VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 more keys questions

In a recent home burglary all my keys were stolen. Each car has had its own scenario on how to deal with it. What suggestions can you all give me on re-keying my 37 pickup? Can good locksmiths re-create keys? Who might sell locks/keys?

Thanks, this is my first post here.

gene

Many of the old ignition switches were worn enough that a key wasn't necessary. I used a can/bottle opener (church key) to work the switch on my old 55.1 panel. A more direct answer is if you have the key code numbers written down any locksmith should be able to cut you new keys. You'll need key blanks B10 & B11 if you want original keys. If you don't have the numbers and the switch won't turn so that it can't be removed from the housing it becomes more challenging. There may be an experienced locksmith here that can give you the specific answer you seek but in that absence I would start contacting locksmiths in your area. I would be also asking car restorers and car club members which locksmiths are knowledgeable about old cars. All locksmiths are not created equal (at least not around here). Good luck.

I'd also try other old GM keys which can be picked up from yard sales and flea markets. I was lucky, on my third try of an old key, I was able to open my trunk handle. I took key to lock smith and he made me another using the number that was on the old key.

That's an excellent point. Some old time locksmiths & auto repair shops have large key rings with all of the keys GM used on them. A local body shop has a collection of about 50 keys that saved me when I locked myself out of my trunk. He doesn't have the full set but he just happens to have the one that worked for me.

Geneo
Welcome to Chatter.
As others have mentioned there are more locks than available key shapes therefore it is likely to find a double somewhere.
Tony