Restoration battery decision for my 66

[Donald H.]

I spoke to the Restoration Battery guy today. Since my car is a 66, the most correct battery would be the tar top version; however, he advised against the tar top. The reason being is that I plan to have my car judged, but I'm planning on driving it also. Not a daily driver but to cruise ins and moderate distance group tours.

He said the tar top would collect everything that blows off the fan and back through the fender vents, and not easy way to clean dust and dirt once it get embedded in the tar. Makes sense to me.

He said that the tar top does not get any deduct in judging and that the poly top only gets 7 points. I'm looking for some verification of his statement.

Anyone go through recent Regional or National judging with restoration battery that can perhaps let me know how the battery actually judged and whether you have a poly or tar top battery.

Thanks,

[Jim D.]

Re: Restoration battery decision for my 66

I can't help you with the point deduct but he's correct about the dirt in the tar. I had a tar top in my 60 and it looked like crap in very short order. I now have the poly top but the car has never been judged.

[Donald H.]

Re: Restoration battery decision for my 66

Thank Jim.

I had a tar top on my 60 when I fnished it, but I sold it right after the national judging so it never saw enough driving to get really messed up.

I though from my research that even the tar top got a 30%, or 7 point hit. I'll probably just go with the poly top, especially if it only get a 7 point deduct.

[Russ S.]

Re: Restoration battery decision for my 66

Should be no deduct with the tar top.

[Michael J.]

Re: Restoration battery decision for my 66

Should be no deduct with the tar top.

+1, and don't take the caps off either, even if the judge asks............

[Rick A.]

Re: Restoration battery decision for my 66

Don't have the mighty fine JRM handy - but there is a standard deduction for the battery

well, just ventured out into the garage and pulled the JRM out and believe you would be facing a 30% deduction on originality for the polytar battery provided everything else is correct for the battery. In other words, properly dated, correct caps, etc. And, then if there are any condition problems, you could face deductions on that side also.

[Donald H.]

Re: Restoration battery decision for my 66

OK, so per the JRM and 30%, the battery is worth 25 so the poly to battery should be a 7 point deduct and assuming new should get no condition deduct.

I think I'll order the poly top version since I do plan to drive the car. I'd rather not spend $300 for the tar top version and end up messing it up with dirt, dust, and general road junk.

Thanks to all for you help and advice....

[Mike M.]

Re: Restoration battery decision for my 66

i use the currently available delco freedom batteries which cost about 100 . the freedom looses 12 points, the resto, at 300 bucks looses 7 points. is 200 bucks worth 5 points? see ya in front royal this coming weekend. mike

[Peter L.]

Re: Restoration battery decision for my 66

I'm with Mike. Get a new Delco battery if you're going to use your car. As far as I'm concerned, the restoration batteries are just that & they don't work or last any better than the original Delco batteries that I had in my '55, '57, & '63 Chevy's & my '66 & 68 Chevelles. They didn't last very long. Best pour your money down some other rat hole. Enjoy driving your car with a new Delco battery. Pete

[Donald H.]

Re: Restoration battery decision for my 66

I think I'll look at the modern Delco battery today. I agree 5 judging points are not worth $200. I was going for looks more than points.

[Gene M.]

Re: Restoration battery decision for my 66

Be advised some of the restoration battery's are fussy about trickle charging. Alternator puts out fine. After use I have to set a charger for 10 amps over night then at 2 amps for couple hours prior to maintenance charge or the maintenance charger never goes to "green". No issue like this with the "normal" car batteries.

[Harry S.]

Re: Restoration battery decision for my 66

I spoke to the Restoration Battery guy today. Since my car is a 66, the most correct battery would be the tar top version; however, he advised against the tar top. The reason being is that I plan to have my car judged, but I'm planning on driving it also. Not a daily driver but to cruise ins and moderate distance group tours.

He said the tar top would collect everything that blows off the fan and back through the fender vents, and not easy way to clean dust and dirt once it get embedded in the tar. Makes sense to me.

He said that the tar top does not get any deduct in judging and that the poly top only gets 7 points. I'm looking for some verification of his statement.

Anyone go through recent Regional or National judging with restoration battery that can perhaps let me know how the battery actually judged and whether you have a poly or tar top battery.

Thanks,

I installed a tar-top in my 63 A/C coupe for the 2016 National. The battery does get a bit dusty but not too bad. A soft paint brush will remove the dust. I did loose points during judging. The judge, we all know him well, said the slight bumps in the top were missing and they were. I suggest you compare picture of an original tar-top to the latest reproduction and make a decision.