Pre-'65 GM keys

[Gary B.]

As most of you know, all 1964 and earlier Corvettes came with a pair of identical, octagonal bow keys that operated all locks. Starting in 1965, Corvettes came with two primary keys and two secondary keys. The secondary keys operated the glove box lock and the spare tire lock. Later that changed a bit, but there were still two different keys. And from '65 onward the car came with two sets of two keys, so new owners received four keys in total.

I'm trying to determine if non-Corvette, GM models have the same story. Is anyone an original owner of pre-'65 GM, non-Corvette model car, who has the original keys, and who can tell me if any pre-'65 GM models (non-Corvette) came with two different keys, i.e., an octagonal primary key, and a 3-lobed secondary key?

Gary

[Patrick B.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

I thought 1967 was the first year for A and B keys for different functions.

[Randy S.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

My Father-in-law had the original keys for his '65 Impala SS. IIRC, there were two different keys. That doesn't quite answer your questions, but...

[Gary B.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

Yes, '67 was the first year for A and B keys, but primary and secondary keys (both with Grv 15 keyways) were used on Corvettes starting in '65. So I need to know about non-Corvette, GM cars before '65.

Gary

[Gary B.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

As most of you know, all 1964 and earlier Corvettes came with a pair of identical, octagonal bow keys that operated all locks. Starting in 1965, Corvettes came with two primary keys and two secondary keys. The secondary keys operated the glove box lock and the spare tire lock. Later that changed a bit, but there were still two different keys. And from '65 onward the car came with two sets of two keys, so new owners received four keys in total.

I'm trying to determine if non-Corvette, GM models have the same story. Is anyone an original owner of pre-'65 GM, non-Corvette model car, who has the original keys, and who can tell me if any pre-'65 GM models (non-Corvette) came with two different keys, i.e., an octagonal primary key, and a 3-lobed secondary key?

Gary

Just repeating my question to get this post back to the top of the board. Surely, some DB readers have owned/restored '55, '56, or '57 Chevys or Nomads who can answer my question about keys. Yes?????

Thanks,

Gary

[Jay M.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

I'm the second owner of a 1956 Belair it has one key for all locks.

[Gary B.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

Jay,

Does your '56 Belair have a locking glove box?

Gary

[Edward B.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

In the early '60s I had a ring with about eight B & S keys on it that never failed to open or start every GM product it faced. Wish I could find that key ring today.

[John D.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

I have one correct original key for my 63. I also have one original key with the same numbers on it. Buts it's the roundish key. Works all the locks perfect in my 63. Doesn't it Peter
The key guy. 😂
Carlton was not amused at Marlborough when I showed him the key. But we all laughed later.
Corvair key guys. Has same stamped key code. But I do not know what year Corvair???
John

[Michael J.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

Pete should chime in here, I'm sure he knows all the answers.

[Dan B.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

Just repeating my question to get this post back to the top of the board. Surely, some DB readers have owned/restored '55, '56, or '57 Chevys or Nomads who can answer my question about keys. Yes?????

Thanks,

Gary

I owned several other GM non Corvette cars and I know for sure 1961 had 2 separate keys. I think that was the first year.

[Kent S.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

My '57 Bel Air uses one key for ignition, glove box, doors, and trunk.

[Gary B.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

Pete should chime in here, I'm sure he knows all the answers.

Pete and I have already shared several e-mails on the topic. There seems to be a majority who report just one key. But there is a surprising number of people who say their GM cars from the 50s had a primary and secondary key and the question is are any of those secondary keys original or have some locks been changed. The number of people who claim two different keys is just larger than what one would think would result from changed locks.

Does anyone have owner's manuals from 50s GM cars that show or talk about the keys?

Gary

[Edward B.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

FWIW:

http://www.camaros.org/keysandlocks.shtml

http://key-men.com/cars/chevrolet.html

[Jay M.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

Yes it has locking glove uses the same key.