole.
Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.
Comments
Want to post a comment?
Create an account or login in order to post a comment.
pat.no...2,783,952 can be google patent search
Hello mrcolorz, just some information I have collected from the internet...........
Great Lakes made an intergrated rod and reel combination called the Whirlaway. Depending on model and conditon they run in the $20 to $75 range. Having the original box is a plus.
The first version, half of the reel is a chrome cover - marked Whirlaway along the edge. The handle moves in a slot depending on casting or reeling back in. The upper half of the reel/rod is black tenite.
Later versions the reel crank is fixed in one location, they have a label on the plastic section stating Greatlakes or Greatlakes 75. They are usually marked "Whirlaway" on the rod its self.
The first version, half of the reel is a chrome cover - marked Whirlaway along the edge. The handle moves in a slot depending on casting or reeling back in. The upper half of the reel/rod is black tenite.
Later versions the reel crank is fixed in one location, they have a label on the plastic section stating Greatlakes or Greatlakes 75. They are usually marked "Whirlaway" on the rod its self.
Great Lakes Products was an industry leader with the introduction of the Whirlaway 500 spinning reel in 1953. They were located in Lexington, MI.
The first model 500 models produced from 1953 to 1955 were wrought with problems and almost caused the company to go out of business. In 1955 or 1956 they introduced the Whirlaway 75 or Imperial model that worked much better. That was made until about 1970. In the late 50's Great Lakes products dominated the industry with low cost rods and reels (not the Whirlaway which was more costly) that were sold to the mass merchants of the time. Customers such as Wards, Western Auto and Sears were big Great lakes customers. Their sales peaked in probably 1958 or 1959 then gradually declined through the 1960s.
Internaly the 75 is like a spinning reel, turn the reel handle backward a little to open the bail and forward to close the bail. The Wirlaway had a revolving spool there is a latch on the handle shaft release it handle pivits to the back of the "ball" the spool is now pointed forward like a spinning reel ready to cast. Pivit the handle back around to the side and the spool is now sideways like a bait caster and turns to retrieve line. The trouble with the Whirlaway is there is no way to guide the line evenly on the spool, the 75 took care of this by going to a spinning reel type setup. "Enjoy your treasure"