1974 XK-E OTS SIII Battery?

You made the call. No one cares what is inside as long as it complies with the former statements. By the way traditional shaped gel cell batteries have been avail for a while. Optima's shape was part function and mostly advertising.

George Camp

According to the latest rule book, any battery which meets or exceeds the original spec and is in the "same configuration" as the original is concours correct, e.g., you can't use side terminals if it had post terminals originally. The rules specifically omit any reference to size but they do prohibit the Optima "fluted" style gel cells. I've heard that gel cell batteries are now available with traditional rectangular cases. I wonder if those would be OK. JCRC? A ruling please (-;

John Testrake
Jaguar Association of Greater St. Louis

I know the Optima is a concours deduct, but is the Interstate, as well? There are no correct Lucas batteries available in the US AFAIK. The repro batteries with Lucas script are the wrong style and size for the later cars.

The E-Type battery is size Group 35. You can get any brand of battery in this size, and slap on a Lucas label (available from your favorite parts house). I use an Exide, which is just a plain black box, once you strip the labels off.

I have used an Interstate for years and they are very reliable. Will get deduct if you are in the Champion class for a Concours. I have a 74 E OTS and 2000 XJ8L.

Larry called me on friday asking this info for you. the concours correct battery listed in the series 3 manual is Lucas CP 13/11/8 for the later cars.

I've replaced the standard battery with an optima gel since many of the regular battery end up leaking acid on the rail frames which are jsut too important to take any chances... but of course, that's a deduct comes concours day...

Pascal Gademer
South Florida Jaguar Club
72 E-type 2+2
00 XKR Coupe
99 XJR