Key Knock Outs

[Tony H.]

Where can I get a set of key knock outs? I think it is interesting that the envelope that contained these KKOs also had instructions to dispose of key plugs to avoid theft.

What point is assigned to the KKOs for flight judging?

[Joe L.]

Re: Key Knock Outs

Tony---

I don't know of anyone that sells just the key knock-outs, but it shouldn't be too hard to come up with some depending on exactly what you're looking for.

First, you could find an old, original set of keys with the knockouts intact. Don't forget that most GM vehicles of the era had similar keys, so there exists no shortage of them out there. Go to a swap meet or two and find a vendor with a box of old keys. I'm sure you won't have much trouble inasmuch as many folks never "knocked out" the "knock out". Remove the knock-out tab and carefully re-insert it into your key. Of course, the key code won't match your original but I doubt that anyone will know the difference since there's no way to determine what your original code was if you don't have at least one of the originals intact.

Second, you could simply buy OEM key blanks and have them machine cut. Many of these have the uncoded tab in place, although some current-day versions might not. Still, key dealers at swap meets will have them for sure. Of course, the tab will be blank, so you'll need to find some very small die sets to punch a code into it. The GM part numbers for 1970 keys are 1154608-square and 1154609-round.

However, if you're looking for a set of knock-out tabs that match your original key codes, you're in for a challenging quest.

As far as "points" go, I can't help you, but I'm sure there are judges out there that can.

[Joe L.]

Re: Key Knock Outs

Tony---

I don't know of anyone that sells just the key knock-outs, but it shouldn't be too hard to come up with some depending on exactly what you're looking for.

First, you could find an old, original set of keys with the knockouts intact. Don't forget that most GM vehicles of the era had similar keys, so there exists no shortage of them out there. Go to a swap meet or two and find a vendor with a box of old keys. I'm sure you won't have much trouble inasmuch as many folks never "knocked out" the "knock out". Remove the knock-out tab and carefully re-insert it into your key. Of course, the key code won't match your original but I doubt that anyone will know the difference since there's no way to determine what your original code was if you don't have at least one of the originals intact.

Second, you could simply buy OEM key blanks and have them machine cut. Many of these have the uncoded tab in place, although some current-day versions might not. Still, key dealers at swap meets will have them for sure. Of course, the tab will be blank, so you'll need to find some very small die sets to punch a code into it. The GM part numbers for 1970 keys are 1154608-square and 1154609-round.

However, if you're looking for a set of knock-out tabs that match your original key codes, you're in for a challenging quest.

As far as "points" go, I can't help you, but I'm sure there are judges out there that can.

[Paul B.]

Re: Key Knock Outs

Tony, Jesser's Antique and Classic Car Keys of Akron, Ohio will make you a "correct" set with the knockouts unpunched(they will also have the original, correct code). He did my '74s last year. He is usually at all the large Corvette shows and swap meets, plus other large general swap meets. Incidentally I found out by accident your "key codes" punched in the knockout is on the build sheet(at least for '74 it was)in the upper right hand corner and they should be for example "59E1" or "22H4". These will be your key codes. He does advertise in the Driveline and Hemmings.

[Paul B.]

Re: Key Knock Outs

Tony, Jesser's Antique and Classic Car Keys of Akron, Ohio will make you a "correct" set with the knockouts unpunched(they will also have the original, correct code). He did my '74s last year. He is usually at all the large Corvette shows and swap meets, plus other large general swap meets. Incidentally I found out by accident your "key codes" punched in the knockout is on the build sheet(at least for '74 it was)in the upper right hand corner and they should be for example "59E1" or "22H4". These will be your key codes. He does advertise in the Driveline and Hemmings.

[Terry M.]

Re: Key Knock Outs

Just a little more information:

Key codes bagan to appear on the "tank stickers" in model year 1971 - about the same time VIN numbers began to appear. In 1971 & 1972 the key numbers are on the lower right area of the sheet and are reversed (mirror image). That is printed on the back.

Terry

[Terry M.]

Re: Key Knock Outs

Just a little more information:

Key codes bagan to appear on the "tank stickers" in model year 1971 - about the same time VIN numbers began to appear. In 1971 & 1972 the key numbers are on the lower right area of the sheet and are reversed (mirror image). That is printed on the back.

Terry