Ignition Key
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,173
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From: Port St Lucie Florida
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Ignition Key
To those who are much smarter than me (not that it takes much!! LOL!) Can you tell me why there are "A", "J", E" etc blanks for my 69? Same coding applies to the "round" key.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 111
From: Saginaw Michigan
This is the information that I have on 1969 ignition and door keys.
There were 8 different key blanks used from 1969 through the mid 1980.
Up until 1974 Square keys were used for ignition and doors. Round keys were used for glove, trunk, and console.
From 1974 onward, square keys were used for the ignition. Round keys were used for doors, glove, trunk, and console.
A, C, E, J blanks were square
B, D H, K blanks were round
Key blanks were as follows:
1967: A & B
1968: C & D
1969: E & H
1970: J & K
1971: A & B
1972: C & D
1973: E & H
1974: J & K
1975: A & B
1976: C & D
1977: E & H
1978: J & K
1979: A & B
1980: C & D
1981: E & H
1982: J & K
Possibly there was some overlap from the 1969 to the 1970 model year. That would account for the possiblity of a J code lock cylinder and key late in the 1969 model year. However, the 1968 ignition lock was located in the instrument cluster. That lock cylinder "C code" would not interchange with the 1969 lock cylinder located in the steering column head. So there could not be any overlap 1968 to 1969.
Jim
There were 8 different key blanks used from 1969 through the mid 1980.
Up until 1974 Square keys were used for ignition and doors. Round keys were used for glove, trunk, and console.
From 1974 onward, square keys were used for the ignition. Round keys were used for doors, glove, trunk, and console.
A, C, E, J blanks were square
B, D H, K blanks were round
Key blanks were as follows:
1967: A & B
1968: C & D
1969: E & H
1970: J & K
1971: A & B
1972: C & D
1973: E & H
1974: J & K
1975: A & B
1976: C & D
1977: E & H
1978: J & K
1979: A & B
1980: C & D
1981: E & H
1982: J & K
Possibly there was some overlap from the 1969 to the 1970 model year. That would account for the possiblity of a J code lock cylinder and key late in the 1969 model year. However, the 1968 ignition lock was located in the instrument cluster. That lock cylinder "C code" would not interchange with the 1969 lock cylinder located in the steering column head. So there could not be any overlap 1968 to 1969.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Mar 16, 2013 at 12:20 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,108
Likes: 4,170
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Java,
The letters as Jim shows refer to the 'key-ways' in the key blanks.
So the RIGHT 'cutting code' needed to be cut into a key blank with the RIGHT key-way letter code for the key to work.
Regards,
Alan
The letters as Jim shows refer to the 'key-ways' in the key blanks.
So the RIGHT 'cutting code' needed to be cut into a key blank with the RIGHT key-way letter code for the key to work.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,173
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From: Port St Lucie Florida
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Hey Jim & Alan - thanks for making the time to answer. The confusing thing is that ZIP shows A, C, E, and J as all 68 - 82 (A is listed as 67 - 82). Paragon shows E & H as does Jim's list for 69.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,108
Likes: 4,170
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi j,
I first looked at my printed Zip catalogue and it indicates the appropriate key-ways for each year.
But the on-line catalogue lists the span of years as you note which is pretty confusing. It's almost like it's indicating the keyway works for ALL those years rather than certain years within that span.
??
Regards,
Alan
I first looked at my printed Zip catalogue and it indicates the appropriate key-ways for each year.
But the on-line catalogue lists the span of years as you note which is pretty confusing. It's almost like it's indicating the keyway works for ALL those years rather than certain years within that span.
??
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 111
From: Saginaw Michigan
I might guess that controlling the actual model year to keyway changes was not a real high priorety. The Corvette assembly plant installed the ignition lock cylinders from 1969 through 1979. (It was an easy, plug-in operation.) Around 1980 Saginaw began shipping steering columns with the lock cylinder installed and two ignition keys in a plastic box attached to the cylinder. I wonder if the Corvette arrived at the dealer with that little boxI attached?
Why waste time at the end of a model year trying to coordinate steering column/lock cylinder inventory and sending back lock cylinders and steering columns when dealers had full sets of key blanks and could easily handle different keys from one year to the next.
Jim
Why waste time at the end of a model year trying to coordinate steering column/lock cylinder inventory and sending back lock cylinders and steering columns when dealers had full sets of key blanks and could easily handle different keys from one year to the next.
Jim
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 629
From: Port St Lucie Florida
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Be wary of catalogue listings. I am not bashing vendors; only saying printed descriptions can be incorrect or misleading. My rule of thumb is that you should know exactly what you want before ordering from aftermarket providers. I learned that lesson trying to scrounge up 68 parts.
