I bought my 51 chevy coupe that did not come with any of the keys. I removed the trunk and glove box locks and had a locksmith make new keys for me. I did the same on a 58 chevy I have and the glove box key worked in the ignition, but on the 51 it didn't. My locksmith told me if I could get the date of manufacture, he might be able to look it up and make me a key. The only area that I know of with any information about this car is on the left drivers side A pillar and the tag on the p***enger side of the cowl. Is there any other place to find info on the car? I guess as a last resort, I can take out the ignition mechanism and have it keyed. I looked under the dash and couldn't see how the ignition was secured. Any suggestion would be appreciated. Thanks.
The ignition cylinder and key is still available (oddly) at most any auto parts store. Mine was actually in stock at the local AutoZone. Since you're going to end up with more than one key anyways, just a straight up replacement is probably the quickest easiest fix I can think of.
That sounds good, but since I'm a bit of a novice at this, please advise on how to remove the ignition cylinder. While I might not be that savy about this topic, I do take direction well. Please advise. Thanks
Remove the door lock and have a key made for it, it will probably fit the ignition. The doors and trunk keys were usually different.
yea the trunk and glove box should be the same key the door and ignition are generally the same as well
you wouldnt happen to have that pt# handy would ya? That way it can be found on here as well as the AZ website.
At least with slightly more modern cars, you need a pin and the key to remove the ignition, but I think my wife removed hers from her 51 without either. Try checking the service manual. It should tell you how. If you don't have one, get one. In the meantime, you can find look it up for free in a scanned copy at tocmp.com
Some of the switches will come out without removing the lock cylinder, others won't. The bezel on front unscrews, but if you need to take the cylinder out first it wont' unscrew all the way. To get the cylinder out, you need to put the key in, turn the lock to the left a bit, as you push a wire (like the end of a big paper clip) into the hole. If you don't have the key, you might be able to pick the lock by trying other old GM keys, wiggling gently as you turn. Patience is helpful. If the new key fits the doors, but not the ignition, then you probably have an ignition cylinder that's been replaced. You might be able to get the cylinder out by forcing it left as you push the wire in the hole...patience...
I did not have the key to the ignition on my 50, and I was able to remove the ignition cylinder easily. If memory serves, there is large threaded nut that you can back off with your fingers most likely just by reaching up behind the dash ... of course that was on a 50. I ***ume the 51's ignition cylinder is also located in the dash and not the column?
Not handy, but only took a minute to find - Autozone part#: LC14210 When I got my 51, there were no keys for it at all. It's been a while now, but I think I removed the entire ignition switch from the dash by unscrewing the bezel, then pushing the whole thing through the back. Removing the cylinder was not quite as easy since I didn't have the key, but still doable. HTH
The Jalopy Journal
