FIRST VERSION.
PARTS
PARTS
FIRST VERSION.
β - 1977-1979
THE GARCIA-MITCHELL 408 SKY-BLUE.
β.1 - The 5,5:1 ratio.
MAJOR CHANGES.
82678 - Housing.
The midnight-blue housing 81314 is replaced by its matching sky-blue version.
82686 - Side Plate.
The midnight-blue Side Plate 81325 is replaced by its matching sky-blue version.
82680 - Bowl.
The midnight-blue Bowl 81320 is replaced by its matching sky-blue version.
82684 - Complete handle.
The former midnight-blue Complete Hanle 81318 is replaced by its matching sky-blue version with the "High Speed" blue sticker and the Grey Handle Knob.
81272 - Driving Gear Spacer.
The dark grey Driving Gear spacer takes back its place.
OBSERVATION.
The Garcia corporation which took the lead of Mitchell in 1974 struck a blow by launching this new Garcia Mitchell 408 sky-blue. But the move had already been prepared. All the features of this version were set on the former midnight-blue ones (preset Pinion-Ball bearing assembly, Driving Gear modifications, Housing redesigned).
The sky-blue color is sort of the outcome of these former changes which were part of a commercial campaign.
NUMERATION.
G298110
β.1.2 - minor changes.
MAJOR CHANGES.
81279 - Couterweight.
The Counterweight which was black painted isn't finished anymore and set raw in the bowl.
81277??? - Handle Spacer.
The Handle Spacer is punched again in four different spots instead of three.
81044??? - Handle Screw.
A tiny groove (similar to the one made on the Reel axle) is milled around the axe of the Handle Screw.
NUMERATION.
-
β.2 - 5:1 ratio.
MAJOR CHANGES.
82793 - Driving Gear.
The Gleason cut Driving Gear is definitely abandoned. It is replaced by the brass Driving Gear 82793.
83678 - Pinion Ball Bearing Assembly.
The Gleason cut Pinion is obviously abanoned too.
OBSERVATION.
Although the production managed to distinguish the 308 Driving gear from the 408 one by making the first one out of aluminum and the second one out of brass, the fact remains nonetheless that the high-speed ratio is lost.
This feature had always been the preserve of the 408 models (and of the 358 until their production stopped). This decision brought the differences in between the 308 an the 408 to mere cosmetic matter. The Mitchell 408 has somehow lost its birth-wrights.
This is the beginning of a confusion in the range of the ultra-light models.
NUMERATION.
J170106
