Pre-'65 GM keys

[Gary B.]

[Jaime G.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

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

My 57 150 coupe uses one key for ignition, doors, glovebox and trunk.
Refurbished by Mr Lindhal

[Ray K.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

Gary,

I owned a 1957 Bel Air hardtop with 270 HP V8 for many years. It had a single key for operation of all locks. I still have the key number #8xxx recorded in my papers. If you check Chev passenger car shop manuals ( I have a '57 and a " 61 ) they both make reference in the Keys and Locks description that use of a single key operates all locks. I also have an original 1957 dealership sales catalog ( Passenger car & Corvette ) which also makes reference to the " single key operation ". Hope this info helps .

Ray

[Gary B.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

Thanks Ray. I'm thinking that those who have two different keys have cars locks that have been changed.

Gary

[Dan P.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

I believe the passenger car and Corvette took the same key.

[Peter L.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

Gary - The best I can do is to attached photos of the original keys I found attached under the hood of the 1966 Chevelle we bought in 1990. Pete

[Peter L.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

John - You didn't.
The GM B10 key w/the octagon shaped head & the GM B11 key with the rounded head only differ by the shape of the key's head & the grooves on the key shafts were the same so the B10 keys & the B11 keys could be inserted into the pre-1967 GM car locks but the cuts on the key shafts had to be the same or match for the keys to operate the lock. Both the GM B10 & B11 keys used the same "Key Series" from 8000-9499 & so there were B10 & B11 keys that the cuts on the key shafts were the same & would have been stamped w/the same KEY # on the KNOCK OUT. Pete

[Troy P.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

According to the 55 Chevy passenger car shop manual, although the glove box lock was a different design than the ignition, door and trunk locks the "locks are all coded the same allowing a usage of one key for all locks on the vehicle."

[Troy P.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

As Pete and I discussed today, I'm trying to settle on the details of the 63 key. Certainly the car used just one and it has an octagon head. But what are the other essential details? I could not find anything on keys in the 63-64 TIMJG. Certainly no photo.

R or no R? Made USA of not? Other important characteristics?

[Rich G.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

I just bought a pretty original 1963 Corvair Monza Convertible. One key does it all. Trunk, ignition, doors, glove box and spare tire lock. Hex key.

Rich

[Troy P.]

[Harry S.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

Troy, from the research I did a few years back this is the key I got for my July 63. No deductions.

[Hank D.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

As Pete and I discussed today, I'm trying to settle on the details of the 63 key. Certainly the car used just one and it has an octagon head. But what are the other essential details? I could not find anything on keys in the 63-64 TIMJG. Certainly no photo.

R or no R? Made USA of not? Other important characteristics?

Please see page 27 of the 63-64 TIMJG for information on the two identical keys provided.

[Troy P.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

Your key does not have "Made USA" in the B&S logo. I have one key blank that has it and one that does not. Also the one with "Made USA" in it has a different shaped ridge around the knock out.

Given the lack of detail in the TIMJG it might be safe to say the judges won't know much more than B&S and octagon.

On a slightly different subject, I've found that I am not the only one who didn't know there was a left and right door lock when I reassembled my car. If you don't know that you have a 50/50 chance of getting it right. Of course I came out on the wrong side of the odds and the key turns toward the rear to unlock the doors. Should turn toward the front.

[Gary B.]

Re: Pre-'65 GM keys

Your key does not have "Made USA" in the B&S logo. I have one key blank that has it and one that does not. Also the one with "Made USA" in it has a different shaped ridge around the knock out....

Troy,

I know that the keys WITHOUT the Made USA are correct. To the best of my knowledge, keys with Made USA in the log-shaped region are older and they pre-date Corvette, and are therefore not correct for judging.

Gary