Reproduction Battery Warning

[67 GTO]

I grabbed an R-59 lookalike (doesn't have the Delco script on top?) from a pile of scrap batteries. Not really expecting to use it anytime soon, but it's nice knowing it's there for when the GTO is eventually done...

[Mr70]

You're right..
I just got off the phone with New Castle Battery,(TurboStart.com),they answered the phone,"Commercial Battery."
I asked what happened to New Castle Battery?..she replied they went out of Business at the End of June.
I asked if they now sell what New Castle used to & she said yes,but not any of the Antique Car batteries at all.

I then called Antique Auto Battery in Ohio 1-800-426-7580.
They are now the GM License holder to the Antique Delco Batteries.They said they get $230 for the New Sealed R-59 & it will be at least 2 weeks or more waiting list.
The R-59 Open Lead acid is $140 & readily available.
They can stamp any Date on them you wish.

[69Chevelle L78Deluxe300]

Thanks for the information, mr70. I just called Antique Battery and orderd one of their sealed batteries. They said several people have called that were charged by New Castle and never sent a battery.

[Mr. T]

[ QUOTE ]
I then called Antique Auto Battery in Ohio 1-800-426-7580. They are now the GM License holder to the Antique Delco Batteries.They said they get $230 for the New Sealed R-59 & it will be at least 2 weeks or more waiting list.
The R-59 Open Lead acid is $140 & readily available.
They can stamp any Date on them you wish.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just got off the phone with Antique Auto Battery. They told me that they can stamp the datecode on the Open Lead and the Maintenance Free R-59 Delco Batteries. I just have to decide which battery I should go with. Pay $140.00 for the Open Lead, or $230.00 for the maintenance free. They mentioned that both of these R-59's look identical and correct on the outside.
Has anybody ordered the maintenance free battery, and received it yet? Thoughts?

[Chevy454]

Hey Tony: whichever one you decide on, can you do me a favor and put it on a scale before you install it...?

[Mr70]

You Dragracer you..

[Chevy454]

Just keepin' up with the Joneses, buddy...

[Mr. T]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey Tony: whichever one you decide on, can you do me a favor and put it on a scale before you install it...?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure, no problem Rob. I have decided to go with the Maintenance Free R-59's, which will be ordered on Monday. It might take 2-3 weeks before I receive them.

[Mr. T]

Rob,

Delco Energizer R-59 Battery weights.
Maintenance Free: 35 lbs
Open Lead: 40 lbs

I will double check the weight when I get them.

[Chevy454]