63 battery

[Todd L.]

I am in need of a battery for my restoration of an early December 1962 car. Does anyone have a recommendation of where to purchase a battery that is as correct as possible for judging on a 63?

Thanks so much!

[Harry S.]

This is a recent thread.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/forum/te...ar-top-battery

[David H.]

I am in need of a battery for my restoration of an early December 1962 car. Does anyone have a recommendation of where to purchase a battery that is as correct as possible for judging on a 63?

Thanks so much!

Todd

There are 4500 points in Flight Judging. For Mid-Year there are 25 Originality points associated with Battery & Caps.

Battery is judged by Standard Deduction Guideline #2. Current Originality point loss for a DELCO, correctly sized service replacement with appropriate top or side post configuration is 25% or 5 points. 5 points out of 4500 points.

A "restoration" battery may/may not judge without deductions. Battery indiscernable from Original would receive no deductions. Battery indiscernable from Original but with no appropriate plant or date stamping would get a 3 point deduction. Reproductions differing in minor detail would get a 4 point deduction. 100% or 25 point Originality deduction plus 15 point Condition (40 point total) for Others.

You may want to consider judging points gain/lost vs cost of your options.

Dave

[Todd L.]

Thanks for the detail Dave. Is there a recommendation on where to purchase a Tar Top battery?

[Leif A.]

Thanks for the detail Dave. Is there a recommendation on where to purchase a Tar Top battery?

These are the only folks reproducing a "look alike", original style battery. The wait is extensive and the communication is slim to none...but, if you want an original style they're the only game in town.

https://www.jimsbattery-mfg.com/

[Todd L.]

As I understand the comments here, it appears the battery is going to get most if not all deductions no matter what. Should I just put a black Delco battery in it and go, since it will get point deductions anyway?

[Terry M.]

Todd, I wholeheartedly agree with Dave’s comments. Using a Delco replacement battery of correct size and post configuration will net a 5 point deduction. In addition, this battery will cost about $150+/-. A “look alike” tar top battery will cost over double that and may still result in some points deduct, depending on what the particular judges think. So, either scenario may result in points loss. Maybe some additional perspective…by having a battery cut-off switch, fire extinguisher and display of the NCRS decal, you can earn 10 bonus judging points. Super low hanging fruit! If you have money to burn and wish to minimize the potential for points deducts, I would suggest you obtain a real (original) tar top battery, hollow out the case and install a small lithium battery inside. The process has been discussed previously in this forum. Good luck!

[Todd L.]

Terry,

Thanks so much for the great advice, I appreciate it. I did chat with Joe Scafidi and he told me basically the same thing you did. Sounds like that is the direction to go. I may buy a Tar Topper just for a correct look, and use a Delco battery.

[Gary J.]

The thing with using a “tar topper” you may be ask to remove the top during judging so the judges can see it is a Delco battery. If not a Delco battery under the topper would warrant the proper deductions.

[Terry M.]

I have a new AC Delco battery with a “tar topper” cover. The battery has a sticker a the forward side that clearly depicts “AC Delco” so it is easily seen by the judges. My car has achieved Duntov Certification, Bloomington Gold and MCACN Triple Diamond, all with the standard deduction for the battery. Would I like to have those points? Sure, but the cost per point at this juncture is not worth in IMO.

[Todd L.]

Thanks Terry, great information!