C2 Original Key Number History Clue?

[Roger P.]

It's Happy Hour on a Friday afternoon ! In addition to being my favorite time of the week, my mail was delivered a short time ago with a little surprise. The oldest known previous owner of my '65 convertible (1987) who I tracked down a few months ago after some "detective" work, was kind enough to mail me the original door/ignition key and what I believe is an older copy/spare. The extra key says, "Taylor Lock Co." and "Phila., PA USA" on one side. The other side has a circle around "B10". I assume this is a copy and means nothing. However, the original key says, "Your Key to Greater Value" and "GM" on the front side. On the back side, it says, "Briggs & Stratton Corporation" on the left side, and "Milwaukee, Wis. USA" on the right side. In the middle of the back side, just below the key ring hole, are four small numbers stamped into the key. Do these numbers give any clue to the original dealer or owner? Or are they nothing more than a code to order a new key in the event it was lost? Unfortunately, he can't find any additional papers for the car as he most likely threw them away when they moved several years ago . To make matters worse, he can't remember the name of the person he bought the car from (it wasn't from a used car dealer). The history trail has hit a deadend in 1987 and I am looking for anything that would help me step back further in time. As we all know by now, most DMV state offices are not that accommodating, nor do they have records dating back for more than about 10 years in most cases. I'm hoping that these stamped key numbers mean something significant.

Thanks for you help,
Roger Piper (50141)

[Peter L.]

Re: C2 Original Key Number History Clue?

Roger - Neat gift from the previous owner. The original keys generally got lost somewhere if the car had several owners.

The 4-digit number on the GM/Briggs & Stratton key KNOCK OUT is the KEY NUMBER and from that number the Dealer or locksmith can find the KEY CODE, i.e. the depth cuts on the key shaft and make a key. From the KEY CODE you'll also know the tumblers that are used in that lock but as far as I know that's the extent of the information you can glean from the KEY NUMBER.

The 65 Corvette came with 2 sets of keys (4 keys total). Two GM/Briggs & Stratton octagon head keys to operate the ignition & door locks and 2 GM/B&S round head (looks more like a pear shape but they didn't ask me) keys to operate the glove box and spare tire locks.

Have fun, Pete

[Roger P.]

C2 Original Key Number History Clue?

Peter:
Thanks for the information. I was hoping that the key code was somehow tied to the original dealer code which would help me with my search for previous owners. If that were the case, I'm sure the "secret" would have been posted a long time ago. Anyway, wishful thinking sometimes pays off -- and it's was pretty cool to slip the original key into the ignition and fire up the engine after being separated for so many years .

Time for a morning cruise,
Roger (50141)

[Alan S.]

Re: C2 Original Key Number History Clue?

Hi Roger,
When you mentioned finding B 10 on one of your keys it reminded me that one of the spare keys for my 71 has B 10 on it too. I remembered the hardware store were I worked had a lazy-susan type rack that sat on the counter near the key machine. I think each side had a letter designation and then numbered hooks for the keys. Who would of thought those keys would still be around and being studied 40 years later?
Regards,
Alan

[Rob M.]

Re: C2 Original Key Number History Clue?

Hey Roger,

Great gift/find! I wish I had original keys . . .

Regarding the history search (and you might have already thought of this) is to ask the prior owner if he can tell you how he found the car - i.e., from a want add. If so, you can do a search at the local library of the newspapers from that time frame to see if you can find the add and go from the info found therein. You never know.

Good luck

[Roger P.]

C2 Original Key Number History Clue?

Unfortunately, although the last known previous owner was nice on the phone and replied to earlier e-mails, he doesn't respond to my e-mails anymore. I could continue to call and bother him, but he's "just not into it" . I wrote him several e-mails, and that's why I finally got the keys. However, he appears to have selective memory loss about how he found the car. He remembers the previous owner, but nothing else that would give me any clues to find him. During my history search, I've added two synonyms to my dictionary for the word "frustrating": DMV and NICB. They both have all the information that we seek, but neither wants to part with it . It really is ridiculous!

The search continues,
Roger (50141)

[Jim C.]

Re: C2 Original Key Number History Clue?

Roger,

I'm glad you found your original keys. Sorry the previous owner can't come up with more old information/owners for you. I had a VERY similar experience with one of the prior owners of my car. I know the guy owned the car, because he was identified by the owner right before him, and the owner right after him. I've emailed and called him several times, but he pretty much ignores me. Unfortunately, I have good reason to believe that he has information that could possibly help me find more owners prior to 1975, which is about where the trail goes cold for me. I found, and talked to every owner from 1975 forward, except this one guy. Some owners have been EXTREMELY interested and helpful, some were cordial and did provide some info and old paper/photos, and then there's this one guy who could care less. The only response I ever got from this guy came when I offered to pay his for his time/old photos/old paper/etc. His only response was, "How much?" I told him it all depended on the info. etc. he provided and was able to verify. He never responded again.

As for the DMV, I think federal law only requires state DMVs and auto dealers to retain records for ten years. Based on my experience in trying to track down previous owners, that's about all they do. Ten years and the records are purged, pitched, tossed out, destroyed - GONE!!!! As for NICB, they DO have the records we seek. Basically, it's when (delivery date) and where (dealership) a particular car was delivered, and that's it. That's not much, but we both know it would be very helpful to know where our cars started out. What I do know is that NICB does have records starting in the mid 1960s, however, there are some breaks in their records (for unknown reasons) during 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967. For example, I'm fairly certain that NICB is missing the last 131 Corvettes from 1966. Give or take, that's about the last day's worth of Corvette production from 1966. Who knows why. These older records are kept on mircofilm. They can be accessed, but NICB has made it a policy not to do so for the general public.

I've pretty much hit a roadblock in my "prior owner search." But, that doesn't mean I've totally given up. I'm hoping for a stroke of luck. I've had a couple along the way. Maybe you'll have another one too. Hey, you got your original keys back!!!! That's a start. Happy driving.

Jim C.

[Roger P.]

C2 Original Key Number History Clue?

Thanks for your replies! The original keys are certainly a neat find, and I appreciate that the previous owner found them and mailed them to me. Maybe he'll wake up in the middle of the night one day with the name of the prior owner on his mind and I'll get that prized next piece of the history puzzle. Who knows? Like you said, I just need a little luck. I am working on a few other angles at this time in an attempt to find more clues, so we'll see what happens. However, it is definitely becoming more difficult as the options are beginning to run out. At some point I might have to find someone in law enforcement to try the NICB for me, but I realize that it is a long shot at best. The history is fun and nostalgic, but I decided not to lose much sleep over it if I can't get any further. The important thing is that I own an amazing car with a known & documented history back to 1987 that my kids and I really enjoy. Hopefully, it will remain in our family for many years -- perhaps even for generations. The best history are the experiences that we're making now !

Good times ahead,
Roger (50141)