C2 Battery and Battery Cables

[Michael S.]

I am new to NCRS so this is my first posting. I just purchased a 1965 coupe with 327/350hp w/o air conditioning. I want to purchase a restoration type battery and battery cables. I believe the battery should be a restoration type Delco 558 DC12 and the cables should be with spring-ring clamps. Does anyone have a recommendation on a vendor(s) who can supply these items to me? Is there a vendor who can supply these with original part number markings, exact cable gauge, and correct color? Also, should I purchase a lead acid type or maintenance free, will it make a difference in NCRS judging? Thanks for any advice, as I am new to restoration of corvettes.

Mike

[John H.]

Re: C2 Battery and Battery Cables

Mike -

All of the vendors sell the Lectric Limited reproduction spring-ring battery cables, or you can get them direct (www.lectriclimited.com).

[Gary B.]

Tar top battery source

Michael,

Until they were sold (or went backrupt?), New Castle Battery, sold reproduction tar top batteries. Another company, Turbostart, whose website is http://www.turbostart.com might have bought New Castle and they will be selling tar top battery again "in a few months" according to an e-mail I received from them last week. If they do make a real tar top, I think they will be the only company to make one that might pass judging.

Gary

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 Battery and Battery Cables

Michael,

I think you will find many people on this board have the Delco maintainence free six or seven year group 24 battery for less than half the cost of a reproduction battery. As long as it's a Delco battery the point deduct for judging is small. My experence with repro battery's is not good at all, big waste of $$$$.

[Michael S.]

Re: Tar top battery source

Gary -

Thanks for the response. I ended up buying the spring-ring cables from Lectric Limited, a battery tray and box from Long Island Corvette Supply, and a Delco 558DC12 restoration battery from a company called Restoration Battery. The battery is a maintenance free battery with no lead acid, a 4 yr. warranty, but it is not a tar top. It seems to have all the correct markings and caps, plus they will date code the top of the battery if you give them your corvette's build date. I called Turbostart after I ordered the battery from Restoration Battery and left a message with their tech rep asking if and when they are going to be making the tar top battery. Assuming he calls me back, I will let you know what he says.

Mike