RE: [Chrysler300] Replacement Battery

["Bob Jasinski" <rpjasin@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tony and list,
 
I received the following email from George Riehl yesterday in response to my
battery post.  George shares some background on the "Auto-Lite" brand that
was unknown to me prior to his email.  Please read the attached, as a repro
"Autolite" battery, without the hyphen as in "Auto-Lite" is a Ford
replacement and technically NOT correct due to the hyphen.  Due to this
small but important detail, I would say that there really isn't a "correct"
repro battery offered by anyone I am aware of.  I suppose the closest thing
would be the MoPar type with the molded case, but as I said before it's not
what was in the car from new either, as the MoPar batteries offered in the
late '50s and early ''60s used a label, not a molded script.  Does anyone
make a "Willard" group 27???  That would be correct as best as I can tell.
 
Bob J
Hi Bob;

Just a note to set things right. "Autolite" name is not to be used on any
Chrysler product. Reason why? The Autolite name is owned by Ford Motor
Company. (Autolite Spark Plugs, etc.) When Ford bought "Auto-Lite" years
ago, they had to spend over a million dollars to remove the hyphen in
Auto-Lite under the terms of purchase. "Auto-Lite" was exclusivly made for
Chrysler Corp. in the early years. When A-L was sold, Prestolite come into
the market.

"MoPar" (Motor Parts Division) was a division of Chrysler as a supplier of
"rebuilt" parts and other factory authorized parts, not always "made" by
Chrysler. "MoPar" parts could be sold under that name by an "authorized"

independent parts supply house approved by Chrysler. Those suppliers also
had to pay a "royalty" on parts so named back to Chrysler.

It is interesting to note that some cars that are "authentically" restored
show "Autolite" batteries or "MoPar" which are not correct as factory
installed. Willard and Auto-Lite batteries were original equipment up to
somewhere in '63 - '64.

On another note, the 27 series batteries came in two styles, one for Ford,
one for Chrysler. The difference, the Ford pos. and neg. posts were opposite
of the Chrysler posts.

Ah, trivia!

George Riehl


  _____  

From: Tony Rinaldi [mailto:awrdoc@xxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 11:59 AM
To: Bob Jasinski
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Replacement Battery


Hi Bob,

Your reply sure sounds authoritative to me. Founded upon experience and
research.

Autolite may have been in some of these cars, but today in the classic car
enthusiast's world, Autolite=FORD.

The Autolite batteries are shown in Mustangs, TBs, Fords etc.

I am hearing that it would stand out like a sore thumb and people are used
to seeing the Mopar Forward Look battery.

Not that I am looking to be judged at concours, but I am told that points
would be taken off with an Autolite battery????

I usually don't go with the flow all the time as exemplified by liking
Mopars and having a Mac computer.

Sooo, what's a guy to do??

Regards,
Tony



  _____  

From: Bob Jasinski <rpjasin@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2006 18:14:48 -0800
To: 'Chrysler 300 Club' <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] Replacement Battery

As many of you know, I have had an interest in original batteries for our
Brutes for years.  In 1982 I compiled a collection of copies of original
MoPar battery sales literature as offered by the Chrysler dealer parts
department.  I have illustrations of every MoPar battery offered from 1950
to 1965. 

Please note, I am talking about MoPar REPLACEMENT batteries, not necessarily
what was put in the car at the factory.  I can't speak for other years, but
I do know that the 300G had an AutoLite installed from the factory, as the
brand name can be seen in at least one magazine article published when the
car was new.  Also, the AEA Tune up spec's list AutoLite and Willard as the
correct battery for the 1961 Chryslers.  If I was going to seek out the
absolutely most "correct" battery for a 300G (and probably other years) I
would contact the vintage battery companies offering same and buy a group 27
Autolite.  I have seen them advertised in the past year or so and I think
they are available from New Castle battery.

The molded case "MoPar" battery looks nice, but really isn't correct,
because the MoPar script was on a label, not molded in for the years
1958-1962.  That's why I would go for the Autolite if I could find it.
Having said all that, due to the cost of the battery and shipping and all, I
buy generic looking black case group 27 batteries locally and put on one of
the MoPar Forward look stickers I had made up way back in the early '80s.
They look good in the engine compartment and for a car that is driven and
enjoyed I can replace it for about $50.

Bob J   
Danville, CA





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