Hello! When I was a kid my dad had a 1979. I always wanted that car because I thought we were super cool. At one point I asked for it and surprisingly enough he gave it to me. What he did not tell me was that he had smashed it. It has a 383 stroker in it so I kept the car even though it was not drivable because it has a bent frame. I ended up getting a 1977 with the thoughts of putting the 383 stroker in it. My stepdad felt that I should keep the 77 all original because it was when I bought it. Needless to say, I ended up getting married and leaving both cars set up at my stepdad's house. He would start them once in awhile but for the most part they just sat. Unfortunately, he passed away last september. The attorney and the realtor want me to get these cars out. I thought the car with the bent frame would be a problem. I had anticipated putting the keys in the 77 and loading it up on a trailer and taking it home. Well guess what, we cannot locate the keys for this car. The 79 had a broken steering column so I was able to easily push it up into an enclosed trailer and take it home. That was the car that I thought would be the problem. I called 3 dealers about getting keys replaced, only to be told that that they do not go back farther than 1990 and I'm out of luck. The keys have to somewhere, but now I'm in a time crunch. How can I get this car loaded on a trailer? Are there locksmiths that can make keys? I'm assuming I'll have to get a new ignition. This is so upsetting. I just need to be able to push it on the trailer. It has crank windows so I'm hoping I can open it that way but how to get it in neutral.

A picture from before it sat for 10 years.

 

You should be able to just shift it into neutral, the key interlock only prevents steering after about 1976.
M

And try thumping on the t-top about where the latches are located, front and rear, try both sides. If they aren't adjusted super tight sometimes they will pop the latch open on one of the corners and you can usually get them to come off
M

 

Worst case, you could buy two wheel dollies from Harbor Freight and put them under the front wheels to move the car around. Jerry

 

You can get it in neutral by unhooking shift cable on the transmission

 

If you have a local lock smith that does mobile service it shouldn't be a problem. I've watched the lock smith and what they do is insert a blank key in the lock (door and ignition) and turn it back and forth. The tumblers? leave little marks on the key and the lock smith starts cutting the key a little bit at time until it works. Took him about 15 minutes for both door and ignition keys.

 

the keys are probably on top of a hanging shop light, in a jar, or in the car some where. good luck I hope you find them But a good locksmith should get you going

 

Any good lock smith can get you into the car and have a door and ignition key made in less than an hour.

 

This is true. I've done it. Its the way to go. If you care, you might want to ask in advance if the locksmith has GM original keys on hand (doubtful), or else order some GM keys off, like Ebay. That's what I do. Not really that much more than universal blanks and a really nice touch. Also, the dealer would have probably charged you an eye-watering amount to do new keys anyway.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373091111196

If the locksmith 'cuts' the key vs making on a hardware store grinder that's a better way to go anyway. If the locksmith gives you the code, and you put it in a place you'll remember, you can take a GM key blank to him any time and he can 'cut' them with the code you give him. "Cutting" uses a special 'nipper' which more precisely pops chucks out of the key.

 

I just wanted to update. I banged on the t-top and got it open. The door was actually unlocked. The door handle was full of pine needles and wouldn't open anyhow. The passenger door handle is not working at all. The keys were in the pouch! Everything worked out!

 

good chit mon! give it a bath and post pics.