Reproduction Battery Warning

[69Chevelle L78Deluxe300]

In May I ordered a new battery for my 69 Chevelle from Turbostart.com. It was a licensed GM reproduction part with the fiberglass mat cell technology made by New Castle Battery. I was charged $243 (including shipping) two days after my order was placed. When I never received the battery I contacted Turbo Start last week and was told New Castle was no longer in business and that I should try to get my money back from Visa! I think this company was also selling reproduction Mopar batteries.
If anyone knows of a legitimate company making reproduction batteries with the gel cell technology please let me know because I would like to get rid of the acid spill potential.

[Keith Tedford]

Don't know about the batteries but I'd like to see pictures of your car. Ours is also a 300 Deluxe L78.

[Mr70]

I just called New Castle on June 28th to inquire about the New Sealed R59 Delco Energizer they License.
They told me $208.00 + ship.
I was going to place an order of 4,in a group discount with some locals.
I will call them Tomorrow AM,and also try Antique Car Battery too.

[Mr. T]

Hey Rick, who is the best battery company to get a repro of an original AC Delco for 1st generation Camaros? I would like the batteries to be correctly dated. I looked this morning, but couldn't find much.

[Mr70]

New Castle holds the GM License to Manufacturer most of the Original designed Delco series.All the parts suppliers order through them as well.Paddock,YearOne etc.
I don't know if they will correctly date them,as the two dry cell R-59's I have bought from them in the past were all real world dates.

[WILMASBOYL78]

BATTERY WARNING!! I purchased 3 of the sealed Delco 59 style batteries last year for the fleet from New Castle. I first saw them displayed at Carlisle last year. One of these batteries developed a small crack/leak this March in my 68 car. The fumes from the leak did 1000's in damage! When I contacted them they offered to give me another battery Fortunately Hagerty paid the claim and the damage was repaired. New Castle was going to issue a call tag to pick up the defective battery and it is still sitting in the shop as I write this. As far as I am concerned these batteries are strictly a prop for shows. Best thing is to get the real acid model without the acid and just use it for looks. I buy the AC-Delco professional top post maintenance free units and just switch the other for shows. You can also just get a plastic battery topper and have the look without the risk. Maybe I was just unlucky but I won't risk it a second time.

wilam

[Mr. T]

Tom and Rick, thanks for the info.

[njsteve]

[ QUOTE ]
BATTERY WARNING!! I purchased 3 of the sealed Delco 59 style batteries last year for the fleet from New Castle. I first saw them displayed at Carlisle last year. One of these batteries developed a small crack/leak this March in my 68 car. The fumes from the leak did 1000's in damage! When I contacted them they offered to give me another battery Fortunately Hagerty paid the claim and the damage was repaired. New Castle was going to issue a call tag to pick up the defective battery and it is still sitting in the shop as I write this. As far as I am concerned these batteries are strictly a prop for shows. Best thing is to get the real acid model without the acid and just use it for looks. I buy the AC-Delco professional top post maintenance free units and just switch the other for shows. You can also just get a plastic battery topper and have the look without the risk. Maybe I was just unlucky but I won't risk it a second time.

wilam

[/ QUOTE ]

I have the Mopar group 27 and the R59 sealed batteries in my Hemi and my Z11 since last year. I haven't had a problem (knock on wood). The only glitch was that UPS damaged the first mopar battery they sent me. I arrived punctured and obviously damaged in shipping -you could see the hole in the box and the battery without even unpacking it. New Castle immediately issued a call tag and the new battery arrived when they came to pick up the old one. I hope they didnt go out of business as I'll need a battery for my T/A.

William - I would venture a guess that your battery was probably cracked when you received it and it just took a little time to seap through. They ship via UPS and they are pretty hard on anything small and heavy that can be thrown, tossed, dropped or kicked.

[WILMASBOYL78]

I guess that is a possibility. If they use UPS and they have had damage claims such as yours, then perhaps they need to re-think how they package and ship. These collector cars are just too valuable to risk using parts that have the potential for disaster. Bottom line: be careful, check things over closely and don't leave the battery in the car!

wilma

[shor]

I love the optimas!
I put them in everything I own.
I know they look new, but damn I cant bear to put lead acid batteries near any of my vehicles