S1 4.2 Battery

[Cgarside]

Can anyone advise on the correct pattern of battery for a S1 4.2 E Type and a recommended supplier (preferably on the NW)
Regards
Chris

[Heuer]

The S1 4.2's had the same Lucas battery FRV11-7A as the 3.8's. The physical design was changed in about 1966 to one with covered buss bars and the red and gold Lucas badge.




There are several vendors who will supply equivalent look batteries:

Only one vendor supplies an exact physical reproduction: http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/batte ... /G22L.html The white lettering was only on the very early cars, after that is was black.

[malcolm]

I understand why people want their cars to be as original as possible, particularly if their car is concours, but I can't quite get to grips with the idea of batteries being the same as original
Batteries don't last that long. A 1961 E probably would have needed a new battery while still in the 1960's; it may well have been any pattern battery that was fitted. Not sure that makes it less of an E. Obviously the battery has to fit, and fit in the original battery holder ideally, but looking identical to the original seems a step too far for me - just my view of course.
I'd be interested to find out if other members try for original looking batteries or not?

[neil4444]

I love the look of original battery but wanted something modern, sealed & cheap to replace. On my 3.8 I went for an 005R battery & adjusted the standard bracket to fit (removed about 10mm from length).

[Heuer]

I have a modern sealed battery in my OTS (sourced in France after a alternator regulator failure destroyed my much loved 14 year old SBS40). Perfect size but lacking in height so I put a couple of 1" x 1" blocks of wood beneath it to bring it to the correct position. It seems to be de riguer to put the wrong red and gold Lucas sticker on the side after removing all the H&S stickers and makers name, so I did.

In my FHC I have installed one of the Antique Auto gel filled repro battery because it was cheaper than the alternatives (but wrong design) from Lincon, Fosseway or Shield. Best battery if you don't care for originality is the SBS40 because it is half the weight/size and twice the cranking power. Expensive but mine lasted 14 years before the regulator killed it.