I am a little confused, I thought key codes for 1968 were C and D. Mine are C door locks and J ignition. Based on the fact that 68 ignition were one year only (?) and mine is a J....just a little confused. The J blanks still have the key code in the key ring knockout and are square, the locks don't and are also square.

 

I'll take a shot at answering your ?
I'm an old GM parts counter man.
We used to hand cut keys with a key tool and boxes of blanks.
We had to look up the key code and set the hand held cutter to the 5
numerical cuts unique to that code, wrong blank and it wouldn't work.
First off the key blank displayed is 1969 to present blank.
When they went to the locking steering column and moved the
ignition to the column they made the ignition key head square so it would be easier to grasp.
For 1968 you should have a hex head key for the doors and ignition.
The rear compartment lock and spare tire lock should be a rounded
style head.
Yes they were paired alphabetically.
A & B, C& D.....etc.
The idea was I shouldn't be able to take an A door key and have it fit another GM product in a parking lot somewhere. In theory???
Key codes did replicate as did any sequential numbers do in production. By changing the blank it allowed GM to begin a new series of key codes over again.

Even if you use a square headed later style key it should be a C blank.
Probably the key or ignition tumblers are so worn it accepted the J blank.
If memory serves the blanks were just enough off from one another that when we used the wrong blank by accident, the key would go in but not turn.
If you look on ebay there are reproduction Briggs & Stratton key blanks specifically for 1968's. You need a C & D blank.
Just take them to Wally mart and get them cut.
Hope this helped ya out a little.
Marshal

 

Thanks Marshal....I remember seeing a hand key cutter at an old dealership in the 80's.

 

As Adam (Marshal) stated, 68 door locks and the original ignition switch used the same key. Your ignition switch lock must have been changed at one time. It is possible to re-code the ignition lock. I did mine years ago when my switch died. Be aware that unless you have an original NOS 68 ignition switch, all of the reproduction one's do NOT have the extra key slot lamp holder molded onto the metal ignition switch housing. Lou.

 

Well that's weird then too, because I have a lamp holder and a bulb and socket in the back of my ignition switch....so probably original.

 

I now who to speak with about my door lock, ignition lock, key questions. Very helpful data and amazing what we learn about the cars and their owners here on the forum. How cool.
Springfest is May 1, will you be there? Sparty will.
Thank you Adam.
David

 

Steve, I should have also said that you could buy from the dealer and change only the 68 key tumbler assembly. You did not have to buy the whole switch. You are lucky to have your original 68 housing.
If you have the time, you should read my thread " A long time chrome bumper owner speaks" in CF C-3 general forum. I also added the two " missing " rear brake light fiber optic monitors on my coupe that I have had for 43 1/2 years now. Lou.

 

Thanks to all for input...I ended up finding an ignition cylinder on eBay from a super seller who is going to recode my purchase from him to my existing door key!! Score! He also had the correct D code glove compartment cylinder as well.
I wanted to pass on his name....definitely on the restorers side. Thomas-j-sestak autoparts if you search on eBay.

 

Thank you, will give it a try.
Appreciate the help.
David

 

David,
Glad you found my old experiences working at GM useful.
Springfest??? Please enlighten me.
Marshal

 

I too have purchased key blanks from this seller on ebay.
He is very good.
Marshal

 

Looking back the whole parts dept thing was of no collector value to a 17 year old college freshman. An after school job only my mom found me in the newspaper. Yeah I know my mom. Oh well.
Now, I wish I would have saved some of that cool old dealer stuff we threw out back in the dumpster.
If we couldn't return it to Lansing, MI it got written off at annual inventory time.
I remember 442 trim with an inch of parts bin dust on top of it being canned.
We didn't care at that time it was obsolete
I'd like to have my old key cutter and a whole lotta blanks cause at a cruise night I bet I could show todays car yuts how it was done back in the day.
Marshal

 

I'll send you a PM.
David

 

I got it thanks
Marshal

 

This is an interesting topic as I am in the same boat. My 1968 door lock is a "C" key blank and my ignition switch is a "J" key blank. Ive lost the keys or never had them as I bought the car as a project. I also have what appears to be an original ignition switch with the hole for the light bulb.

Cant think that my car came with a J blank ignition, but it sure seems strange that we had the exact same problem.

My local locksmith does not have information going back prior to 1973 to use the code on the side of the door lock to be able to make me a key from that code. Does anyone know where I can find that information to give him?

bigredbrad

 

I found luck with the Ebay seller i listed above....i sent him my J key and he cut me a C key and sent it along with a new cylinder coded the same as my doors.
Steve

 

I remember going to a Chevy dealer in the early '70's to purchase a set of blank keys and having them cut. The parts guy looked at my old keys and he could make copies by just looking at them. He punched them out and they fit perfectly.

 

My 68 convertible also came without keys. I did some research and found that the code for the key, ignition and door lock, could be found on the passenger side door lock. I removed it and took it to a locksmith. Luckily, he had the information and was able to cut me some keys. It seems that another locksmith may be able to help you. I'd make some calls to other ones and maybe you'll have better luck.

 

Hi
I am located in Switzerland and own a 1968 Corvette Convertible big block without door keys. I open the door and took out the lock.
The code on the lock states 9P89 - do you have any idea where I can keys from. In Switzerland no locksmith who can produce a key.

Thank you for your help! Karl

 

Guys:
I was looking into further finishing some smaller details on on '68 and have a few questions. First is probably simple stupid but I checked my manual and there is nothing on page 38 on HOW TO lock the doors. I do know I have an original C style key (even though the actual key is square not octagon shape).

So three questions:
(1) How to check and lock the doors with ignition key
(2) If locks do match, can I just buy a few new octagon C-Blank key from the corvette websites and take them to Ace hardware for keying?
(3) I have no key for rear compartment cylinder that present on the unit...should I just get a new cylinder with matching key? (Also...do you get 2 cylinders for the spare tire lock too)

Thanks for the help as always...