Topic: Re-pro battery cables

[Hipo giddyup]

 I recently purchased a bunch of NOS 65-66 parts. In the box was this package of reproduction battery cables. They look to be from the 80s or perhaps 90s but even so, the quality looks pretty darn good for what they are, including the Fomoco SX stamping with the 65 part number down the ground cable. How would you guys rate the appearance of these for concourse showing?
Bill

[carlite65]

hard to tell in the bags.

[Hipo giddyup]

I can remove them and take additional pics. Anything in particular you need to see??

Bill

[tim_morrison82]

Repro may be the wrong word. It looks like its a service replacement ford part. If it is concours correct ill leave it up to tye guys asking for pics!

[CharlesTurner]

Repro may be the wrong word. It looks like its a service replacement ford part. If it is concours correct ill leave it up to tye guys asking for pics!

I've only ever seen positive cables NOS that matched original, maybe they were lunch-pail parts.  There were usually just generic cable replacements, not matching assembly line parts.

[Hipo giddyup]

 

I've only ever seen positive cables NOS that matched original, maybe they were lunch-pail parts.  There were usually just generic cable replacements, not matching assembly line parts.

That makes sense Charles. The antenna comes to mind. Why would they continue to make the round base replacement in the 70's etc. when the square base antenna does the same job. 

I don't mind opening these up as they will indeed get used. I'll post some more pics tonight to see how close they might be to factory specs.

[J_Speegle]

Don't recall Ford packaging multiple cables in the same package/bundle which may suggest early reproductions given the label shown. Check box design of the packaging is something else I don't recall seeing on original service parts also as far as I can remember for parts like this. Guess up close measurements and a look is the next step

[Bob Gaines]

Don't recall Ford packaging multiple cables in the same package/bundle which may suggest early reproductions given the label shown. Check box design of the packaging is something else I don't recall seeing on original service parts also as far as I can remember for parts like this. Guess up close measurements and a look is the next step

Agree that they appear to be early repro parts. The packaging is the big red flag and would assume repro from that aspect.. Early repro Battery cable wire parts differ from later wire repro parts by the diameter of the wire . The early wire is thinner like original. The the later repro wire is metric and the next best size ends up being a thicker wire . Thicker wire is better from a function standpoint but not so much for original look. There are things like terminal and post ends that differ between repro and original .I am reluctant to go into detail but will let others do so if they think appropriate. FYI I know of a few ebay sellers that take early repro wire and market it as original so buyer beware.

[Hipo giddyup]

Here are few more pics. The cables are indeed thinner than most.

[Hipo giddyup]

Couple more

[J_Speegle]

Yes look like reproductions

[Hipo giddyup]

Thanks Jeff, so the question is, would these be acceptable for showing or would a more recent set of reproductions be better?? I understand they will still be functional but it comes down to using them on my next show car or buying a new set of repros? Sometimes repro quality and correctness gets better as the years go on.. 

[rocket289k]

In my experience Kevin Marti currently does a very nice job reproducing battery cables (they are not one size fits all).

http://www.martiauto.com/itemselection.cfm?item=BC-94B

Regards,


Ron

[J_Speegle]

Thanks Jeff, so the question is, would these be acceptable for showing or would a more recent set of reproductions be better?? ..........

That would be an individual decision reached by that particular judging team on that day. If your referring to MCA those teams change just about ever show do predicting what they may do would be very difficult. Best plan or expect that they will see everything and that everytime will be important to one or more of them and plan accordingly. If they are judging correctly the few little things that are noticed should not mean that you would take a big hit (loose all of the points) so it would likely come down to if there was reason enough (if everything else in the category is correct) worth a full point.

Choice I think it if you want to run the risk of be certain and buy better ones

[Hipo giddyup]

Honest response Jeff. Thanks