Antique Auto Battery
 

Anyone call in the last month or so and talk with a real person? messages are not returned. Its the only place that sell GM repo batteries. http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/batteries.html. They say the customer comes first WOW! Did they out of business? Thats where Ames gets there batteries also

Try Tom at http://restorationbattery.com

battery
 

Tom retired , he was getting his batteries from Antique Auto Battery.

Not at all happy with my purchase from them. Battery took a dump in less than a year and it was a major problem to get any kind of satisfaction, they will make you jump thru the hoops. Do not recommend.

Has anyone tried to crack open the case and replace the battery?

They are held together with butyl and have a Odyssey AGM battery inside that can be replaced. Make sure that you are using a charger designed for AGM batteries as well.

So does anyone know of another source for reproduction batteries?

Have you opened one up? Have any pics to share?

Sounds like there is a business opportunity here. A single source supplier that stinks. Poor customer service and a product that is clearly needed. Someone could step in and really fill a void here.

BATTERIES
 

The BBB of Youngstown Oh. cant even contact them for the last seven weeks. showing that people called on Antique Auto Battery.

Antique Auto Battery
 

I have not opened one but was given this information when I asked about replacing the battery when it gets to the end of it's lifespan from the manufacturer.

I have one that lasted 6 plus years, never had it on a trickle charger either. I always put the cars away in October and come April just slow charge and they always work. . I have the old one saved and it’s in the garage gathering dust... Maybe it’s time to dissect it. I always see them at Carlisle. I’ll be there in the Spring. Let’s see what happens maybe they’re somewhere warm for the winter....

Some really good news to post here. I contacted Turbo Start batteries https://turbostart.com/ and they informed me that they will begin selling reproduction batteries again soon. They seemed to insinuate within the next month or so. They had stopped selling due to licensing agreement negotiations. Most of their reproduction batteries are AGM, with a few wet cell batteries due to packaging issues for manufacturing. You will be able to order off of their website or by phone if you prefer.

battery
 

Antique auto battery is again making batteries but still not answering the phones. Turbo start batteries are 2 months away.

A little history: New Castle Battery was the first company to do Delco(repo) tar top batteries That Company is now Turbostart

Good to hear they are back in business and making product. A simple message on a voice mail or web site could have eased everyone's fears. We used TurboStart 16 volt batteries decades ago in the race car. Excellent quality and good service. Even back then, they always seemed to be on the edge of not staying in business though. Seems like it would be a lucrative venture.

Gotta laugh

Antique Auto Battery is a family owned and operated business that was started in 1989. Previous to that year, the owner worked for another battery company and saw the need for “more detail” regarding the battery manufacturing process. Owners of antique and classic cars soon found that the attention to detail, craftsmanship, quality and customer service of Antique Auto Battery was superb.


The positive word spread and people from every state and many countries around the world have purchased batteries from Antique Auto Battery. We have the correct battery for every car or truck, including maintenance free batteries - that look correct on the outside.


The owners of Antique Auto Battery say that “Winners of antique car shows send us pictures of their trophies, plaques and ribbons. We are proud to be a part of the community of old and classic car buffs. Making sure that we offer the correct battery for every application is important to us.

We get a charge out of helping a person get a battery that they are sure doesn’t exist. All of our batteries are hand-made and attention to detail is a very serious matter to us.
Antique Auto Battery has become the nation’s largest outlet for…

Antique Auto Batteries.

Bottom of the battery inside the case itself is in epoxy about 1/2" deep covering the ground connector, which makes it impossible to rebuild. The battery posts are hollow with the cable soldered inside the hollow. I'm done playing

Wonderful, I was specifically told that they were rebuildable by Antique Auto Battery. I guess if they told you the truth they might not sell as many.

How did you get the cover off?

Hacksawed the battery top off about a 1-1/4" down.(from the top) found out the case sides have stops for the lid but it has silicone and epoxy to seal it. If you cut out the top ,you will cut off the stops that hold the lid.

battery
 

Picture shows how thick the epoxy is holding the battery. bottom of the battery case is 3/8" thick ,the rest is epoxy

Wow. What a POS. Thanks for sharing.... stopped me from buying one!

I don't even own a topper for my cars John! Fred

So, what is a good source for batteries for our old Pontiacs. I need the DC12 for my '64. I bought the one in the car from Ames in 2011. It lasted until this spring--will not turn the engine over at all. I guess 7 years is not terrible.

I actually talked to Turbo Start on Friday. They could not give me a ETA on when they will have batteries available. National Parts Depot shows them currently in stock though.

battery
 

Hack sawed pieces back together . used a black super glue, now gotta get a 3/8 piece of plastic to put back in the bottom. splice out the positive lead. the get a Odyssey battery to hook up. Then install the top. lotta labor so far

BATTERY
 

Played around fitting a 3/8" PVC bottom in the case and super glued it into place. turned out well. (2nd photo)Old bottom with battery with a lotta epoxy. Ground wire was 3/4 covered with epoxy. Might try velcro on the new battery . on the bottom and the side that next to the case, Dont know how heat will affect it . Turbostart batteries? are they maintainance free or water and acid?

Great work, I was always curious what these looked like inside.
Are you planning on installing a new battery inside the case or is this gonna be a display only shell now?

Antique Auto Battery was just sold last week, so they are shut down for a while till ownership transfers. Last I heard ,they are a few months behind on orders. I've been waiting since the first of the year. Got a optima battery for now. All battery cases have the indents in them including my 1964 which which should be smooth. If I cancel the order soon I will buy a battery to install inside. Price difference between a new one and my rebuild would be about $150.00 savings. As far as a display You cant seal it up without a battery inside then have to cut it back open again to install the inside battery

New owner is making batteries and the phones are answered.

Try panel bond to glue it back together. Super strong, and black. Any body shop supply will have it. Porsche 911 air boxes are famous for blowing apart from 1973 to 1983. I fix them with panel bond now. No comebacks in 5 years. never had anything else work.

I called and talked to someone at the phone number and it has been bought by Jim Battery and Manufacturing. They are creating a new website but it is not active yet.

They can still build a r59 battery but it takes 4-6 week lead time. They are taking orders now.

Do you have the PH# for orders

this was the number I called. 1-800-426-7580

I have a friend that ordered a battery for his 1962 Chevrolet last spring from Antique Auto Battery, he recieved his battery last Friday

Last year the old owner got sick. The new owner bought them out this year and is getting the back log of orders made and out.