C1 Ignition Key

[ROB DAME MEM# 36211]

My '56 presently has two keys.The hex key fits ign. and doors.
The round key fits glove box and trunk.
The 1956-57 Judging Guide says the ign. key should fit all five
lock cylinders.CC's catalog lists lock sets as being all keyed alike
then in a foot note says original locks were keyed with the hex key
for ign. and doors and the round key for glove box and trunk.
I've talked to a retired locksmith that still polks around at home.
He says he has the wafers needed to recode my glove box and trunk lock
cylinders to fit the ignition key. He also said according to his lock
books there should be a hex and a round key and he has some original
key blanks left.He also seems to remember some GM cars having a hex
and a round key both keyed alike so either would open the lock and
the key code was stamped or engraved into the key. Several questions
1, Am I correct in assuming one key fits all?
2, Should the key be hex or round head?
3, Did the original '56 key blanks have the key code stamped in?
4, What did the original '56 key blanks say on them?
Thanks Rob.

[Peter L.]

Re: C1 Ignition Key

Rob -
1. One key fits all.
2. Hex (multi flat sided), but my geometry teacher would suggest it is an octagon since it has 8 sides.
3. Yes
4. I would expect GM on one side and Briggs and Stratton on the other; but some Chevrolet car keys had Rochester Products on them; but I don't know that they were used on Corvettes.

Hope this helps, Pete

[Roy Braatz]

Re: C1 Ignition Key

I had many 53-57 and had TWO keys G.M even sold an optional dealer key holder useing two keys for the 53-55 Corvette .It had the G.M emblem on one side,other showing a pic of the white 53 Corvette on black back ground. My 67 key will open the doors and ign. but uses another key for the clove box.But I'v always owened odd ball cars.

[John M.]

Re: C1 Ignition Key

Rob, I agree with Peter, all locks are keyed alike. If you are asking for judging, the keys should have GM on on side and Briggs& Stratton on the other. The keys should have the slugs in place with the lock combination stamped in the slugs. I use a set of later keys without the B&S on the reverse for driving and save the correct keys for judging. The external apperance of the locks is also a thing to look at. Most of the locks that have been available for some time do not have the distinctive double ridge on the bezels. It is allways good to keep your Eyes open for them at swap meets! Even if the lock is worn out the bezel can be transplanted to the newer style lock in most instances.

Regards, John McGraw

[Joe Pennington]

Re: C1 Ignition Key

My 56 with mostly original parts, just not original to my car,has the two key system. My Mom bought a new BelAir in 1952 and it had the two lock sysrem and it was my understanding that because most parking lots downtown(pre shopping center days) were manned by a lot attentant who had to be able to move the cars around as needed. The two key system was to enable one to unlock the car and drive it but not have access to the locked glovebox and trunk. It seams reasonable to me that since the Corvette was not considered a "weekend toy" back in the golden days, they would use the same reasoning and double key them.
Just a thought, for what it's worth.

[James F.]

Re: C1 Ignition Key

Rob,
I would have answered all questions exactly as Peter posted. Regards,

[ROB DAME MEM# 36211]

Re: C1 Ignition Key

Hi John, Your the first to mention the double ridge on the lock bezels.
Does this apply to the trunk lock bezel as well?
My door locks do have the double bezel but my trunk lock is flat.
Thanks and Take Care, Rob

[John M.]

Re: C1 Ignition Key

My car also had the flat lock bezel on it when I aquired it and I was told that the lock was a 62 style lock. That would explain why the trunk key was different. My guess is that this was an owner-inspired addition to kep prying attendants out of the trunk. It is worth while to note that the glovebox was keyed the same as the ignition. You will find the double ridge locks very hard to find, and most of the locks sold now require you to file out the notch in the ring under the lock as the tab is wider on the replacement locks. I would reccomend that you keep any original locks you have, find a correct trunk lock and have them all re-keyed and proper keys made for them if judging is in your future. Regards, John McGraw

[Dale Pearman]

Re: C1 Ignition Key

I've NEVER heard of such a thing! Thank you for expanding our horizons. We're all hear to learn.

Dale.

[Dave Suesz]

For what it's worth...

My '55 has one key, octagon head, for ignition and trunk. The car is original family owned, and I can personally observe the keys we were using as far back as '64 still fit the locks.

[Peter L.]

Re: The 2 Key System

Joe - Very interesting and certainly a good idea and before its time at least from the standard factory installation perspective. I suggest it was possibly a dealer installation. Reason being that the GM 2 key system was not introduced until the 1965 production year when it was brought out on the Corvette and the Cadillac. It became standard equipment on all GM vehicles for the 1966 production year. Pete

[Joe Pennington]

Re: The 2 Key System

Peter, are you sure on your dates? I'm pretty sure that my Mom's 52 Belair had two keys and not dealer installed. I bought my first new car in 1964, a Chevelle Malibu SS hardtop with 327/4sp and my second new car in 1965, an Impala benchseat 2-dr hardtop with 396/4-sp and I'm pretty sure they both had the 2 key system. I wouldn't put too much weight on this next statment but Corvette Central states in their catalog that C1's have the two key system.

[Joe Pennington]

Re: The 2 Key System

I just checked YearOne.com's website and they state that the 1964 Chevelle had one key for the door/ignition and another for the glovebox/trunk. I know my memory is getting poor but I still remember some things.

[Joe Pennington]

Re: The 2 Key System

I just checked the discussion board on Chevytalk.org and found a post that said the 1954 full size Chevy had the ignition/door and glovebox/trunk two key system. Where did you get your information that Chevy went to the two key system in 1966? I remember the two key system on 1952, 1964 and 1965 models back when they were new. I believe the same rational that caused the mfg. to use the two key system in the passenger cars in the early 50's would also have been used on the Corvette.

[Joe Pennington]

Re: For what it's worth...

My neighbor just got home from work and I checked his two owner, one family, 59 Vette that his father in law bought new. It is mostly orginal, has a 350, new paint and carpet replaced. Everything else routine maintenance. Still has the original axle rebound straps(they are both in two pieces). It has all the locks keyed the same and he is positive they are original.