Great reels. I have a 5000, 5000C and 5500C. Fun to fish with, the 5500C being the most useable for the type of fishing I do. You can get almost any part for these reels, so maintaining or upgrading is quite possible.
The one in the above post is a 2500C, from 76 or 77. It was a smaller version of the more well known Ambassadeurs. They came out in 1976. I think about a year later the 1500C was released - same diameter as the 2500C, but with a narrow spool. These small Ambassadeurs gained a cult like following in Japan and I think that's where most of them were sold in later years. They are still used by the some of the BFS trout fishermen there. I think the last year these were produced was 2008. You can still buy a brand new one from Don Iovino.
I've done some mods on mine and can throw 1/8 oz lures with it, no problem. I think 3/32 oz should be possible. That said, it will handle decent sized bass without any trouble. I upgraded the drag washers with new carbonex ones.
Originally Posted by
jawjatek
Nice Ambassadeur... never saw one that small. I have 3 vintage 5500C reels I bought in the 70s, and I still fish with them. Upgraded the drag washers to carbontex and installed new bearings.
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https://www.instagram.com/fishfishwish/