Help: A proposed survey of original C1/C2 keys

[Gary B.]

Some of you might have seen a posting from earlier this week about C1 and C2 keys. The point in question is the size of the original hole in the knockout of original B10 (octagonal, door & ignition key) and B11 (oval, glove box & spare tire) keys for C1 and C2 cars. The holes in the knockout came in at least two sizes: small (5/64") and large (9/64). The question is, did any original keys (not service replacements bought later) come with the small hole? I would very much like to hear from any owners who still have any original, UNUSED keys who can check on the size of the hole. GM supplied two sets of keys to new car owners and these sets came on a small wire ring. Sometimes the knockouts were left in place and not removed, and in this case, I would like to know the hole size. So, if you have a virgin key with the knockout still in place, I would very much like to start a survey of the hole size for keys from cars from 1953 to 1967.

Note, that if your key is well-used and it's been on a key ring for 30 or 40 years, the hole is probably enlarged from wear and such keys would not be good data points. However, if you've squirreled away one set of original keys and they've been sitting, barely used, in a drawer for 40 years, I would love to hear from you. In order to avoid cluttering up the Discussion Board, please e-mail me at:

beaupre@rrdmail.stanford.edu

Please tell me the hole size and the year of your car. I promise to share whatever I learn and if I learn enough I promise to write a brief article for submission to the Restorer.

Thanks in advance,

Gary Beaupre