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T-top locks

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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 09:42 PM
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Default T-top locks

I recently bought a used pair of chrome T-top locks in San Diego at Big 3 Auto from a C-3 vette guy. The keys were missing. He advised that he had them at home, he has not returned my calls or emails, I guess, I learned my lesson on buying from this guy. Any help on getting keys made for these? I am also new to forum. I bought a 70 recently and have not learned to posts its pictures, sorry.
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 09:49 PM
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Any competent locksmith can make keys for those but it won't be cheap. I'd guess $100. Welcome...
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 09:51 PM
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Locksmith, should cost about $15 - $25 bucks, if they want more than that try another.
I believe it takes awhile before you can post pics (I might be wrong).
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 09:52 PM
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thanks
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 11:41 PM
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I used to have those locks on my tops, too, or something like them. Got tired of the hassle and quit using them. (shhhhh... don't tell anybody my tops aren't locked down!!!)

What I remember about them was that they were the type where unlocking the tops meant actually removing the lock cylinder from the case, exposing the guts of the lock. I recall thinking that these were really very simple little locks, maybe 4 or 5 stacks of wafers in the cylinder, so any locksmith ought to be able to handle it, for lunch money. Good luck!
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Old Mar 10, 2005 | 02:03 PM
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If your windows are rolled up, how is anyone going to swipe your t-tops? Never have given it a second thought.
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Old Mar 11, 2005 | 05:08 PM
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Back when T-Tops were very marketable, "they" would just kick in your windows to get at the tops. These days, not really worth stealing.
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Old Mar 11, 2005 | 11:52 PM
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A couple of years ago, I got a set the same way -- no keys..........
went to a couple of lock shops and was told because of the angle
between the lock and the shaft, there was no way keys could be cut for them. I haven't done anything yet, but I going to replace the lock shaft with a new one and bolt the swivel piece back on instead of the rivet, which holds it on now (for security purposes). Let me know what you get worked out. Rick
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Old Mar 12, 2005 | 01:03 AM
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Originally Posted by ruby76
If your windows are rolled up, how is anyone going to swipe your t-tops? Never have given it a second thought.
Coat Hanger. its so simple to break into a corvette its not even funny. ive had to break into my own vette like 20 times cuz some jerk-off thought it would be funny to mess up my handles, so i had to go through the t-tops.
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Old Mar 12, 2005 | 05:17 AM
  #10  
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From: "Too Low, Too Fast, Too Loud" TX
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I have heard..all you have to do is take a striaght ended screwdriver...vs. a philips and slide it between the top of the glass and weather stipping and up under the latch..slowly lift up on the *** end of the screwdriver and pop..that latch comes down and the top is loose..this is how one of mine was almost stolen years ago. Hopefully, only my vette bretherin are reading this... :o Of course I did not have my t top locks on at the time, as they were off the day before for a long cruise...anytime u see my tops on the locks are on it. Joe!
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Old Mar 12, 2005 | 06:56 AM
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When my door mechanisim had all the gunk, and didn't open I use to get in thru my T-tops
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Old Mar 12, 2005 | 07:15 AM
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when i bought my car the first thing that i did was have a new set of keys for the car made .because i had the key for the t-top lock ,it was easy for the locksmith to find a key that was very close to it .when he was done with it .it looked and work like the original.cost $5.00 .find a good locksmith .p.s. locksmith asked what is this for i said a corvette ,his reply i love corvettes.most car guys are verry happy to help
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Old Mar 12, 2005 | 12:32 PM
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Thanks to all, I was able to get an estimate for $15. After reading these responses, I do believe they are worth using.
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