Lost the keys of my '79!!!

[Henri Kroeze]

Hello all,

During our recent move I lost the keys of my '79. I'm not done turning the whole new house upside down, but just in case they're really lost...

What are my opportunities?
There are several locksmiths here in the Netherlands specialized in making new keys only if they have the lock.
Soo, how difficult is it to remove the ignition lock from the tilt/tele steering column?

Or are there other ways to determine what key I need?

Please help this overseas enthousiast!

Henri,
the Netherlands

[Brian M.]

Re: Lost the keys of my '79!!!

Do you have any of the original paperwork for the car IE: original bill of sale this may have the key #'s on it.

[Brian M.]

Re: Lost the keys of my '79!!!

Do you have any of the original paperwork for the car IE: original bill of sale this may have the key #'s on it.

[Henri Kroeze]

Re: Lost the keys of my '79!!!

Nope, have none of the original paperwork.
But I do know the first owner... Maybe she can help me out...???

No other ways...?

Henri,
the Netherlands

[Henri Kroeze]

Re: Lost the keys of my '79!!!

Nope, have none of the original paperwork.
But I do know the first owner... Maybe she can help me out...???

No other ways...?

Henri,
the Netherlands

[Gerry Proctor]

Re: Lost the keys of my '79!!!

I don't know how helpful this will be in your location, but you can retreive the key code from the VIN. Usually, this is done at the GM car dealer's service department. They'll wisely ask for some documentation that indicates you own the car. I had to do this once..years ago. Took the registration to the dealer, they opened their key book, wrote down the code, set the code into the machine and knocked out a new key.

[Gerry Proctor]

Re: Lost the keys of my '79!!!

I don't know how helpful this will be in your location, but you can retreive the key code from the VIN. Usually, this is done at the GM car dealer's service department. They'll wisely ask for some documentation that indicates you own the car. I had to do this once..years ago. Took the registration to the dealer, they opened their key book, wrote down the code, set the code into the machine and knocked out a new key.

[Henri Kroeze]

Re: Lost the keys of my '79!!!

Thanks a lot. I'll check with our local GM dealer... Hope they can help me... Otherwise I've to ask some American friends...

Very good tip!

Henri,
the Netherlands.

[Henri Kroeze]

Re: Lost the keys of my '79!!!

Thanks a lot. I'll check with our local GM dealer... Hope they can help me... Otherwise I've to ask some American friends...

Very good tip!

Henri,
the Netherlands.

[Terry M.]

Re: Lost the keys of my '79!!! *TL*

Unless GM has something special in Europe, the VIN to key decode will not work on cars more than ten or eleven years old. At least that is the way it is here in the USA.

[Terry M.]

Re: Lost the keys of my '79!!! *TL*

Unless GM has something special in Europe, the VIN to key decode will not work on cars more than ten or eleven years old. At least that is the way it is here in the USA.

[Jack H.]

Big IF....

IF the locks have not been changed/re-keyed by prior owners, pull a door panel and remove the exterior lock cylinder. If she's factory straight/original, you'll find the original key code sequence stamped on the outside barrel. From this, a locksmith (at least here in the US--some European nations have 'strange' laws regarding locksmithing/key cutting) can use the Briggs & Stratton (now StratTech) microfiche plates to look up the key cut sequence from the original code. That gets you in/out of the car and start 'er up/shuts 'er down.

As far as the rear storage compartment and spare tire lock (originally keyed alike), you'll have to pull one and take it too the locksmith as I don't believe either had the code recorded on the lock barrel.

Last, don't trust the two to be keyed alike as the spare tire lock was often lost/discarded by prior owners and replaced with a service spare having 'Universal' keyway. IF these locks are factory originals, the tumblers were color coded (see your Chassis Service manual) and using a magnifying probe the locksmith can look down the keyway to 'read' Brass, Black, Silver and cut an appropriate key that way. If these have been changed (later tumblers were simply numbered 1-5 for the 'cut'), the locksmith will have to cut a key by trial & error. No problem, just costs a bit more/takes longer to 'reverse engineer' the cut sequence.

[Jack H.]

Big IF....

IF the locks have not been changed/re-keyed by prior owners, pull a door panel and remove the exterior lock cylinder. If she's factory straight/original, you'll find the original key code sequence stamped on the outside barrel. From this, a locksmith (at least here in the US--some European nations have 'strange' laws regarding locksmithing/key cutting) can use the Briggs & Stratton (now StratTech) microfiche plates to look up the key cut sequence from the original code. That gets you in/out of the car and start 'er up/shuts 'er down.

As far as the rear storage compartment and spare tire lock (originally keyed alike), you'll have to pull one and take it too the locksmith as I don't believe either had the code recorded on the lock barrel.

Last, don't trust the two to be keyed alike as the spare tire lock was often lost/discarded by prior owners and replaced with a service spare having 'Universal' keyway. IF these locks are factory originals, the tumblers were color coded (see your Chassis Service manual) and using a magnifying probe the locksmith can look down the keyway to 'read' Brass, Black, Silver and cut an appropriate key that way. If these have been changed (later tumblers were simply numbered 1-5 for the 'cut'), the locksmith will have to cut a key by trial & error. No problem, just costs a bit more/takes longer to 'reverse engineer' the cut sequence.

[Terry M.]

Hey Jack it's a 1979 *NM* *TL*

[Terry M.]

Hey Jack it's a 1979 *NM* *TL*