NOS C3 Battery Cables

[William M.]

Positive cable says "COPPER CLAD ALUMINUM"
Negative cable says "COPPER CLAD ALUMINUM - METRIC"
What's the difference?
Are these correct for a '73?

[Terry M.]

Re: NOS C3 Battery Cables

Positive cable says "COPPER CLAD ALUMINUM"
Negative cable says "COPPER CLAD ALUMINUM - METRIC"
What's the difference?
Are these correct for a '73?

I don't know about the "METRIC" designation as early as 1973 -- you will have to get comment from someone more familiar with 1973s for that, but absent that word the "COPPER CLAD ALUMINUM" nomenclature began in 1972.

Back about 1986 or 1988 I wrote a series of stories for The Restorer about the introduction of SST (Sealed Side Terminal) batteries and the cables that went with them. There were several paragraphs about the copper-clad aluminum cables. An associated story by the liason between Packard Electric and Chevroelt at the time gave a first-hand account of the background for these changes, including the introduction of the aluminum cables.

[Joe L.]

Re: NOS C3 Battery Cables

I don't know about the "METRIC" designation as early as 1973 -- you will have to get comment from someone more familiar with 1973s for that, but absent that word the "COPPER CLAD ALUMINUM" nomenclature began in 1972.

Back about 1986 or 1988 I wrote a series of stories for The Restorer about the introduction of SST (Sealed Side Terminal) batteries and the cables that went with them. There were several paragraphs about the copper-clad aluminum cables. An associated story by the liason between Packard Electric and Chevroelt at the time gave a first-hand account of the background for these changes, including the introduction of the aluminum cables.

Terry and William-----

I don't think that "metric" would have been found on any original PRODUCTION 1973 battery cable or, even, any GM SERVICE cable available at that time. It's very possible, though, that "metric" appeared on later-manufactured cables that became SERVICE for 1973.

[William M.]

Re: NOS C3 Battery Cables

I figured the "metric" one was probably a service replacement. Does anyone know when the "metric" designation began?