Corvette Key Kock Outs

[Pat F.]

I am preparing an article to explain and discuss the procedures entailed in the initial stamping of the Corvette key knock outs.
I am in possession of some documents that display the key numbers. We all know how the procedure is suppose to work with the dealer knocking out the plugs. Through the efforts of Tom Hendricks I obtained the tool the dealer utilized in knocking out the plugs.
Also it was mentioned that if no knock outs were provided a bar coded strip was included in the owners packet. (See Last Photo)
I would be interested in knowing at what point and who punched the numbers on the knock outs or any other information that you may have. You can contact me at fulassoc@comcast.net if you have documents.

Thanks in advance.

[Edward J.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

Pat, I was last at a Chevrolet dealership in 1987 and the way I remember it was our front office received the package after the sign off from Anchor motor freight dropped of the car at dealership, the office punched the keys and packaged them and assigned a stock number, then locked into a safe until car was sold. Note that each dealer may have done things slightly different. I also remember that sometimes the key knock outs were never removed sometimes.

[Gary B.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

...Through the efforts of Tom Hendricks I obtained the tool the dealer utilized in knocking out the plugs....

Pat,

I think the tool you show is a Burroughs BT-6908. I believe that tool only works for the so-called, large head GM keys that were first introduced for the 1969 model year. Finally, to support what Edwards says, it's been my observation that during the C1 and C2 era, the knockouts were not always knocked out by the dealer. Perhaps that is also true during the C3 era.

Gary

[Pat F.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

Folks, thanks for the information. I am attaching a copy of letter that was sent by Bowling Green to Dealer and set forth information on the Corvette being delivered. You will note on the far upper right the caption-Keys. These numbers are the ones on the knock outs. This letter/document pertains to my 1995. The knock numbers were assigned from the factory.

I will take any additional information that I can get.

[Gary B.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

Pat,

One word of caution is not to assume that the way GM did things in 1995 is he same way they did things in 1955 or 1965.

Gary

[Terry M.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

Pat,

One word of caution is not to assume that the way GM did things in 1995 is he same way they did things in 1955 or 1965.

Gary

Amen to that Gary. Nor did the dealers do things the way Chevrolet office or zone told them to, as has been said further above.

I can tell you how my 1970 keys were delivered, but it is not pertinent to Pat's question regarding 1995.

[Pat F.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

Gary, I assume nothing. This is why I am asking the troops for some input.

I don't trust GM to do the same thing shift to shift.

Pat

[James G.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

IF someone has the Key punchers, the requisite carriages dials and books the codes can be determined by working backwards.

IIRC this was 30 PLUS years ago...
I fleeted and input vehicles for a rental car agency which had 600 or so cars avg so I cut LOTS of keys... I had a 69 L46 vette, plus the franchisee's Son had a couple of 69 Camaro's at the time so I got them to order the 69 Carriages and books, I back tracked the codes on our cars then ended up ordering a couple more years for another couple of cars he picked up.

[Mark E.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

In the Summer of 1965, my mom purchased a new 1965 Impala from Leo Hoffman Chevrolet in the City of Industry, CA. In her case, none of the keys had the knockouts removed. We used them that way for 20 years.

Not a Corvette, but a Chevrolet.

[John D.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

FWIW.. a GM new vehicle dealer invoice from today looks exactly like that one from 1995....

[Pat F.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

Terry, please let us know how your keys were delivered. I am interested in anything that I can get on this topic.

[Terry M.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

Terry, please let us know how your keys were delivered. I am interested in anything that I can get on this topic.

I have my dubts as to how useful nearly 50 year old information will be, BUT since you asked.

One set of keys (there were three keys: rectangular door & ignition, oval glove box & spare tire lock, and a Briggs & Stratton alarm key) had the knock-outs removed from the rectangular and oval key and were presented in a faux leather key holder with the dealer's name and pnone number embossed on it. The other set of keys with the knock-outs still installed were in the glove box in a key envelope.

[Troy P.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

Where can we get the early keys code stamped correctly today? I know the 4 digit number I need.

[Terry M.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

Where can we get the early keys code stamped correctly today? I know the 4 digit number I need.

There are two key people who regularily post on this forum; Try Peter Lindahl or Gary Beaupre. Both can be found on the membership list from the links above.

I know Peter has some stamps, but since I don't know what your definition of "early" might be, you will have to ask them.

[Peter L.]

Re: Corvette Key Kock Outs

Pat - FYI. I addition to the tool you show for removing the KO plugs Borroughs made a tool BT-6908 that was used by the dealers for removing the KOs. Pete
Peter Lindahl (6598)