jpb-ca

Hi -

My father was - for many years - in the 1960s/1970s, the service/parts/body-shop manager of a suburban Chevy dealer. I remember him taking me to the dealership on Saturday mornings - some of my happiest memories as I would wander around the service department and parts shop - chatting with the other employees, having childhood first-crushes on one or two of the young women behind the cashier's desk!

First and foremost was a love of the bright and shiny Corvettes on the sales department show floor! There's one in particular I remember - but don't ask me the exact year. Let's say 1971 or thereabouts, plus or minus 3-4 years. I especially remember one that was bright orange, like an Orange Crush soda. And I remember one oddity stands out to me so strongly - but I ask a few people about it and they go "????". I remember the door key locks - silver round things, with a vertical slot for the key that was covered by a little slip of metal that would of course fold back when a key was inserted. But what I especially remember was a third key-lock hole. This was, I believe, on the left side of the car, forward of the passenger compartment, not on the door, on the front left 'fender' I guess - but behind the front left wheel, and the key-hole was a bit lower than the door lock, and the key slot was, I believe, horizontal.

Two questions that I am hoping that someone can answer:

1. Do I remember this correctly?
2. If so - what in the world was the key lock for?

Thanks for reading my wistful memories, and thank you in advance for any answers on this!

Peterbuilt

You remembered it correctly, the key lock in the fender was to turn the alarm ON or OFF.
Some years had the key lock where it would look like a trunk lock in the rear.

kdf1986

I agree with Peterbuilt. I think the fender key alarm was on the 1974 - 1977 models.
kdf

Jstan2014

Peterbuilt

I'm very proud of my 74 and like to show it off so here's a picture.
You can see the lock in front of the STINGRAY emblem.

Jstan2014

RIKKI Z-06

WOW, you should be proud, that's a gorgeous 74.

redrdstr72

centralcalvette

So, Peterbuilt, that's an 80-81 rear tail ? That's the best tail of any rubber bumper C3!

vettebuyer6369

Mod75

My 75 had the L/F fender alarm right by the Stingray script, eliminated it at first paint job and moved the switch to the door jam area.