Whirlaway 75 Rod & Reel Features: Understanding Line Control & Adjustments

Question
I have a Great Lakes model Whirlaway 75 rod and reel. It is in working condition, It has a round reel completely enclosed, with the line coming out at the base of the rod. There is a chrome thumb rest where the line comes out to the rod ferules. It appears that the thumb rest is for line control as the line passes over it. There is a short rubber handle on the back side of the reel that has some sort of adjustment as it turns a little, but haven't figured out what it does. It was made in Detroit, Mich.
Any info or value would be appreciated.
Thanks, Don

Answer
Don

Great Lakes introduced the Whirl A Way in 1953. The early rod/reel design had a handle that moved to the back to cast the line. The later models the handle was fixed on the side.

Yours sounds like the later model. Mint in the original box they sell for $125. Mint without the box, $60. In average condition 10-20.

I am not sure about the feature your talking about....I dont own one to compare.

regards

Bob