Yep, my 50 Buick is the same and that is something that I remembered all the way back to high school when we would cruise my buddies folks 55 Nomad. Rarely did it get locked and anyone could have taken it if they knew. Hoping someone runs across this car soon and you get it back.
My avatar ('62 GM Holden wagon) shows it's GM heritage - they came out with the same ignition switch and black lettered bezel. Same deal - unless you click the key all the way anti-clockwise to LOCK, the ignition switch will turn without the key. Cheers, Harv
Good reminder for everyone to grab their cell phone or camera and snap a few current photos of their car(s).
I would suggest you put a "wanted" ad in the local craigs list for some 1955 Chevy parts such as a Hood or front fenders, If the Dummies see it and think they can sell some of the parts they could Possibly contact you then you get the Police to arrest them!
Also all you gotta do is shave the sides of a key on many cars ( imports included ) and round the ridges as if it's worn and 'Away Ya GOOOO!!!! 'police call it a Shaved Key and used to carry clout as a Felony if in possession of one
Yes I've found that on some as the key wears and replacing the key sometimes works properly by staying in again but actually if it's to that point I replace the tumbler assy and the key will stay in again . The design is meant for the key to stay in the slot till lock so that the driver doesn't get distracted by keys falling on the floor . I once wrecked by adjusting the radio and had a few (oops ! ) so I can see why DOT would have manufacturers keep the key on the slot during vehicle operation
I've read somewhere that the idea of this design is when leaving the car to a foreign to park it, at a restaurant or hotel for example, that person can only drive the car and don't get access to glovebox or trunk. Atleast many GM cars had this function, removing the Keys out of the lock with engine running, something you cant do with "modern" cars and such stuff can really irritate me sometimes. By the way, really hope the 55 can be found and in one piece.
"I would suggest you put a "wanted" ad in the local craigs list for some 1955 Chevy parts such as a Hood or front fenders, If the Dummies see it and think they can sell some of the parts they could Possibly contact you then you get the Police to arrest them!" That is how my buddy found his off topic truck stolen off his lot. Guy test drove it that day and that night it disappeared. checked the key rack and sure enough the double keys were missing just the one so he had a fairly good hunch who it was if he saw them again. A few days later cruising the parts section on Craigslist he sees all these body parts that would fit that truck. So he had his girlfriend call from her phone not his just in case the seller/thief had his number recorded and brought a part that he could identify by looking at it if it came off his truck or not. this gave them his address too and when the side mirror matched (weird scratch on the chrome side), took it to the cops and they got him. got most of his truck back but in pieces. Since then he never keeps both keys together and he always gets a copy of their license after that. no more grab the key off the rack and take it for a ride.
I sent the picture of the car to one of my buddy's that's also a KSP supervisor. He's a car nut, always on the hunt for cars. So Kentucky is covered
OKAY so far this what we got. 4 Door 2 shades dark Blue Can see sunvisor light color Interior unknown as yet Six cylinder Electronic Ignition Right side rear view mirror Painted door handles Wagon springs out back (btw I always wear out my knees when I see OLDER cars ) Thin wall white walls ( how often do they show up? Full disc wheel covers Tinted glass it seems A deluxe fancy aerial Aluminum radiator visible from grille Bumperettes-front how bout the rear? Keep it coming
I'll keep an eye out here in Northern Illinois. I'm driving in toward Chicago, tomorrow, (Yorkville to be specific) to a "Traditional" Hot Rod & Custom show. By the way, it looks like the front license plate bracket is bolted on upside down. The mounting slots for the plate bolts should be down near the bottom edge of the bumper.
Update on the 55. I got it back today, it was found in Chesnee, SC. Some damage. Of course the ignition switch and trunk lock were destroyed. The front bumper is bent where they were yanking on it. The right rear door glass is broken. The oil breather is missing from the valve cover. I havent found any other damage so far. It does have some kind of black crap all over it. The guy that towed it for me said that was where they checked it for fingerprints. They arrested the guy they found with it and he was charged with possession of stolen property. He spent three nights in jail and was to be released today on bond. Thanks to everybody that tried to help.
That is terrific news. Some damage was certainly to be expected unfortunately. Maybe you could adjust the title to reflect the situation.
Glad you got it back. Hope they put him in jail for a while. He should pay you for the damage, but we all know how that goes.
Good deal, best to get it back with repairable damage, than a hulk of what it resembled before. Since is was dragged/towed out, thief musta had thoughts of selling/using parts. I wish upon him an eternal softon.
Unseen damage, floor-boarded and dropped in gear (or dumped clutch? Just excessive rev's. Hopefully it's not hurt too bad.
Wow! That’s a one in a million deal there! Rarely hear if someone getting a stolen car back. My son had an off topic car stolen and after several months showed up in a tow lot partly stripped. Got a letter from the tow company for the bill. Turned out the tow company stole the car after a investigation.
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