It should also be mentioned some original Autolite batteries had the raised letters of the logo painted red/orange and some were left un-painted. The differences between the two are clear. The second photo is of the current reproduction AGM '68 - '71 Autolite 24F. This version of the Autolite battery was used from 1965 - '67, possibly '64 as well. The group 22 was not used in Thunderbird's, but it had the same basic appearance as the other batteries, it was just smaller.

The first photo is of a NOS 1966 Autolite sta-ful group 22 battery. Instead, there was this warning cast in relief that was painted yellow and read CAUTION TO PREVENT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DAMAGE WHEN USING BATTERY CHARGER OR BOOSTER ALWAYS CONNECT - POSITIVE TO POSITIVE NEGATIVE TO NEGATIVE.ĭifferent colors of caps were also used depending primarily on the size or amp rating of the battery. Prior to that, there was no service date sticker. The service date sticker located between the posts that you see on top of the reproduction battery was first introduced in 1968. The same holds true for the reproduction Autolite 27F, it's the 1968 - '71 version.Įarlier Autolite batteries differed somewhat from the final '68 - '71 version. This 1968 - 71 style AUTOLITE 24F battery is NOT factory correct for any Ford product older than '68. That same case design has been reproduced ever since that time, being offered by various companies since New Castle went out of business years ago. I believe it was originally produced by the New Castle Battery Company back in the 1980s, using a NOS 1968 Autolite Sta-Ful 24F battery as their prototype. One thing everybody considering the purchase of one of these reproduction AUTOLITE batteries should know before exchanging some serious cash is that the reproduction battery on the market is actually a 1968 - '71 version of the Autolite battery.

65 thunderbird engine bay