Re: [Chrysler300] Replacement Battery

[Dave Geise <daverg1@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bob Jasinski wrote:

>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
>
>
>
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
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>
>
>
>
>  
>
Bob and group,
     I have a Willard group 27 in my "C" supplied by Antique Auto 
Battery, Hudson, Ohio.  I am
on my second battery since resto in 2000.  Hate to throw those hard 
rubber cases away but they
won't rebuild them. This is the closest thing to a true tar top that is 
available.  As you probably  know, the filler material is a poured 
urethane that is hard with the appearance of a soft top.  As of
a year ago, they were still available.

                       Regards,
                       Dave Geise  - NJ



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