Delco-Remy 558 DC-12 Battery
In 1962, Pontiac started using the 558 DC-12, which was much more powerful than the 12V battery used in previous years. However, it still retained Group 24 size specifications. The case has both 558 and 559 stampings (see Frequently Asked Questions for explanation). The 558 DC-12 battery employed offset top covers to enable increased capacity without enlarging the case. Top covers are the areas that protrude out of the tar (on top of the battery, which the vent caps screw into). Prior to 1962, the batteries used centerline top covers.
This battery also used yellow vent caps with "DELCO" painted in black.
This same 558 DC-12 battery was used in Pontiacs through 1966, with the following minor changes. On July 16, 1962, General Motors chief designer Bill Mitchell requested that the yellow vent caps be replaced on all Delco contract batteries, stating that the yellow was distracting from the beauty of the engine. Thus, all Pontiacs assembled after December 31, 1962, had batteries with black vent caps and "DELCO" painted in yellow.
In 1966, Delco-Remy added a flange to the bottom of the 558 DC-12 battery, without retooling the case. The GM Part No. also changed to 1980506. This flange is actually an indentation in the bottom (front and back), to enable the use of the new bottom battery hold-down clamp. Though Pontiac did not use a bottom hold-down clamp in 1966, all Delco-Remy batteries were produced with the flange.
Physical Features
Delco 558 DC12 • GM Part No. 1980558 • 1962-1966
The upper edge of the case was stamped CAT. NO. 558. It was still not visible when installed. The front of the 558 DC-12 appears very similar to the 458 DC-12 with several changes in the wording molded into the battery. The upper front area of the battery is still flat. In the center of the flat area (inside an indentation) is the number 559. In the center of the stippled area, (still in flat lettering) reads "DELCO DC-12 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT LINE POWER RATED." The lower front has a smooth area, with a large and a small indentation. Inside the large indentation reads "STARTING POWER RATINGS (300 AMPS. AT 0 DEGREES F) CRANKING MINUTES 1.6... VOLTAGE AT 10 SEC. 7.7." Inside the small indentation reads "AMPERE HOUR RATING 61."