Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

[Donald H.]

The Reproduction Battery folks want an extra $30 for the tar top. From a judging perspective does the Tar Top get any less of a deduct?

From looking at the Judging Reference Manual, I assume that the Reproduction Batteries are as close as you can get, but will get a 30% originality deduct "Deduct 30% - reproductions differing from original design and construction in minor detail".

If the 30% is a fixed amount, then it would seem the Tar top and Hard top would both get full 30% deduct.

Thanks,

Don

[Leif A.]

Re: Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

Don,
Which car is this battery for? If it's for your '66 "under restoration" that car does not get a tar top battery.

[Donald H.]

Re: Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

Don,
Which car is this battery for? If it's for your '66 "under restoration" that car does not get a tar top battery.

Thanks that an easy $30 savings. What was the last model year of the tar top batteries?

[Gary B.]

Re: Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

Don,
Which car is this battery for? If it's for your '66 "under restoration" that car does not get a tar top battery.

Leif,

I don't have the latest '66 TIM&JG handy, but I have the 3rd edition and it says the '66 battery is indeed a tar top.

Gary

[Donald H.]

Re: Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

Yes. I just re-read page 139 of the latest 66 TIM&JG and it states 'The factory installed battery is a "top post" Delco DC - 12 tar top, #1980558'.

So back to my original question - Is there any judging benefit to spending the extra $30 or am I going to loose 30% regardless?

Thanks,

Don

[Gary B.]

Re: Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

Don,

I'd like to know the answer to your question as well. But my bet is the repro tar top might garner full credit depending on the (in)experience level of the judges at a Chapter meet, but almost certainly will get the 30% deduct at the National level.

Gary

[Leif A.]

Re: Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

Yes. I just re-read page 139 of the latest 66 TIM&JG and it states 'The factory installed battery is a "top post" Delco DC - 12 tar top, #1980558'.

So back to my original question - Is there any judging benefit to spending the extra $30 or am I going to loose 30% regardless?

Thanks,

Don

Don,
I guess that answers your earlier question in post #3. 1966 must have been the last year for a tar top battery as the 1967 definitely was NOT a tar top battery. My apologies for my earlier misstatement.

[Joe R.]

Re: Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

What is the difference between a battery, a radiator and repo door panels. There is a deduction for a battery! And not the radiator. The repo radiator can be seen from 10 paces and no one is concerned about the repo radiator not looking like an original.
We could start a thread about Trim Parts. The parts (emblems etc.) look better than ANY GM part ever looked that was attached to the car from St. Louis.
Please identify the difference in repos and originals. Mostly they are better quality if they are repos.

JR

[Michael J.]

Re: Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

What is the difference between a battery, a radiator and repo door panels. There is a deduction for a battery! And not the radiator. The repo radiator can be seen from 10 paces and no one is concerned about the repo radiator not looking like an original.
We could start a thread about Trim Parts. The parts (emblems etc.) look better than ANY GM part ever looked that was attached to the car from St. Louis.
Please identify the difference in repos and originals. Mostly they are better quality if they are repos.

JR

I with you there Joe, and this has been discussed a few times around here.

[Peter M.]

Re: Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

Hi Donald,
I apologize if I may not be interpreting your question correctly. I think Restoration Battery makes two versions of the DC 12 tar top battery, one they call "poly tar" and one they call "real tar". Both will look alike but the real tar at $30.00 extra will replicate the original construction. Sorry I don't know what the difference in judging points would be.
Kind regards,
Pete

[Gary B.]

Re: Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

Donald,

Also, I think the "real tar" top will eventually get dust, bugs, finger prints, etc. in it that the "poly tar" won't. So with time, you might wind up with a condition deduct if you choose the "real tar" option.

Gary

[Donald H.]

Re: Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

Donald,

Also, I think the "real tar" top will eventually get dust, bugs, finger prints, etc. in it that the "poly tar" won't. So with time, you might wind up with a condition deduct if you choose the "real tar" option.

Gary

Yes, I had that problem with a tar top that I had on my 1960.

Don

[Michael J.]

Re: Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

Once again, don't let a judge stick his fingers in it even if he asks you.

[Tim E.]

Re: Reproduction battery - Hard versus Tar top

Don - I would recommend spending the extra for both the real tar and the date coding. If you don't, you certainly will take the 30% deduction. Opting for the tar & date will probably not lead to a deduction unless the judges know batteries so well that they can pick it apart in great detail.

That being said, the 30% deduction would be about 4 points. Battery & caps score 25 originality points and 15 condition points. Assuming the judges divide the originality points evenly between the battery and the caps, 30% of 12.5 will be a deduction of 4.

Tim