New Reproduction R59 Battery Needed....

[David S.]

Hi Guys,

I need a new reproduction R59 Battery for a 67 Corvette. I called Restoration Battery this morning and it seems they have a backlog. I'm trying to get a battery sooner than the two weeks they need. Are there any other good correct reproduction batteries out there (I need it dated too)? I vaguely remember New Castle Battery from a few years ago but they were bought out? Any others?

Thanks,
Dave

[Robert B.]

Re: New Reproduction R59 Battery Needed....

Summit racing carries an R59 made by Turbostart - I recently purchased one and it appears to be a correct reproduction.

Part number is ANP-SR59 for $229. It is an AGM battery.

Bob

[Larry M.]

Re: New Reproduction R59 Battery Needed....

Summit racing carries an R59 made by Turbostart - I recently purchased one and it appears to be a correct reproduction.

Part number is ANP-SR59 for $229. It is an AGM battery.

Bob

This company replaced (bought out) New Castle battery. I have not tried one of their batteries. Also, don't know if they date code. Call them and inquire. Let us know what you find out.

Larry

[Kenneth B.]

Re: New Reproduction R59 Battery Needed....

Hi Guys,

I need a new reproduction R59 Battery for a 67 Corvette. I called Restoration Battery this morning and it seems they have a backlog. I'm trying to get a battery sooner than the two weeks they need. Are there any other good correct reproduction batteries out there (I need it dated too)? I vaguely remember New Castle Battery from a few years ago but they were bought out? Any others?

Thanks,
Dave

I ordered one from them back in April & never heard a word since. At firs I thought they maybe having trouble getting the new tar top so I waited for a while. I had to cancel taking my 67 to the AZ. regional so I never pursued it.

[David S.]

Re: New Reproduction R59 Battery Needed....

Restoration Battery is having trouble getting the actual battery that is encased in the Vintage "box". It seems everyone is having trouble getting these. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Dave

[Robert B.]

Re: New Reproduction R59 Battery Needed....

Restoration Battery is having trouble getting the actual battery that is encased in the Vintage "box". It seems everyone is having trouble getting these. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Dave

Dave, I recommend that you try one of the Turbostart batteries. I have purchased three batteries - two R59's for judging my '67, and one tar top for my '66 from Restoration Battery, and none of them lasted more than 18 to 24 months, in spite of the fact that they were stored in near ideal conditions, and maintained with a low current battery maintainer. Further, they each seemed to be very light, and I always thought that they were basically a battery within a battery. But I did not cut them open to confirm my suspicion.
At Hot August nights in Reno two years ago I noticed a vendor advertising classic car batteries, and stopped to check it out. The Turbostart rep claimed that they make their own batteries, that they are not a battery within a case, and that they essentially replicate the original designs, although they use AGM technology instead of flooded lead acid. Without seeing their manufacturing process I can't be sure what the real difference is between what Restoration Battery was (or is) selling, but I can tell you this - the battery from Turbo Start weighs 56 lbs., and the battery from Restoration weighs 33 lbs. We can each draw our own conclusions as to what that means, but it's pretty clear that they are not the same battery. I have not had that battery long enough to determine what it's life expectancy might be, but it is a correct reproduction, although if you order from Summit, you will have to date stamp it yourself.

Hope that helps!

Bob

[Gene M.]

Re: New Reproduction R59 Battery Needed....

Try Tennessee Speed Sport they are on line. got mine (R59 for '67) for I think $224 w/shipping at my door in a week.

PS those are heavy battery's, pain to slip into a mid year. move the H2O tank aside.

[Floyd B.]

Re: New Reproduction R59 Battery Needed....

What about this 3rd outfit we see at all the shows - Antique Auto Battery? They claim to make thier own and include this warranty info on thier website

Warranty
Maintenance Free:
All of our maintenance free batteries have a 48 month warranty pro-rated after one year.

Lead Acid:
All of our lead Acid batteries have a 48 month warranty pro-rated after 90 days.

http://antiqueautobattery.com/batteries.html

[David S.]

Re: New Reproduction R59 Battery Needed....

I couldn't find a phone number for Turbo Start so I have not called them yet...

Antique Auto Battery is out of stock on R59's. They said they build them to order and the earliest it would be is 3 weeks.

I've used a number of Restoration Battery - Batteries and they all seem to work well... I'll try Tennessee Speed Sport though. Gene - Did they date it for you?

Dave

[Gene M.]

Re: New Reproduction R59 Battery Needed....

Dave,
I did not request the date. I will heat stamped it in myself.

[Reba W.]

Re: New Reproduction R59 Battery Needed....

Gene, if you think those batteries are a pain to put in a C2, try installing one behind the seat in a C3.

[Floyd B.]

Re: New Reproduction R59 Battery Needed....

A C4 has that beat. Got'a take half of the front-end apart to change a battery.

[Gene M.]

Re: New Reproduction R59 Battery Needed....

Gene, if you think those batteries are a pain to put in a C2, try installing one behind the seat in a C3.

Reba,
On my 68 I can go straight in or out using a "battery handle". The mid year go in from the side tiped so I can't use the handle. Not a job I ever look forward to. I've used a heavy plastic bag slip the battery into so I could bunch up the plastic so I have handles to hold on to. Cut up the bag when done.