Projects 61 Olds question

Trying to get keys made for my 61 Olds. Does the ignition share a lock with anything else on the car? I'd like to avoid pulling the ignition switch.

 

I'm pretty sure that by then, the ignition had one code and the doors/trunk had another.

 

That's what I've been thinking. I was hoping otherwise.

 

The original keys had knock outs in the center with the key code stamped on them. People used to throw them in the glovebox; I guess that you're not that lucky.

 

I believe the glove box is the same key. Just take out the glove box latch/cylinder it may have a code on it, I think it does or just bring it to a locksmith and have them make one. You have nothing to lose but a few bucks. I have 40 or so GM keys if you have no luck with the glove box key I'll send out all my pre 68 try them all then mail the rest back. Good Luck.

Pat

 

If I remember correctly the door and ignition keys were the same, trunk and glovebox were the same on early GM products even into the '70s.
May want to call a locksmith to verify.

 

I believe Slopok is correct. On my 61 Pontiac, one key (with a hex shape) operates the doors and ignition while a second key (with a rounded or pear shape) operates the trunk and glove box.

 

I think the ignition and door keys matched on GM through 1970, so the answer is yes. Insurers got that changed when it became popular to yank the door cylinder out and make a key from it.

 

I was told many years ago there was only like 8 keys for Chevy's around those years. More than once I have watched guys take their key and start someone else's car. Try some other GM keys and see what happens.

Dave

 

I can say it happened to me. Sent out to a condo parking lot for a dozen beer, opened the door. folded the drivers seat up and no beer. Went back in and Buddy said that can't be. He came back a few minutes later with a 12 pack. We both went out and I asked where he was going cause his car was this way.

 

This
Simply using the p***enger door; look at opened rear edge.
At key level find the metal tab. Use knife blade to get thru any paint and begin to pry.
The one edge is bent into the door the other edge is what you want.
When you have moved it some use a screw driver to pull it out.
The tumblers either fall out or are easy to pull from the door.
Now your locksmith can fashion an ignition key.
If you lock the keys in the trunk, just remove the glove box tumblers.
See my name

 

From 1935 through 1966, General Motors had 1,499 key code combinations. Divide that number into the millions of cars produced over that time, and you'll see why you sometimes find another car that your key will work on.

 

I recall my dad telling me about his experience after he bought a new ‘57 Chevy PU. He was some where and fella with a ‘55 and he were talking, wound up that the guys ‘55 key would turn my dads ignition, but his ‘57 wouldn’t do the same.
Many years later I could do it to a buddies ‘57 PU, but he couldn’t do it to mine.
I know, nothing relevant to the OPs thread, just wanted to share

 

huh...
my '70 Nova had the square key for ignition and doors, and the oval key for the trunk....

huh...

 

ignition should be its own key. The jockey box and doors became the same in that time period. I cannot say what year for sure but in the X frame years GM made the doors and the glove box the same.

 

WOW

 

I think this likely has more to do with the amount of use and wear on the ignition lock cylinder. Indeed, a key cut with a similar pattern but with a different key "code", with maybe two cuts made slightly deeper or shallower with a bit of wear on the key, might still be close enough to allow you to turn the cylinder. Especially if you happened to be holding your mouth just right and jiggled the key just the right way.

You're less likely to get the same results with the door or trunk lock cylinders as they tend to have much less wear and tear on them. These older GM Briggs and Stratton lock cylinders aren't the "high precision" locks you might expect them to be. Yet they seem to work well enough when they're clean and lubed properly and used with a properly cut key that's not excessively worn.