Correct C-1 Battery Cap Colors

[Vette66AirCoupe]

I want to buy a battery topper for my '60 283.

http://www.batterytoppers.com/

They offer the following:

° Delco R-59
° DC 12 Black Caps with Yellow "DELCO"
° DC 12 Yellow Caps with Yellow "DELCO"
° DC 12 Yellow Caps with Black "DELCO"


Which one's proper for my car?

[JohnZ]

1960's had yellow caps with "Delco" in black.

[Vette66AirCoupe]

Thanks John, as usual I really appreciate your help.

[loren59]

Would these really pass judging? Or what would be the deduct?

[JohnZ]

The ones that look like a "tar-top" (thru '66) are fairly easy to spot, as the "tar" is smooth and clean instead of rough and dusty. The toppers for '67-up are extremely well done, but a good judge will spot the "hangover" around the edge (and the lack of a date stamp). The deduction depends on what the battery is underneath it.

[loren59]

Thanks, John. Let's say you bought the tar topper and put it on top of an AC Delco battery, what would be the point difference over buying the correct repro battery, on a solid axle? Would you end up with a more dependable battery (to justify the point loss)?

[JohnZ]

The standard deduction for a correctly-sized current replacement Delco battery with appropriate top terminals is 50% of originality points, or a 13-point deduction; you're still eligible for the 15 condition points. I use a $60.00 current replacement Delco (Model #24-7YR) for day-to-day reliability and take the point hit.

[loren59]

Thanks again - I agree that it sounds worth the point hit. I don't want to pay close to $200 for a correct one that's not streetable and which I will have to keep plugged into a battery tender before and after its judged.