I spent (wasted?) most of yesterday restoring this old battery that came in an old 55 chevy I have . The car was last registered in 1967 so I would think the battery predates that by a bit. I cut the top off and pulled all the plates out. Then repainted the lettering. It's not good for anything but looking at, but when I had it apart I was thinking how cool it would be to hollow it out and put a new high powered mini battery inside it to make it function, and mount it in a car that would show it off well. It could be the last detail for your vintage car. (instead of the common repro batterys)
I think I know where this is coming from, given your username. Seriously, your battery does look great, and will fit in a period car nicely.
Looks great. The vintage motorcycle guys hog out old batteries all the time and fit new ones inside. They even make new old cases.
There are "tar top" battery simulators made to make your newer battery look like an old tar top battery. Slips on top over the posts, and there you go. Now be honest; how did you dispose of all the hazardous material, acid and lead you removed from the old battery? Just yankin' your chain. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
Wasted time???? I don't think so. That's an ambitious undertaking and I applaud your end results. That turned out nice.
Someone Google American Battery Restorers Club, looks there will be a new member in Utah. Nice work! Bob
Great idea, I've seen those covers for die hard restorers. Thought about doing the same for the 6v brick in my 46 Olds
Got any more 'dumb' things that you want to share ? I like it. Little touches like this can be missed by most observers, but just 'finish' the car!
A long time ago I crossed paths with a guy who had the real battery in the trunk ... his empty Exide up front was used to carry other things.
now you've gone and done it. next thing you know you will find another cool battery, then another, soon you will have a giant collection of restored batteries in the garage
You got some 'splaing' to do Lucy,, What did you use to make the case look new? How did you cut off the top and reseal??
If you can some of the real early ones with glass cases they could be converted to light fixtures. Not by me, someone that understands that mystery. Bob
I have had a old Prestolite 6 volt for about 10 years, planning to do the same. Maybe now that I see yours, I will get around to it.
Those glass wet cells were very cool, they were made for household power not vehicles. An old friend had a set on his farm, they had a Delco gas powerplant before hydro was available. Later he built a wind generator out of a Cadillac car generator and a propeller he carved himself. The cells could be rebuilt over and over by putting in new plates and fresh acid. The jars were made of thick glass.
Years ago it was common have small shops that rebuilt battery's. They would replace a bad cell with a good cell from another battery. They were able to return better than 80 per cent to working order. In the early 60's a 6 volt cost 5 dollars plus tax and a core that they could use. . 12 volt were 8 dollars and fifty cent. I bought several as these were all I could afford. By the mid 70's this was no longer done in my area. .
The Jalopy Journal
