VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 KEY'S

While talking to one of my elder relatives about the key's for my,37MD, she brought up an interesting comment. She told me, back in the day, there was one key for the ignition, one for the passenger door and one for the trunk & glove box lock! I asked what car this was on? She thought it was on a 37 Pontiac but wasn't sure. Was this correct or not? Thank's
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Joe's37

General Motors cars had one key for the ignition and door and one key for the glove box and trunk. Also shows ths in my 1938 Pontiac owners manual.

Gene,

As you pointed out to me regarding my 1950 I sold, it only had one key for all four locks,

Best,

Charlie

BTW: I heard some time long ago back in the day, that the same GM keys "cuts" were repeated on a rather small number of cars? Something like every sixteenth, or so. That if you took your 1941 set of keys and used them on all other 1941s then the average of cars they would work on would be about one in every sixteenth or so depending on the actual number of repetition. Know anything about this?

Thank's Gene, so apparently, down through the years, my glove box lock was changed. Right after I read your reply I went and tried the trunk key. It fit alright, but when I pushed the key in and went to turn it, it would not turn! So I'll have to figure out a way to pick the lock to get the cylinder out to have a key made. I know-I know, take it to a lock smith and spend a hundred bucks for ten minutes work? no thanks! Thanks agin.
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Joe's37

Charlie, the one key fits all started with the '48 model.

Okay, Thanks

Best,

Charlie

BTW: I need you to PM me your mailing address. I check my PM every day owing to the fact that I can't get rid of the stinkin' alert blinker.

The key began in 1935 and went to 1966. This means that a key for a 1935 Chevrolet could also work in a 1966 Cadillac. Millions of GM cars shared less than one hundred key combinations................

Gene,

That is why I keep a collection of gm keys like those used in 41. When I go through them trying to unlock something it's surprising that I don't have to go through very many to find one that works.
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Thanks and best,

Charlie

Good point. Try each and every GM key you have. If I am not mistaken dealers had a set of keys that was "close enough" to unlock any GM lock, and it consisted of about 52(?) keys. If you can find a locksmith that has a set, it might be the easiest way, also it should match the trunk. I wonder which has been changed?

1936 or 1937 Pontiac (mentioned earlier in the thread) should have a key for trunk/glovebox and another for ignition/door.

Since the lock is already unlocked (key head flat to the ground), you must pry the spring out of the back, and then wiggle the catch around until it comes out. Then and only then will the key (if you had it) or picking (since you don't) allow you to turn the cylinder another 90 degrees clockwise. Once it turns that last 90 degrees, it will come out, and the little piece that was holding it in will come out the back.

You must make a tool to go in the bottom (or top) of the slot to hold light tension on the cylinder in the clockwise direction. A paper clip bent into an appropriate shape might work, You need to keep the side of the slot where the key notches go clear for picking, but still hold light clockwise tension. It needs to be small enough not to get in your way, but big enough not to slip and release tension.

Then with another tool, possibly another paper clip, or maybe something fashioned from other stiff metal push up on each tumbler. You go after them in the area the key notches would be. There are five. When you feel a little click, you got one, but don't let the tension off or you will lose it. You wont know what order to go in, because that depends on inconsistencies in the lock parts and wear. Keep trying all of them until the lock cylinder turns.