Hot Rods Lost key options

So as luck would have it I seem to have misplaced my ignition key on a 49 Chevy fleetline. tried some other keys and no good. seems you need original key to be a leader to get cylinder out by putting a paper clip in the hole on cylinder . can't see behind dash so not sure what's holding in whole switch. anyone know my options here. seems the local locksmith can't help getting me a new key. thanks

 

Try a different locksmith. I had a local guy make me a replacement trunk key by putting a blank into the lock, wiggling it around, then cutting it by the marks the pins made. Took him about 1/2 hour, key worked great.

 

I had the same problem when I got my 65 Riviera without keys. I just removed the ignition switch from the dash and brought to our local locksmith. He couldn´t do it himself but he sent out the switch for me to some spe******t that was able to fab a a new key for my existing switch. It took about 2 weeks and cost was about 50 bucks, but it was well worth getting around to change alle the locks on the car. BTW there should be a crest nut that holds the switch in the dash , easy to get out...

 

I happen to have a replacement cylinder but it won't come out without original key it seems and from the research I did.

Did you need to provide the blank or they did for the replacement trunk lock

 

anyone know if a chevy pickup 53 cylinder could fit this fleetline? locksmith can come out and get it out and this in but i want to make sure it fit first..

will get some photos...

 

In my case the locksmith had the blank, but most any locksmith should have a blank for any 'common' car, even back into the 50s...

 

Your local locksmith ain't much if he can't make you a replacement key,I would look around and find a guy that knows what he is doing. HRP

 

OR ........ you can pull out the outside door handle, which will reveal the .key code number.
See figure 65 for code location on door handle hardware.
Click below.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1949_53/01body/1_45.HTM.

 

Baumi, that what I did on the 58 buick you see in my avatur.I took out the whole piece the ignition switch was in and took it to the lock smith and she made me a key for it. I had to go to 3 different ones before I found one that would do it. Bruce.

 

Like H.R.P. Try a couple different people. I had to go to 3 different one before I found 1 that would do it. The other two I said and you call your selfs lock smiths as they kicked me out their door!!! LOL.Bruce.

 

Don't know how one would get the '49 ignition switch out, without the key.
Thus my thought to get the key code from the door handle, then have a key made, from that code, from a knowledgeable locksmith.

 

Say a prayer to St. Anthony and keep looking!!

 

There are a lot of "locksmiths" now that only know how to run the key copying machine. Call around, find one that actually knows what they're doing. There's a local guy here that works out of his van, and can pick open, hand cut keys, and even works on modern stuff. Nice guy, and I'm happy to recommend his services if you're in the area.



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Everyone used to know somebody with a Mason jar full of old keys. Just about every pre - 1965 GM vehicle will unlock after trying a dozen or so. Try your friends' keys.
Your car is a 1 key car, so the glove box cylinder SHOULD give the code for the other 4 locks as well.
The switch can be removed from the back w/o a key.

 

X2 ,
who need a Key , hot wire easy , lock the door open threw vent, or carry a master Key "Rock"
But realy a good locksmith should be no problems,
I have a a string of factory Gm keys from a dealer I picked up in 70's 1968 & back ,over the year I gave away several, until I got smart, If you have Key code pm me I will see If I have ,
Possibily send you a copy

 

Mrs. Avatar's Grandmother used to say: "Saint Anthony Saint Anthony please come around, somethings lost and can't be found" Seemed to work

 

Doesn't the lock on the glove box door use the same key as the ignition switch? .....I had a '50 Chevy but don't remember if the car had different keys for different locks. One screw and the glove box lock is out, a lot easy than taking out the ignition lock.... Good luck.

 

If you don't care about the old cylinder, you could drill it out. Once the tumblers fall out of the cylinder it will turn same as with the key and you can then remove it via the normal procedure.

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Just reach under the dash and grab a handful of wiring - doesn't matter what it it, as long as you're behind the wheel. Pull it all out toward you, and cut two wires with a pocketknife. Twist the wires together and the car starts. Works every time. In the movies.

Eventually you'll run out of wires to cut. Then you'll have to call a locksmith. If he can't cut a key with just a lock to match, he's not much of a locksmith. So you're better off just calling a pro to do it right once. Amateur work is really expensive.

 

The locksmith I went to had a ring full of Gm keys. Gave it to me and said try the keys till you find one that works and then bring it back and make as many keys as you like.

 

^^^^^
Yep a 'tryout' set.
As others have said, get the code off the door or glovebox (or take one of the cylinders) to the locksmith and have a key made. Have a couple extra keys cut so you don't have to deal with this again. If you don't have a good locksmith nearby, spend $15 on a replacement cylinder. Of course, then your door key will be different;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/antique-vin...ash=item33af48d40e:g:mUYAAOSw~otWfWZr&vxp=mtr

 

Yeah, what you experienced was not a locksmith.

Even I can pick and remove these, and I am a cracker *****.

 

Ancient Chinese Proverb -" never ditch an old key, you never know when it will come in handy"

 

in my 38 if I remember correctlytwo different keys in the cab.one for door lock and glove box.other for ignition.key blanks were different.disconnect the battery before removing ignition

 

bobg1951 Does the ignition key fit the glove box???? If so take the glove box lock to the lock smith.Bruce. OOPPPSS it has been mentioned aready.

 

you need someone who has a set of these, this is a dealer set. Should work on most. I sent you a PM

 

Up till the double-faced keys came out, there were only bout 15 different keys for all GM cars, my cousin had a ring full and could get in and start any GM car in the country.

 

62 individual keys on the dealer set shown above, just counted them

 

stupid question but how do you properly pull door handle? Id sure rather go the route of pulling the door handle in hopes of a key being made for that matching the ignition ...rather than pull ignition to replace it with a new one. then id still be without a door key.

 

How do you pick/remove the cylinder?