Questions on a C2 Convertible

[Peter H.]

Hi,

I've been part of the NCRS for about a year, but just managed to find a nice 1965 327/350 (non A/C) roadster with 31,000 miles this past summer. 99% of the car is original.

Question #1: The battery cables have been replaced somewhere over its life. I purchased a reproduction set from Lectric Limited for which the positive has the part number #2983593 correctly printed on it in white. The negative battery cable has no part number printed on it, while the wording on page 115 of the NCRS' 1965 Technical Manual would suggest that it too should have its part number printed (#2981079). Lectric Limited's technical department was very helpful and said that the negative should not have the part number printed on it. Who is right?

Question #2: The original saddle-colored convertible top is in good shape for 38 years but has some dirt/stains that I would like to try to clean out of it. Also, the rear window is yellowing. Are there any recommended products for cleaning these surfaces or should I leave them alone?

[Eugene B.]

Re: Regarding Question 1

Peter,
I've been watching your post for an good answer to your question about the part numbers on the negative battery cable.

I had the same discussion with the folks at Lectric Limited when I was a Carlisle and purchased battery cables for my '65. I hope that you found them to be more courteous that I did.

It's strange that their brown cable for a '65 with A/C has the part number on it, but the non-A/C one does not. They swear, with an arrogant attitude that their cable is made to the Packard drawings and it correct. It is their contention that the JG is WRONG?

Hope this helps,
Gene

[Peter H.]

Re: Regarding Question 1

Gene,

Thanks for your email, as it was helpful to hear that I am not alone in my interpretation of the JG. The man who helped me on the phone asked the guy who reads the Packard drawings and came back to confirm that the JG was incorrect (the second guy must get this question alot because the first came back to the phone pretty quickly). I then asked him to double-check his stock to make sure that I didn't happen to get one different than the others. As you have also indicated, LL simply does not print the part number on the negative cable for non A/C cars.

Regards,

Peter