Varta batteries don't fit any more

[Luckyone]

Went to get a new Varta 069 or 072 a few days ago, as it’s well documented on here they are the ones that fit. I started by ringing my nearest stockist as listed on the varta web site & that was where the trouble began. They said the ref numbers have changed for all their batteries (although the varta site still lists the old ones). They managed to find the new number & had one in, but when I got down there I found the terminals weren’t recessed & it had no end lip for securing it. The chap did some more checking & it turns out Varta have amalgamated the 069 & 072 into one new battery. He had a long look though the listings but there was nothing of the correct size with the back to front terminal lay out we need, so as it was the one now listed for the Cerb, Griff & Chimera I thought I’d give it a try. Alas there was no way it was going in so I took it back & the chap did some ringing around & found a different branch that had an 'old' style 072 still in stock, he ordered it over for me & I picked it up today, it fits perfectly...

Don’t know what people will do in the future though, I know there are the more exotic yellow tops & things that will fit but they cost...

One question, can any one tell me what shape the clamp it supposed to be? It is so bent from holding in non standard batteries I’ve forgotten what shape it’s meant to be! Looking at it end on is it a perfect ‘L’? I tried bolting it down like that & it distorted the side of the battery, think I’ll try flattening it out a bit, so it pushes the battery into the wing as well as down.