VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 door lock

As with any time I have a question, I go to the experts...you guys.

I don't have a key to the door lock ('32 Deluxe Sedan), and wanted to take the assembly out, bring it to a locksmith, and have them make a key for it. I'm assuming I'll have to remove the upholstery on the inside panel, but are there any other things or tricks I should be aware of before starting?

Also, why is the lock only on the passenger side? I wondered if the roads were so bad (dirty) when these cars were built, did people exit the car on the right side to stay out of the road?

Thanks in advance to anyone, you guys are a great source.

rob

On the face of the door jamb is a set screw that you remove to take out the door handle.

The screw is very small, don't loose it!

Yes the roads where bad, and the new driver's too. The manufactures thought it was safer to enter and exit the cars from the non-traffic side.

Iteresting. I wonder if the right hand drive cars have the locking handles on the left?

you guys amaze me. Thanks again.

-rob

RGwiz
My 34 Master RHD has the key in the drivers door handle and Holden bodied Chevs have quite different handles than Fisher bodies, nicer looking too
Chris

Yeah, RGWiz pointed out something you see in older silent pictures, but don't pick up unless you think about it. In the '10's and '20's, city streets were still narrow, and traffic competed with trolleys. Cars only had primitive mechanical brakes (and for that matter, only on two wheels until the late 20's), so you couldn't expect to have someone safely stop if you popped out of a car on the street side. From what I've seen in these older movies, it was common practice for people to enter and exit a car from the curb side.

I'd also presume that, in the depths of the Great Depression, most car makers would not bother with the cost of installing a second door lock on the driver's side anyway as long as one sufficed.

Perhaps Skipper or someone else can enlighten us if an additional door lock was ever a buyer option, and what year Chevrolet made both locks standard.

As a bit of a correction. The closed cars had locking doors from the teens. Only the passenger door handle or below the handle in earlier cars had a key slot. The others locked from the inside. Don't know of the first use of outside key locks on both front doors. Get on your thinking caps boys or get out the books.

another lock question. I intend to have my handles chrome plated. How do I remove the lock (or should I )to plate this handle?

After removal of the handle you will see a drift pin near the square piece on the end of the handle, drive out the pin and the lock assembly will come out. If you Chrome the handle be aware that the interior of the handle has to be cleaned of the stuff that is was dipped in or your lock assembly and shaft will rust in place. there is also a bushing that will go south also. Make sure its clean and lubricated or your new lock will not work in a few months....just went through it on my 32...just went through the hassel :eek: :eek: :eek: