The Ambassadeur 1500C and 2500C described in this section refers to Small Ambassadeur reels produced from 1975 to 1985 (for Small Ambassadeurs produced after 1985, please refer to the Small ABU Ambassadeur Section).
The design of Small Ambassadeur was enduring. Produced for only a short span of less than 10 years, these Small Ambassadeurs were still being used today, after more than 4 decades; with little design change. This was not surprising, for she was armed with 3 United States Patent (4.003.270, 4.011.774 and 4.042.186) under her belt, with at least 2 of her patented designs adopted by other brands due to its functionality.
Although it was first produced in March 1975, the Ambassadeur 2500C only made to the market in 1976. Featured in the Garcia Fishing Annual, 1976 edition, this beauty was described as the “Superb Addition to the family” to complement the Ambassadeur family as an addition which was not only small and light but was also able to perform as good as her larger siblings.
Since the inception of the Ambassadeur 2500C, she was distributed globally through agents and outlets for about 2 years until the yet smaller and lighter Ambassdeur 1500C was born. It was also at this time that the Ambassadeur 2500C’s production was halted to make room for the Ambassadeur 1500C production. With the Ambassadeur 1500C ceasing her production in March 1979, the Ambassadeur 2500C resumed her production, with smaller quantity only for special orders; to Europe till 1982 and Japan till 1985 respectively.
このセクションで説明するAmbassadeur 1500Cおよび2500Cは、1975年から1985年にかけて生産された小型アンバサダーリールを指します(1985年以降に生産された小アンバサドゥールについては、Small ABU Ambassadeur セクション)。
An example of a very rare Ambassadeur 2500C produced in Dec 1982, the last classic Stamped Model ever created. This was also the beginning when Ambassadeur 2500C was produced in limited quantity based on orders predominantly for her Japan customers.A typical QA decal used to ensure quality before it was sent to Japan. What was unique is the type of QA decal used which was very different from those used in the later years.
Another was the additional handle fixed on the Ambassadeur 2500C which was a standard feature demanded from her Japan customers. The number of accessories included the ebisu bag, casting weight, Abu Ambassadeur User Card and other standards in addition to the original handle.Dec 1982, Nil Revision: What remains as a mystery is the reason why ABU reverted the revision number from 1 back to 0. While there was a revision of the anti-reverse dog and counter balance handle, this hardly justify for the major shift in reverting the revision number as major change was still observed between July 1980 to December 1982.
It was also interesting to see the first of an additional stamp of initials for her japan customer. Such feature was increasingly common for all Small Ambassadeurs exported or produced for the japan customers.The last Classic Ambassadeur 2500C schematic printed and was never changed even though parts like her Sideplate do.
An example of a rare Ambassadeur 2500C produced in Jun 1984, the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced in limited quantity for her Japan customers; EBISU. This was also the only model created with a Copper-Plate.Jun 1984, Nil Revision: A fine example from the first of the two batches produced before the end of the classic era. It was also interesting to note that all the Ebisu Ambassadeur 2500C produced in 1984 had her last foot number of 0 replaced with an inverted Q.The last Classic Ambassadeur 2500C schematic printed and was never changed even though parts like her Sideplate do.
An example of a rare Ambassadeur 2500C produced in Sep 1984, the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced in limited quantity for her Japan customers; EBISU. This was also the only model created with a Copper-Plate.Sep 1984, Nil Revision: A fine example of the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced. It was also interesting to note that all the Ebisu Ambassadeur 2500C produced in 1984 had her last foot number of 0 replaced with an inverted Q.The last Classic Ambassadeur 2500C schematic printed and was never changed even though parts like her Sideplate do.
An example of a rare Ambassadeur 2500C produced in Sep 1984, the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced in limited quantity for her Japan customers; EBISU. This was also the only model created with a Copper-Plate.Sep 1984, Nil Revision: A fine example of the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced.It was also interesting to note that all the Ebisu Ambassadeur 2500C produced in 1984 had her last foot number of 0 replaced with an inverted Q.The last Classic Ambassadeur 2500C schematic printed and was never changed even though parts like her Sideplate do.
An example of a rare Ambassadeur 2500C produced in Sep 1984, the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced in limited quantity for her Japan customers; EBISU. This was also the only model created with a Copper-Plate.An interesting High Speed Decal sighted on this special Ebisu Ambassadeur 2500C which marks the end of the Classic Small Ambassadeur era.Sep 1984, Nil Revision: A fine example of the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced. It was also interesting to note that all the Ebisu Ambassadeur 2500C produced in 1984 had her last foot number of 0 replaced with an inverted Q.The last Classic Ambassadeur 2500C schematic printed and was never changed even though parts like her Sideplate do.
An example of a rare Ambassadeur 2500C produced in Sep 1984, the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced in limited quantity for her Japan customers; EBISU. This was also the only model created with a Copper-Plate.An interesting High Speed Decal sighted on this special Ebisu Ambassadeur 2500C which marks the end of the Classic Small Ambassadeur era.Sep 1984, Nil Revision: A fine example of the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced. It was also interesting to note that all the Ebisu Ambassadeur 2500C produced in 1984 had her last foot number of 0 replaced with an inverted Q. The last Classic Ambassadeur 2500C schematic printed and was never changed even though parts like her Sideplate do.
Mr Simon Shimomura shared in his book, “The Ambassadeur and I”, page 23 that the sideplate was a “Very unusual 5000? Characteristics reflect those of a 6000 or 5000B. Approximately 200 pieces can still be found at the factory”. This book was published in 25th June 2000.
Indeed, this is an interesting Ambassadeur 5000 produced in October 1981 (first version) during the keynote year of ABU’s History.
This is 1981, the year Len Brogstrom sold his remaining shares to Incentive and left ABU; after 25 years of leadership in the company. The future of ABU remains uncertain.
ABU started seeing red in mid 1970s. While we knew that ABU will never waste any of its parts, it has became evident during these years. Many of the models printed on the hard boxes were seen to be pasted over with the decal of another model; a bid to save cost from reproduction of new boxes.
This is exactly what happened to this particular model. A unique “5000” decal was pasted over the sideplate of an Ambassadeur 6000.
One of the 200 “unusual 5000 Sideplate” found in ABU Factory.
This ‘5000’ decal was unique not only because it is uncommon, but also because of how it was produced. Unlike the foil decals seen during the late 1970s to the 1980s, this decal is neither Smooth nor Rough (Smooth Decal refers to the Ambassadeur Decal Models while Rough refers to the Rough HighSpeed Decal with horizontal strips). Measuring 11mm (L) by 4.5mm (W), you can see that this decal is a hybrid, with horizontal strips running across the number ‘5000’ only.
An example of a Ambassadeur 5000B Sideplate. An example of a Ambassadeur 6000 Sideplate.
I have seen 3 of the sideplates and 5 of these assembled Ambassadeur 5000 over the last 10 years.
So could this be a reel put together with the parts available? I will say yes, but really not possible unless I am proven otherwise from the few reasons stated below,
1. The assembled parts are really quite peculiar to the year of manufacture and they are not easy to find. Case in point will be the 68mm ‘Bullet’ Style Counter-Balance Handle. This handle is different from that of those used in 1974 (to be used without retainer), these handles are found to be used on Ambassadeurs produced in 1981 (an example will be the Ambassdeur 1500C produced in 1981),
An example of a Rare 1981 Fish Box in its unassembled condition.
2. This is the only correct matching Fish Box (used only in 1981) I have seen thus far,
3. While it may still be possible to change the sideplate of the above mentioned reel to that of an Ambassdeur 5000A bearing the same foot number (811000), it is just not economical; unless deliberate. That being said, getting a matching Fish Box is also another challenge, and
4. There are a total of 4 reels seen with identical parts and this cannot be just coincidental.
So how many of such assembled Ambassadeur 5000s are there; I am keen to find out!
Left Spool Cap: Mesh (Embossed) with Slit, which was only used from 1972 to about 1975.
The 2 possibilities are,
1. This is not an original part to this reel produced in 1981, or 2. This is an old part used by ABU which may be possible since (a) ABU never waste its parts and (b) This is a critical year for ABU and the factory is getting rid of all her old parts.
Simon Shimomura氏 彼の本の中で共有されている”The Ambassadeur and I”, 23ページのサイドプレートは”非常に珍しい5000?特性は6000または5000Bのものを反映しています。工場では、まだ約200個が見つかります。この本は2000年6月25日に出版された。
