Topic: Repro Battery

[ChrisV289]

I noticed the new NPD catalog did not list the Autolite reproduction battery but Virginia Mustang still has it listed on their website.  Is it still being reproduced or are they going to stop soon? 

[cobrajetchris]

The company or companies that make reproduction batteries should all be out of business for selling an over priced boat anchor. I went through 2 in one year and never again. The batteries look nice but if you need to start the car forget about it.

[Bob Gaines]

I noticed the new NPD catalog did not list the Autolite reproduction battery but Virginia Mustang still has it listed on their website.  Is it still being reproduced or are they going to stop soon?

Not much profit margin from what I understand. Virginia has it drop shipped from MFG. One MFG stopped making them . Only one MFG now I think .

[Bob Gaines]

The company or companies that make reproduction batteries should all be out of business for selling an over priced boat anchor. I went through 2 in one year and never again. The batteries look nice but if you need to start the car forget about it.

I would suspect other usage issues at work only because there are many who successfully ( myself included ) use them trouble free for years. With that said they are not near as durable it seems to it's generic counterpart. For example If you let them go dead or almost dead once they are never the same again and don't last long after that . You have to keep them on a tender if you want a extended life IMO.

[jwc66k]

The batteries look nice but if you need to start the car forget about it.

Unfortunate but true. I had three Mustangs (one 65 Fastback, 2 66 Fastbacks) with reproduction Autolite type 27 batteries and they lasted about two-three years. The local Excide Battery guy was blunt, you need to drive the cars almost every day to keep that type of battery charged. That's the big secret. I thought a trickle charger would help, it didn't. I currently use a $100 battery with a 48 month warranty instead of a $250 battery with a 90 day warranty in each car. Economics 101.
Jim

[AIRDRIVERUSA]

jac, Bob and Chris...

I do not know if this will help or not but check this web site out.  I believe he gives you a 4 year warranty on battery and they actually look all original.  Hope it helps.

Regards

http://www.restorationbattery.com

[Bob Gaines]

jac, Bob and Chris...

I do not know if this will help or not but check this web site out.  I believe he gives you a 4 year warranty on battery and they actually look all original.  Hope it helps.

Regards

http://www.restorationbattery.com

Thanks .the is one i have never seen. gives a pretty good warranty .

[J_Speegle]

.................they actually look all original. .........

Well at least for the 68 and up cars

Anyone try one?

[5F08KGT]

I too have gone through 2 of the repro batteries trying to keep my car looking somewhat authentic, the last one finally died......so we would use a common battery to start the car, then put the dead repro in at shows.....

I got tired of that and am NOT showing in MCA classes anymore, so I just recently bought the "Better/Best" topper that is on the market, and an EXCIDE battery group 24F in, of all places HOME DEPOT!!

IT HAS the gusset for the original '65 style hold-down bracket!!

I cut off the fabric carry strap, peeled all the stickers off of it, put it in, put the topper on it, hooked it up, and NEVER in 7 years have had the engine turn over so fast!!

40 month FREE REPLACEMENT!!

[lancelot66]

This past summer I needed to replace ours and had been following these threads and everyone's thoughts, experiences, etc. Decided that until they come out with a more accurate Group 24 or 22, especially the all important top markings and text component associated there, I wasn't going to spend the money. I looked all over the local area for at least one that had the lower lip for the hold-down bracket and as was mentioned, found an Exide Group 24 at Home Depot was the only one, ~$100. So on went the fake topper, peeled off that side decal (very easy), the new and improved clamp with that tab from Virginia went on a bit later, and that's what we're goin' with, as they say. I will remain jealous on how good those batteries still look though at the shows....

[5F08KGT]

May be Excide should make a correct repro group 22F, 24F and 27F ??

There are other batteries on the market that still have the gusset, but they are few and far between.

Time will tell on the life with the Excides......40 month free replacement.......I've also got 2 group 65s in my 7.3 Diesel F350........

[lancelot66]

I sure wish they'd consider it. They must have been making batteries for Napa at some point in time too. The battery I replaced had a case that was an identical match with the 7+ year old battery I'd bought new at Napa on the move up to Washington. Naturally, Napa no longer had the same ones, or even had a lip for the bracket on the current 24F's. I thought 7 years out of a battery wasn't too bad though.

[ChrisV289]

I needed to replace mine a couple of years ago and notice that O'reilly and AutoZone group 24 batteries were missing the lower lip for the batery hold down.  Of course the tried to push the generic over the top hold down which I declined.  I don't like the way those look on the early cars.  Pep Boys have a Bosch battery that has the lower lip as well.  That little lip is very important.  I've seen what happens when the battery isn't held down properly.  It can shift, fall on the alternator blade and then the blade chews through the battery spreading acid all over the engine bay.  Happened to my dad's 65 GT fastback.  It was a mess..

[67gtasanjose]

... That little lip is very important.  I've seen what happens when the battery isn't held down properly.  It can shift, fall on the alternator blade and then the blade chews through the battery spreading acid all over the engine bay. 

Yep, been there, seen that...On my brother's 66 many moons ago he went too fast over a set or RR tracks...NOT PRETTY, I played "clean-up crew" on that one.

[jwc66k]

For 64-66, go to National Parts Depot - https://www.npdlink.com/store/ and call up bracket 10718-2A. You will also need 10718-2A, top piece, and 10756-1K, bolt kit. It's all bolt on, you will need a 1/4-20X1/2 bolt to attach the bracket to the battery tray. I've used them for years.
Jim