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Hi guys I just picked up a 1975 corvette stingray in what seems to be half decent condition. My problem is I need to get it delivered to my house on a flat bed or trailer and I don't have the keys to it. How do I unlock the steering or get it out of park so I can load it on the truck. I have no experience with these cars at all so any help will be appreciated. Thanks
I have to ask the otherwise obvious question. Why did the seller not have keys to the car?
The seller is actually my boss and he somehow lost the keys over the time he had the car in storage. He has bought a new drum and key set so I will be replacing it myself. I just want to be able to get the car to my house first but as it stands I can't steer it or take it out of park. Do you guys think the tow truck company would know how to work around this since they do pick up all types of cars that are parked on the road and tow them away without keys as well.
By the way the doors are not locked so I do have access to the inside and yes I am the new owner of the car and have the ownership to it just in case anyone has any ideas.
Drag it on the flat bed get it home, then you can take it apart if you have to.
Or go to or call a lock smith for advice. The door lock key may not be the same as ignition, My 75 has 2 different keys doors & ignition.
How long has it been sitting?
I just did a 75 that sat for 19 yrs. I could give you some suggestions.
Chuck
I have seen towing outfits use wheel dollies to load cars onto flat beds that cannot steer and/or are stuck in gear. Give them a call and see if that's an option.
Drag it on the flat bed get it home, then you can take it apart if you have to.
Or go to or call a lock smith for advice. The door lock key may not be the same as ignition, My 75 has 2 different keys doors & ignition.
How long has it been sitting?
I just did a 75 that sat for 19 yrs. I could give you some suggestions.
Chuck
Thanks for all the help guys I'm gonna look into all those options and see what I come up with. Apperently the car has been sitting for about four years now so I hope it's not too hard to get her to fire up. I'd really like to hear how Chucks restoration went and see if I can take advantage and pick his brain for some valuable advice. Let me know how we can arrange that. I'll keep you guys posted with the progress. Thanks
Thanks for all the help guys I'm gonna look into all those options and see what I come up with. Apperently the car has been sitting for about four years now so I hope it's not too hard to get her to fire up. I'd really like to hear how Chucks restoration went and see if I can take advantage and pick his brain for some valuable advice. Let me know how we can arrange that. I'll keep you guys posted with the progress. Thanks
Before you start it change all fluids, take the spark plugs out to squirt some oil in the cylinders so you don't damage the rings, also pull the distributor and prime the oil system
my 81 must be effed up, if I want to put it in gear I just push the button on top of the selector and move it to neutral, no keys needed...
in any event the tow company will know how to get it into neutral if they're reputable..
and unless the wheels are turned one way or the other that shouldn't be an issue either.
Cordo
Follow what Airbore suggests 1st. Get the engine running, take all the brake calipers apart, determine if they can be rebuilt or replaced with new or rebuild. These brakes go bad if not driven, I used Lone Star o ring seal rebuilds. 1 year now no issues about $100 per wheel. I f the E brake is frozen that's more work.
Chuck
Aug 2 2014
October 15th 2015<br/>Great 5 footer & fun to drive too
You can do what my boys did.... when my 17 year old bought a 74 Camaro with no keys, his 15 year old brother removed the horn cap, steering wheel, turn signal switch, popped out the lock cylinder, replaced the switch, steering wheel, and horn cap.... in less than 5 minutes.
The tools he had to work with was a wheel puller, a phillips screw driver, vice grips, and a jack knife! That`s all it took to unlock the steering and shifter so we could get it up onto the trailer.
Cordo
Follow what Airbore suggests 1st. Get the engine running, take all the brake calipers apart, determine if they can be rebuilt or replaced with new or rebuild. These brakes go bad if not driven, I used Lone Star o ring seal rebuilds. 1 year now no issues about $100 per wheel. I f the E brake is frozen that's more work.
Chuck
Aug 2 2014
October 15th 2015<br/>Great 5 footer & fun to drive too
Thanks for the advice. Your vette looks sweet did you use the original rear bumper on it? Also I'm new in this but what is a 5 footer?
I used a later rear bumper with built in spoiler about $300
Nice thanks for the translation. $300 seems pretty cheap for a rear bumper. Do you live in the US cause up here in Canada things are a little more expensive than that.
get a flat bed with a chain and hook and drag it on.
New corvette owner
I've been called a lot of things but never a bore 