Side Post Battery

[RonNova396L34]

I am new to the bulletin board. I don't have a supercar but I share the same feelings about this type of car. Here is my question. I own a 1970 Nova SS 396/350 hp 4 speed that I bought from the original owner 2 years ago. The owner save the majority of the original equipment for the car. The items he changed were:Muncie to Hurst shifter, voltage regulator, rochester to Holley carb, and starter. The correct starter and carb are now on the car. He saved the original protecto-plate but the original window sticker he did not have. He said he never got it from the dealer. Now my question. He said the he ordered the car with a heavy duty battery which he said came as a SIDE POST battery. He swears on his good reputation that he never changed it and it truely came that way. The car was assembled the 3rd week of August 1969. He took delivery of the car September 18, 1969. I was told by someone that knows Novas, I won't mention names, that this battery was not available until May of 1970. I have a friend that also has a 70 396/350 Nova and his also has the side post battery. His though has a production date of May 1970. I'm hoping one of you guys can shed some light on my question. Have you seen any COPO or other supercars of 1969 or early 1970 ear with a side post battery? Thanks, Ron

[ORIGLS6]

Ron,
That's the way I understand it too. The HD Battery option (T60) gave you the side post battery. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable in this area will chime in but my '70 came with a side post as the HD option. I've even heard of some 6 cyl. cars that had the side posts.
Dennis

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Hi Ron, and welcome!
You're not from New Ulm are you [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] If so, nice feature material in N-Times!

As far as I know, the '69 Novas with the heavy duty battery option were top post, and this carried over into the '70 year until May or thereabouts. This does not mean that your car didn't come with the side posts though, anything is possible back in the day. I just haven't seen the sideposts until the mid '70 cars, and even then mainly on Chevelles (?).

[SS427]

I have many build sheets (Chevelle) dating back to early December '69 with the side post battery T60 option. Didn't matter which plant. Fair to say that Chevelle and Novas could be different however.

[lowmile]

I have an unrestored 1970 nova, 6cyl car, and it came with a sidepost. the build date is August 1970. Mark

[RonNova396L34]

Marlin, Good guess. Yes, I'm from New Ulm and it is my car being featured in Nova Times. I've also seen your car. Nice. I've piled up hundreds of pictures and I also have video of the unique things I found which I've never seen published before. I saw your posting on driveshaft painting marks. Mine of course were different. I find it hard to believe the original owner would have switched from a top post to a side post with how careful he was to keep all the original parts. He even kept the original XT rims and hubcaps. Thanks for the answer. Ron

[RonNova396L34]

Dennis, What was the assembly date for your car? Before May, 1070? Ron

[Keith Tedford]

In '72 a Lemans or GTO with the 455 could get the C89 sealed, side post battery. They also had the following regular batteries with side terminals: R88, R88S, R88X, Y88, Y86,and R88W. I don't know if any of these battery codes applied to Chevelles.

[ORIGLS6]

136370R****** 05D460
Fourth week of May

[RonNova396L34]

SS427,
Do you have any build sheets for Chevelles as early as my car (August) with the side post battery? How about any Camaro owners? How early were they available. Dealer installed option??