<VV> Ignition locks keys letters

[Frank DuVal]

Despite thought to the contrary,

All GM cars used the same key blanks from 1935 to 1966. Only in 1967 did 
Briggs & Stratton (The GM supplier of keys and locks) change their time 
long design. And then only slightly.

So from 1935 to 1966, the key blanks were B-10. These are the octagonal 
shaped heads, so very GM. The B-11 has a pear shaped head that has the 
same cut, so it fits the same locks. Only the head design is different 
from B-10 to B-11.

In 1967 the change was in the cut (extrusion) of the blank. This is the 
A and B key blanks. The A still had the octagonal head, and the B had 
the pear shaped head. A=B-48 blank , B= B-49 blank.

1968 brought us the C and D blanks. Also still with the small octagonal 
and pear heads. C=B-50, D=B-51

1969 brought the E and H blanks. As far as I can tell, this is the first 
year for the large rectangular and oval headed blanks. This large head 
style stayed until at least the late 90s on GM vehicles. That's just the 
head style, the blanks still had another change to go. E= B-44, H=B-45  
No, I do not know why the numbers are out of cronological order...

1970 (no Corvair content) brought the J & K blanks.  J= B-46, K= B-47

When new, the blanks A to K would not fit any lock cylinder except the 
letter it was made for. After things wear, sometimes wrong blanks can be 
inserted into different cylinders. And at one point there were 
replacement cylinders that accepted several different letters, to keep 
down the number of cylinders needed in inventory.

After a while, all the replacement A, B, C and D blanks had the large 
heads. So many a 67 and 68 Corvair now have large head keys installed.

What was the question?

OK, 60 to 66 Corvairs use the same key blanks for ignition and doors, 
the B-10 blank. They can also use the B-11 blank with the pear head, and 
these are usually found as the trunk key for 65 and 66 models. There is 
no early vs late key blank situation.

So, if your Corvair key does not easily slide into the 64 lock, it might 
be an A or C key. Look along the edge that slides into the lock and see 
if there is a stamped letter near the head.  Or it could be your lock 
just needs lubricating to let the new not worn out key blank to slide in 
easily. Use Lock Ease.

Frank DuVal


On 4/7/2013 9:03 PM, Jason Cesana wrote:
>
> Hey folks. I recently picked up an uncut key with the word CORVAIR inscribed
> on it. I was going to have it cut to match my latest Corvair a 64 Monza. I
> checked the key before having it cut and it does not slide into the
> ignition. I checked the key to the one that works and they seem to match. Is
> the late models ignition similar but not exact to the earlies? This might
> help explain this. Thanks
>
>   
>
> Jason Cesana
>
> CORSA President