Recently something came across travels that got me very excited and prompted me to make an impulse purchase.
Im hoping to get some honest and correct input from the experts on this forum to confirm or deny my original thoughts.
PLEASE be kind.......
regards
PHILL BERESFORD
MELBOURNE.
AUSTRALIA.
Cool battery. Prestolite became Autolite in the 1963-64 time frame. The one you picture is reverse post from a standard Mustang battery. That typically meant that it was for a Mopar or other car line that had the battery on the opposite side of the engine compartment from a Mustang. Back in the day a dry charged battery would last in storage almost indefinitely as long as acid was not added. After the change over to Autolite there were a lot of unsold Prestolite marked inventory that stayed around unsold for years. The change over from a press on vent cap to a screw on vent cap changed about the same time . That undesirable Prestolite and Autolite marked old style batteries with press on caps remained un sold for years. Shelby American bought for 1965 GT350 production unsold pallets of Autolite and Prestolite marked batteries according to factory invoices in the hands of the 65/66 Shelby registrar that had the reverse post and press on caps because they got them CHEAP. ;) Picture is of a NOS dry charged battery like your picture and a promotional Prestolite battery radio that I dusted off for this post.
Quote from: Bob Gaines on June 25, 2025, 11:28:57 AMCool battery. Prestolite became Autolite in the 1963-64 time frame. The one you picture is reverse post from a standard Mustang battery. That typically meant that it was for a Mopar or other car line that had the battery on the opposite side of the engine compartment from a Mustang. Back in the day a dry charged battery would last in storage almost indefinitely as long as acid was not added. After the change over to Autolite there were a lot of unsold Prestolite marked inventory that stayed around unsold for years. The change over from a press on vent cap to a screw on vent cap changed about the same time . That undesirable Prestolite and Autolite marked old style batteries with press on caps remained un sold for years. Shelby American bought for 1965 GT350 production unsold pallets of Autolite and Prestolite marked batteries according to factory invoices in the hands of the 65/66 Shelby registrar that had the reverse post and press on caps because they got them CHEAP. ;) Picture is of a NOS dry charged battery like your picture and a promotional Prestolite battery radio that I dusted off for this post.
Does the Radio still work?
Does the Radio still work?
[/quote]
Does the Radio still work?
[/quote] I just checked and yes. I have two identical radios that I have accumulated over the years(don't ask me why). I also have a third that could be considered a puzzle given the condition it is in after UPS gorillas had there way with the package. ::) I don't think that one will work. ;)
THE ELECTRIC AUTOLITE COMPANY® created or purchased the Prest-O-Lite®, Prestolite®, Auto-Lite®, and Autolite® brand names over a few decades prior to 1962. The Ford Motor Company purchased the Autolite brand name and selected business operations mid-1962.
The 1965 MUSTANG GT350 was not the first Shelby car to use leftover AUTOLITE batteries. Starting with approximately new Cobra CSX2117 during 1963 a 1950s design white and black plastic case model was used in new Cobras. The orientation of post was opposite of that of batteries used in multiple Fords.
(https://www.saac.com/forum/gallery/274-250625120937.jpeg)
Battery for a Cobra sitting on the floor at Shelby American.
(https://www.saac.com/forum/gallery/274-250625121029.jpeg)
I have seen a picture of them in a new 1966 Ford sponsored drag race car too.
A few related collectibles:
AUTOLITE thermometer-2.jpg-PrestoLite and AUTOLITE thermometers-1 - Copy.jpg
^^^ Ha! I just love that sort of stuff.
Thanks for sharing.
- Phillip
...and another:
AUTOLITE Battery stand -1.jpg
Guess that we're just posting and sharing somewhat related pictures. Came in handy when the dealership needed to jump start a car on the lot
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/21/6-270625152240-211561393.jpeg)
Jeff, now you've gone and done it...Something else for me to find!
My contribution..20250629_214324.jpg
Very cool display!