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69 lost oval key

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Old Dec 3, 2018 | 07:03 PM
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Default 69 lost oval key

last year I removed my spare tire, fast forward to yesterday i noticed my lockable compartment behind the seat was locked. I grabbed my keys and noticed my oval key was missing, looked under the car and the spare tire lock was also missing. Assuming i don't locate lock & key is there a way to remove or open the little compartment without tearing it up? My schedule and the weather aren't conducive to driving it to the lock shop.
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Old Dec 3, 2018 | 07:51 PM
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The square head key worked the ignition and doors up through 73 And the round head key was used for the storage compartment, alarm, and spare tire lock. In 74 they changed to the round key also working the door and the square key working only the ignition. So... my advice would be to pull (if you have the alarm) alarm cylinder and look for the 4 number/letter code on the side of the cylinder. If you don't have the alarm you're going to have to force the rear compartment lock open and see if the code is there. If it's there and/or on the alarm cylinder then take this to a lock smith and have them cut a key. They should have the books to convert the code to a six cut key. I have some original rcu locks in the shop and I have some original alarm switches as well... tomorrow if I get time I'll verify the code is stamped on the cylinder. I'm sure it's stamped on the lock cylinder, but not so sure (so before you tear into something).... give me a chance to check.

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Old Dec 3, 2018 | 09:08 PM
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Thanks for your always good advice! We've got a good lock smith locally, but they've already salted the roads. Since i don't have an alarm, looks like I'll be trying to jimmy the compartment open if i don't find the key soon. Any advice on the compartment? Will the frame and lid separate enough to open with careful "jimmy-ing" ?
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Old Dec 3, 2018 | 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by scotty t
Thanks for your always good advice! We've got a good lock smith locally, but they've already salted the roads. Since i don't have an alarm, looks like I'll be trying to jimmy the compartment open if i don't find the key soon. Any advice on the compartment? Will the frame and lid separate enough to open with careful "jimmy-ing" ?
Scotty... it's my pleasure...Honestly, lets wait till I can check out an original lock to see if the number is on there... If it is we'll move forward.... I'm sorry, I just don't remember if the code is on the cylinder on the rcu lock. I've got plenty of examples to look at tomorrow and will post back. Or maybe someone will post up before I check...

Willcox

Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Dec 3, 2018 at 09:31 PM.
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Old Dec 3, 2018 | 09:51 PM
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Maybe you can get locksmith to stop by with his buzzy gun to open one or both compartments. Tell him you are bringing him cylinder for key work. 20 to 50 bucks fee might be better than damaging stuff.
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Old Dec 3, 2018 | 10:42 PM
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I honestly never thought of a house call! Might just work without any damage.
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Old Dec 4, 2018 | 07:17 AM
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Default Flat side of key up or down on door lock

While on the key subject for a 69 is the flat side of the key up or down on the door locks?
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Old Dec 4, 2018 | 08:14 AM
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Originally Posted by dyerk
While on the key subject for a 69 is the flat side of the key up or down on the door locks?
Up.
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Old Dec 4, 2018 | 08:19 AM
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Spare tire lock? Did the 1968 have one? Anyone got a picture?
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Old Dec 4, 2018 | 11:10 AM
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The alarm on a 69 (if you had one) has it's own separate key labeled "Briggs&Stratton" as they produced the alarm lock cylinder so you are limited to getting the code from the center compartment. There is a fairly wide lip under the compartment door that the latch slides under so it's going to be hard to open without damage unless you have special tools. Since you need a spare tire lock anyway you might just want to get that along with a center compartment lock on the same key and drill the center out of your old compartment lock instead of risking damaging the surrounding area. The center compartment lock and spare lock are the only two things on the oval key on a 69.

Last edited by CanadaGrant; Dec 4, 2018 at 04:12 PM.
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Old Dec 4, 2018 | 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by wadenelson
Spare tire lock? Did the 1968 have one? Anyone got a picture?
Yes, the 68 had one.
https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...-key-set-68-82
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