R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

[Stuart F.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

Tony;

That's unfortunate that you had such an experience. I have met the owner of Restoration Battery at a couple of Vette shows and he was very accommodating. I had an issue with the caps on my battery loosing their paint almost immediately when I put the battery in service. He advised that that was one thing even Delco couldn't figure out. He gave me another new set and advised I only put them on for show or judging, then replace afterwards with the old ones. I carry the new ones in my glove box.

Actually, I guess we're talking apples and oranges here as my battery from him is a tar top acid type. I'm not familiar with the R59 as I have had no need to become so for over 6 years.

Stu Fox

[Rick S.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

Okay, I will add a little "humor" here. I have a currrent Delco battery in my car and have a Topper battery cover and received no deduction at Chapter level judging. I am not bragging but just commenting about what can happen on any given day in judging.
Rick

P.S. I also didn't get a deduct for a service replacement dated carb. I will add that it was a full to the gills event, so **it happens. I was suprised!!

[Brian M.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

My Battery Topper was discovered at the 2004 National.

Okay, I will add a little "humor" here. I have a currrent Delco battery in my car and have a Topper battery cover and received no deduction at Chapter level judging. I am not bragging but just commenting about what can happen on any given day in judging.
Rick

P.S. I also didn't get a deduct for a service replacement dated carb. I will add that it was a full to the gills event, so **it happens. I was suprised!!

[Clark K.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

I have a '65 L76 Coupe with A/C that is a chapter Top Flight '09. I bought a gel-type battery because it looks almost identical to the original tar-top batteries. At the April chapter Flight judging, the Mechanical Section Judging Team deducted what they stated was the standard deduction. Of 25 originality points, they deducted 2 points (10%). Since the battery was new, there were no deductions on the 15 condition points. I do not have a copy of the '67 JG, but it could be the same as the '65. This is what is on page 122 of the '65 JG, under Battery & Caps, Section 4:

No Originality Deduction:
Original or original design reproduction (indiscernible as installed) Delco as described in judging manual with, if applicable, appropriate plant and date stamp for the vehicle.

Below that is a table for standard deductions. I believe that the gel battery, correctly date stamped, should receive no originality deductions. That is based upon my interpretation of the above rule. In retrospect, I believe that the chapter Flight judges made an error. I will protest such a deduction, if it occurs, at the next (regional) level judging.

I consider the current gel battery, sold as a repro of the tar top battery, is an "original design reproduction Delco" and "indiscernible as installed" from a 44 year old original. There is nothing in either the '65 JG or the '53-'93 Judging Reference Manual that asks judges to remove battery caps. I have attached a photo of the battery type in question for those who have not seen the gel-type repros.
-Clark

[Patrick H.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

I have a '65 L76 Coupe with A/C that is a chapter Top Flight '09. I bought a gel-type battery because it looks almost identical to the original tar-top batteries. At the April chapter Flight judging, the Mechanical Section Judging Team deducted what they stated was the standard deduction. Of 25 originality points, they deducted 2 points (10%). Since the battery was new, there were no deductions on the 15 condition points. I do not have a copy of the '67 JG, but it could be the same as the '65. This is what is on page 122 of the '65 JG, under Battery & Caps, Section 4:

No Originality Deduction:
Original or original design reproduction (indiscernible as installed) Delco as described in judging manual with, if applicable, appropriate plant and date stamp for the vehicle.

Below that is a table for standard deductions. I believe that the gel battery, correctly date stamped, should receive no originality deductions. That is based upon my interpretation of the above rule. In retrospect, I believe that the chapter Flight judges made an error. I will protest such a deduction, if it occurs, at the next (regional) level judging.

I consider the current gel battery, sold as a repro of the tar top battery, is an "original design reproduction Delco" and "indiscernible as installed" from a 44 year old original. There is nothing in either the '65 JG or the '53-'93 Judging Reference Manual that asks judges to remove battery caps. I have attached a photo of the battery type in question for those who have not seen the gel-type repros.
-Clark

Clark,

Does it actually have tar-like material on top? Or just plastic that "looks like" tar?

If it is just plastic, then it is discernible. Some owners go through the process of adding just a tiny layer of tar to the top to complete the illusion. Those guys should get the credit.

Patrick

[John D.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

At our chapter meet last month we were told specifically by the team leader that peeking under the battery caps to look for gel was a big no-no.

[Ron N.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

Clark, I'm hoping for no deductions with a new Restoration R59 battery but will be "OK" with only 2 points deducted.

John, I will see if the Lone Star Regional judges ask me to remove the caps.

Will let you know how it goes in October.

Ron

[Louis T.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

Ron,

appearanceappearance).





Good luck in October!

Louis

[Gerard F.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

Louis,

Here's the reason I went to a gel battery on my 67:



And here's my original battery tray:



If you drive your car, especially in hot weather, the above is bound to happen with a lead acid battery.

Here's the new R-59 gel battery I put in just about a year ago:



No problems since, but I keep it on a battery minder when it is going to sit for more than a couple of days.

I think I wrongly got the standard 30% deduct on this battery. But that's the way things go.

Still having fun,

[Dan H.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

Got to agree Jerry, repainted/replaced many battery trays. If the battery looks authentic and functions, then maybe we can instigate a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy?
Dan

[Chuck B.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

My R-59 correctly dated/location stamped Restoration gel battery was a zero deduct at the 2008 Denver Regional and 2008 National Convention at St. Charles. We do have a new 1967 team leader since then so I don't know what his policy might be. Might be wise to contact the new team leader to see what guidance he will be giving the mechanical team. The Restoration gel battery has performed flawlessly and I like it much better than the previous lead acid repro batteries I've used.
Chuck Banks

[Louis T.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery



Louis

[Terry B.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

I purchased my R59 Restoration Battery at Antique Auto Battery, Hudson, Ohio http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/ I've had it 2 years and it cranks very well everytime. I was told that the gel batteries do not need to be on a battery tender and I have never had it on one. I believe the battery tenders are for the acid type batteries. Someone please confirm this.

Terry

[Chris E.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

I purchased my R59 Restoration Battery at Antique Auto Battery, Hudson, Ohio http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/ I've had it 2 years and it cranks very well everytime. I was told that the gel batteries do not need to be on a battery tender and I have never had it on one. I believe the battery tenders are for the acid type batteries. Someone please confirm this.

Terry

Terry, I would be surprised if gel type do NOT need a battery tender. I have heard of battery tenders on C5s with gel type batteries all the time.

Someone else will hopefully confirm this for us.

[Glenn S.]

Re: R59 Battery from Restoration Battery

I also purchased a R59 Restoration Battery for my top flight judging about a year ago and no problems yet. Starts everytime without ever using a tender

http://restorationbattery.com/