1963 Spare tire lock

[Jerry C.]

Where can one find an original 63 spare tire lock? Thanks in advance

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

Jerry, depending on your VIN there were different locks. Some had the rubber boot some did not, again on the VIN.

Look up Peter Lindahl in the member area and email him.

Cheers

[Larry M.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

Another excellent source is Gary Beaupre. Gary is also an NCRS member and an NCRS Restorer contributor, and has a small website that has these locks and other Corvette stuff. His website is http://garybeaupre.home.comcast.net

Larry

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

IIRC there is more than one type in '63 and the weep hole and other factors determine the correct item. Some have a foam vibration damper; bottom lock in the picture.

I got mine from: jmbensko@q.com

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

Frank,

I cannot remember! Is it the ignition key that fits the spare tire lock or the door key???


JR

[Gary B.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

Frank,

I cannot remember! Is it the ignition key that fits the spare tire lock or the door key???


JR

Joe,

For '63 and '64 there is only the one key that fits everything!

Gary

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

Gary,

Thanks, if it was not for you young guys I could not remember anything!

JR

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

Yes. I had my '63 spare tire tub lock re-keyed to work with the original key. Local locksmith did it in 10 minutes for $8.
If you get the rubber lock cover have plenty of spray silicone around -- its a tight fit !

[Gary B.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

IIRC there is more than one type in '63 and the weep hole and other factors determine the correct item. Some have a foam vibration damper; bottom lock in the picture.

I got mine from: jmbensko@q.com

Frank,

Yes there are two different styles for 63 and two other styles for the remainder of the C2 era. And to complicate things, as of the past year or so there are now repro locks being sold, which, close-up, are detectable as repros. Some judges who haven't studied original locks might not notice the differences, but side-by-side the differences stand out if you know what to look for.

Gary

[Daniel J.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

Jerry - there is one on eBay as we speak. (early '63)

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

Frank,

Yes there are two different styles for 63 and two other styles for the remainder of the C2 era. And to complicate things, as of the past year or so there are now repro locks being sold, which, close-up, are detectable as repros. Some judges who haven't studied original locks might not notice the differences, but side-by-side the differences stand out if you know what to look for.

Gary

Hi Gary,

I am I correct in assuming the 1963 had the no hole lock and the small 1/4" hole lock. These are the only two locks from the 63 M/Y and the boot came along during the 63 model run.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

That is my understanding and the one with no hole will cost you big $$$ compared to the one with the 1/4 inch hole.

[Gary B.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

Hi Gary,

I am I correct in assuming the 1963 had the no hole lock and the small 1/4" hole lock. These are the only two locks from the 63 M/Y and the boot came along during the 63 model run.

Timothy,

People who have studied this question believe that the no-hole lock was likely used up thru the end of Dec, 1962, at which time the 1/4" weep hole lock appeared. But I'm sure there are examples of the 1/4 weep hole lock on cars earlier than Jan 1, 1963, and examples of the no-hole lock after Jan 1, so there was almost certainly no step-function change-over date.

And yes, the rubber protective boot came along later in the '63 model year; I think around March 15, IIRC according to the TIM&JG. Prior to that date, the foam rubber anti-rattle pad was used. As far as I know LIC is the sole maker of a repro anti-rattle pad, but that repro needs to be modified since the die-cut process that LIC uses to make their repro pad does not allow for the beveled edge that is believed to have been present on the GM pad.

Gary

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

Timothy,

People who have studied this question believe that the no-hole lock was likely used up thru the end of Dec, 1962, at which time the 1/4" weep hole lock appeared. But I'm sure there are examples of the 1/4 weep hole lock on cars earlier than Jan 1, 1963, and examples of the no-hole lock after Jan 1, so there was almost certainly no step-function change-over date.

And yes, the rubber protective boot came along later in the '63 model year; I think around March 15, IIRC according to the TIM&JG. Prior to that date, the foam rubber anti-rattle pad was used. As far as I know LIC is the sole maker of a repro anti-rattle pad, but that repro needs to be modified since the die-cut process that LIC uses to make their repro pad does not allow for the beveled edge that is believed to have been present on the GM pad.

Gary

Thanks Gary,

Now I remember that anti rattle pad we discussed a few years ago..

[Gary B.]

Re: 1963 Spare tire lock

Thanks Gary,

Now I remember that anti rattle pad we discussed a few years ago..

Timothy,

I'm still looking for an NOS anti-rattle pad or for an installed original pad oin mint condition from a very low mileage, always garaged '63. I have collected several original '63 tire locks that still have the original GM pad installed, and I've see photos of several other '63 locks, but those pads are all in poor condition and it's impossible to know what they looked like when new. So, to keep my research files from expanding any more, I'm not seeking photos of any more anti-rattle pads in poor condition, but I'm still looking for images of that elusive original GM lock with pad in virgin condition. My main interest is determining how much the pad overhangs on two sides. The repro anti-rattle from LIC is substantially wider than the lock, so there's a lot of overhang on two sides. I've never seen that overhang on a GM pad, but the overhang is likely to be worn away with time and exposure to the elements, so assessing correctness based on old, worn anti-rattle pads is not consistent with high quality research.

Gary