Attention Spare Tire Lock Gurus

[Sven C.]

Found this lock with a bunch of 1963 parts. No hole or evidence of a hole in the side with the key slot, but there is an approx. 3/8" hole on the end opposite of the key slot. Also, stamped B1 on the unpainted side of the lock. Can't seem to locate any info on this lock and was hoping someone might be able to give me some info on it. Thanks for your help.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Attention Spare Tire Lock Gurus

Sven,

That is a correct early 1963 corvette spare tire lock.

[Gary B.]

Re: Attention Spare Tire Lock Gurus

I agree with Tim about this lock appearing on early '63 Corvettes. To the best of my knowledge, however, the question of what is "early" is not definitively answered. On '63s I would give full credit for such a lock with cars built thru at least the end of December 1962. There must have been overlap between the no weep hole lock and the 1/4" weep hole lock. I have seen cars with early December build dates that had the 1/4" weep hole lock, and I have see late Dec cars with the no weep hole lock. I would give full credit for either style lock for cars built during the month of December of 1962.

Gary

[Sven C.]

Re: Attention Spare Tire Lock Gurus

Tim and Gary thanks for getting back to me so quickly. First time I have seen an "early" lock. The car that it came with was built April 1963, so I am wondering if I used it on that car for judging, (after I clean it up) what kind of deduct would it be given?

[Timothy B.]

Re: Attention Spare Tire Lock Gurus

Sven,

If the lock came with that car I would keep it with the car for sure in spite of what the judging manual says.

[Gary B.]

Re: Attention Spare Tire Lock Gurus

Sven,

The tire lock, boot and keys are assigned 3 points for originality. For an April car, judges will expect to see the 1/4" weep hole lock. At most, a no weep hole lock would garner a 1-point deduct. I'm sure some judges would argue that the lone configuration deviation is too minor for deducting even 1 point. But I would not bet on getting no deduct. If you want to avoid that possibility, change it for a 1/4" weep hole lock. Both locks are similarly valuable, so you might be able to sell the one you have and buy a comparable 1/4" weep hole lock.

Gary

[Sven C.]

Re: Attention Spare Tire Lock Gurus

Thanks for the advice Tim and Gary. Think I will clean it up and keep it on the car for now. If I happen to come across one that is correct for the car, I'll see if I am able to do a swap. Thanks again for your help.

[Peter L.]

Re: Attention Spare Tire Lock Gurus

Sven - I believe that this spare tire lock configuration w/o the drain hole was also used on early 60's Corvairs since they did not have the need for a drain hole.
Pete

[Sven C.]

Re: Attention Spare Tire Lock Gurus

Peter - Didn't know that. Thanks for the info.