Is this a correct spare tire lock for 1966

[Keith B.]

Ebay # 8058027044

Can someone tell me if this spare tire lock is correct for a 66, I've read my TIM but have never seen one for a 66. Looking for an original lock for my 66, seller says "The key in the lock is not a briggs and stratton, its an aftermarket, but the lock and housing is original from the 1960s".

I have ALL my correct B & S keys for my 66 and could get this re-keyed just want confirm its correct, org spare tire lock for 1966.....thanks

[Wayne M.]

No way ! -- Here's an early '63 to compare

That one on eBay is not even Corvette. Click on link at bottom of pic to see other side. Notice the small hole at the edge of the bezel, to remove lock cylinder. Later C3 styles had a larger bezel with the hole entirely within the metal of the bezel.

This lock is not '66, but early '63 (I believe) without drain hole and painted gloss black (they didn't have the protective rubber boot yet). Nevertheless, with a correct size drain hole (1/4" ?) and no black paint and a rubber boot, the '66 lock would be the same.

[Keith B.]

Re: No way ! -- Here's an early '63 to compare

Thanks Wayne: Really appreciate this......just trying to keep my eyes open for an old original lock but may just resort to a repro from Corvette Central or LIC, etc. Thanks again

[Mike M.]

Re: No way ! -- Here's an early '63 to compare

the 63 and 66 locks differ.try pat kraus at 410 879 9647. he's a locksmith and code the lock to match the original keys you have. mike

[Bryan L.]

Re: No way ! -- Here's an early '63 to compare

Just bought a repro tub lock for my 67 from Bair's. Even got a discount from the price quoted in the catalog. Seems like it was $43 and change which is almost 20 bucks cheaper than LI or Paragon. Need to get all of my stuff sent to Pat.

BL

[Peter L.]

Re: Corvette spare tire locks

Kevin - Look for one that looks like the one in Wayne's photo but with a 3/8" diameter drain hole and no black paint. Here's the "best" information I have been able to gather on the sequence of original production Corvette spare tire locks -
1. 63E (early) locks had the 5/8" diameter lock core face bezel with the "U" notch at the edge of the bezel, were painted black and had no drain hole as shown in Wayne's photo;
2. 63M thru 65 production locks had the 5/8" diameter lock core face bezel with the "U" notch at the edge, and were painted black and had a 1/4" diameter drain hole;
3. 66 production locks had the 5/8" diameter lock core face bezel with the "U" notch, were natural in finish, i.e. not painted black and had a 3/8" diameter drain hole; and
4. 67 and later production locks had a 3/4" diameter lock core face bezel with "small hole" in the face of the bezel rather than a "U" notch at the edge, were natural in finish and had a 3/8" diameter drain hole.

All Corvette spare tire locks were made by Briggs and Stratton and the overall spare tire lock configuration remained basically the same, although locks manufacture up thru 1966 typically have a B with a 1 below the B embossed on the bottom face and later production, '67+ spare tire locks have either a B and the 1 or a B with a 2 embossed on the bottom face. B2 embossed spare tire locks have a unique configuration on the top edge by the drain hole.

1963 and '64 spare tire locks used the octagon head key commonly referred to as a B-10 key while '65 and '66 spare tire locks used the round head key referred to as a B11 key. It's worth noting that the B10 and B11 keys are the same keyway and are also refered to a "non-letter" and "small head" keys.

The '67 production year brought spare tire lock core bezel with the larger 3/8" diameter bezel, the letter keyway keys. The '67 spare tire locks used the "B" key and the '68 used the "D" key. These keys were still the "small head" keys with the round head.

1969 production brought the larger head retangular and oval letter keys. 1969 production spare tire locks used the oval head, "H" key and '70 production locks used the oval head, "K" key. The letter key sequence was on a 4 year cycle. It's worth noting here that all the letter keys are different keyways and also differ from the B10 and B11 "non-letter" keyway, so the letter keyway spare tire locks or at least the key core are year specific, but as noted repeat every 4 years. Most Corvette spare tire locks available now either from GM or on Ebay have either the "H" or "J" keyway.

The key core keyway can be modified to accept any of the GM keys but for judging the judges are directed to check for this at least on those with the letter keys by attempting to insert the ignition key into the spare tire lock.

Pete