R59 battery - original vs. reproduction

[Jeff A.]

Was looking thru some of my stuff, and I noticed a glaring difference in the r59 reproduction battery's.

I have 2 NOS Delco r59's, one is dated A70, the other J71.

Both of these original battery's read "Delco" on the top, while the reproduction batteries and battery toppers read
"Delco Energizer"

Seemed very weird to me...
Is this simply an oversight on the part of the repro manufacturers, or is something else going on with these?

first and second pictures are NOS originals.
third picture is a older repro from New Castle, same as the current repro

anyone have an idea - Are my originals later or are the repros wrong?

[Wayne W.]

Re: R59 battery - original vs. reproduction

Over the counter R59 were not the same as the production battery.

[Jeff A.]

Re: R59 battery - original vs. reproduction

a battery mold is a battery mold - are you sure about this?

Here is an over-the-counter R59S (reversed polarity for Buick)
why change only one of them?

[Terry M.]

Re: R59 battery - original vs. reproduction

a battery mold is a battery mold - are you sure about this?

They had many molds to make the battery cases. They were making them (the cases) by the millions. Do you suppose ALL the molds were the same?

[Jeff A.]

Re: R59 battery - original vs. reproduction

They had many molds to make the battery cases. They were making them (the cases) by the millions. Do you suppose ALL the molds were the same?

Someone just said the production battery was one way,
the over-the- counter was another.

No, you are right - I think there were many variations.
That is why I was asking.
So maybe both styles were used? or maybe one was a R59HD?
Maybe the repro manufactures simply chose the style they liked best?
Or chose a top script which was more common for more applications?
Maybe the Energizer mold was the last used, and that is what was used for the repro?
I don't know....

Does anyone have a picture of a confirmed assembly line battery?
I have 2 examples of actual original Delco produced R59's here,
they are both different then the currently accepted reproduction.

For judging- am I better with a accepted repro, or an original OTC from 1 year later?
What if i can change the date to match my car - then how will it judge?
Will the judges even notice the script is different, or care - or will it judge also correct?

Just wanted to find out a little more after noticing the discrepancy.

[Page C.]

Re: R59 battery - original vs. reproduction

This is a photo of a Delco Energizer battery in a 1967 Corvette that was parked in 1968-69 time period and sat for over 25 years. The battery was split from freezing but the car was a real time capsule. Also notice the original battery cables. The car now has all 5 stars.
Regards.
Page Campbell

[Jeff A.]

Re: R59 battery - original vs. reproduction

Thanks - that is definitely an original battery - you can tell from the fit and shape of the top portion.

So now the question is: how would one of these OTC originals judge?
Also - that one does not have a label to compare.

Possible that both were used?

Here are 2 more pictures of OTC R59S's one is an energizer - one is not.

[Joe R.]

Re: R59 battery - original vs. reproduction

To answer your original question.

Delco Energizers were supplied to 67 Corvettes as they had additional starting power.

The Delco R-59 you have were never intended to be placed in Corvettes.

JR

[Jeff A.]

Re: R59 battery - original vs. reproduction

So the Energizers are really R59HD's.
OTC, you could purchase either one = but the Energizer version cost more.
That is what I thought. Energizers are High Crank versions.
Answered my question.

One more -
Did the GM factory provide HD batteries for all models, or just Corvettes?
Would a 6cyl Nova have received an Energizer from the factory - or was that an option that needed to be ordered?

[John F.]

Re: R59 battery - original vs. reproduction

To answer your original question.

Delco Energizers were supplied to 67 Corvettes as they had additional starting power.

The Delco R-59 you have were never intended to be placed in Corvettes.

JR