1965 GTO Battery
 

Hello, my reproduction DC-12 battery finally died. I know replacements are not available as I have had one ordered from Battery Central Mall since 1/25. Can someone recommend a battery and topper combination that closely resembles the stock battery and fits the stock tray and hold down. I see several vendors who list the toppers at various prices, is one a better quality than the other? Thanks in advance for any and all recommendations, John

Nope. Have one on order for 2 years now. Have bought 2 different toppers, both very thin and not super convincing in my opioion. Save your money and wait for the new DC 12. In the mean time though, Menards sells the Delco batteries fairly cheap and the DC 12 sized one you can peel the stickers off and have a generic flat top black battery.

I believe the DC-12 size batteries are called Group 24 batteries. I believe they are correct size and terminal orientation.

Group 24 is the proper size. Menards most likely has the lowest quality Delco battery (ACDelco Advantage series). These batteries are manufactured in Korea.

I have the 24 Professional Gold series in my GTO - much longer FULL replacement warranty, more CCA's and more reserve capacity. The 9 year old Delco Gold Group 78 battery in my wife's Camaro finally gave up the ghost. The one in my GTO is at 7 years now. The Gold and Silver series are made in St. Joeseph, MO. I have toured the plant in my former life as an ACDelco Warehouse Distributor Territory Manager.

At least with a Delco, you have a battery that is a GM factory replacement for the original tar top battery. Personally, looking at a GM car with a red or green battery just seems wrong to me.

1965 GTO battery
 

Good advice from Cardo. Also consider spraying the 4 sides of the case with rubberized undercoating or black truck bed lining to create a textured look.

Get the NAPA "Legend" battery. :D

The NAPA Legend battery can also have all it's stickers removed and makes a decent looking generic black flat top battery. As a NAPA service account holder, I just can't beat their dealer pricing. I can buy their batteries at near Rural King prices. They have a 3 year no questions asked replacement warranty. The AC Delco replacements are also a very good choice, professional series. As mentioned, the Delco Advantage series like Menards carries is a decent battery, possibly a small step up from Rural King stuff.

I too am not fond of the bright red/yellow/green replacement batteries. The "six pack look" of Optima batteries looks out of place in a vintage car and I have had horrible luck with them in multiple applications.

FWIW - the ACDelco Gold battery has a 42 month full replacement warranty. The warranty can be taken care of at any GM dealer, any ACDelco warehouse distributor or any shop that handles ACDelco batteries.

You won't find a battery that can be warranted at more places in the USA.