Anyone know if it's possible to have GM make an original set of keys?

 

Hi DMoon. I don't know if GM does this work, but there are fellow Corvette hobbyists that will clip NOS GM keys for you. PM me if you are interested in getting in touch with someone I know that does it.

Hope this helps...

 

redrdstr72 I like your car

 

I found some briggs & Stratton NOS blanks and cut my own for my 68, OCCASIONALLY I find an old key already cut that I can recut but it's a major crapshoot (I grab them from junkyard and use them to practice with). Supposing you can get ahold of GM blanks, anybody with a key machine could do it (also assuming you have a key to copy). I paid $35 for my key machine at the flea market and see them all the time (nobody uses the old manual ones anymore), for the investment, I have more than made my money back just by cutting my own keys for various projects...

 

GM doesn't keep key codes past 7 years anymore.

Pat's Locks in Falston MD, may be able to cut keys for you. Pat use to make all of the Chevrolet reproduction lock sets, that Corvette vendors and others sell. Pat sold the repro lock business a couple years ago, but I think he still might do some lock repairs and cuts keys.

Pat's number is 410-879-9647.

 

Google "gm blank key" and go shopping?
If it's because you don't have the old keys just buy a new set of door locks and ignition key, gives you the benefit of being able to use the same key for the doors and the ignition

 

I see blanks being sold on websites, but how do you tell what "groove" style you have?

 

I just went to a local lock shop that has a great inventory of key blanks.
They had the correct blanks for my 73 and made a new set of keys for
me. If you have a set, just look at the key and a letter will be stamped
on the key for blank identification. On my 73, the ignition and door was
E (square head) and the rear storage compartment & anti-theft was H (round head).
They had the GM key blanks that were just like my original.

Donnie

 

Early keys had the letter reading correctly with the key pointed down later ones the letter was turned side ways. The 1970 key is up & down don't know when they changed.

 

Hi CPT,
Here's the letter codes.
Regards,
Alan


Primary C 320368 54……...1968
Secondary D 320369 55

Primary A 320588 50……….1971 1975 1979
Secondary B 320589 51……...1983-1986

Primary C 320652 54……...1972 1976 1980
Secondary D 320653 55……...1987-1990

Primary E 320404 56 ……...1969 1973 1977 1981
Secondary H 320405 57……….1991-1999

Primary J 320470 58………..1970 1974 1978 1982
Secondary K 320471 59

 

Keys are Alpha coded by year. For example, the '69-'72+ generation slot configuration is identified by the letter code that's stamped on the shank of the key. "A"(rectangular, ignition and door)/"B"(oval, glove box, alarm - in some cases - and spare tire lock); "C"/"D"; "E"/"F" sets were used in sequence each year by GM. Key sets were alternated so as to protect security, because "cut" codes could be similar or the same. Once you have the correct slot configuration (alpha coded key set), you need to have the cut code to work in your particular lock. A guage is used to identify the cut code if the key's knock out with code info is not availalble. The smith will determine the cut code and then set his key clipper to "cut" the key to the proper configuration. Hardware stores can copy keys by grinding a blank, using a working key as a model.

It's more difficult to explain here than it really is to do. In the end, you need the proper alpha coded blank, Then you need either a model key to grind/copy or you need a guage and a model key to clip the right shape to operate the lock. If judging is important to you, you might want to have your keys clipped, as they are clearly different in appearance when inspected. Knock out are important for judging as well. If judging is not important to you, getting the proper blank, then grinding to copy your model should work well.

Hope this helps.


10:46 AM EDIT: Sorry Alan! I was tyyping my $0.02 while you were sharing codes, applicable years and part numbers. Thanks for that!!

 

http://www.camaros.org/keysandlocks.shtml#systems

that is the site I have copied for an excellent explanation of the key types, codes, etc. don't be fooled by the fact it's a Camaro site, it is relevant for all GM...

 

There is an ebay seller last name Sestack that sells NOS GM key blanks.
I've purchased numerous times form him and have had nothing but a positive experience.
Buy the blanks and go to Walmart. They will cut them off another sample and will be spot on.
If not you need the key code.
Then you have to pull the ignition cylinder and a lock shop can either recode or replicate a key for your original code.
Hopefully you have a least 1 key that fits your ignition and 1 for your door?
Marshal

 

I bought a pair of GM blanks and cut them off of my aftermarket blank...they didn't work. The aftermarket blank has a slightly longer tang from the square head to the flat grooved section. I piddled and filed on it for a while, got it to work once and then gave up.