Show some pictures of your unique car keys

[Terry Bond]

West, I believe you've found something to collect that I have not thought of yet -the search is on!!!!

Terry

[hddennis]

This is a key provided in the aftermarket magneto replacement kit brought out by Atwater-Kent in early 1917.

 

 

 

Howard Dennis

[Terry Bond]

I do have an interesting key! 

The British AA (Automobile Association) was founded in 1905. It was founded originally to aid motorists to avoid speeding fines but later developed into a more general motorist assistance operation similar to what our own AAA is.

in the later 1900s, the British AA had installed hundreds of "boxes" throughout the country.  They were actually manned by sentries who would salute passing motorists displaying the AA membership badge on their vehicle.  These "sentries" would often warn of speed traps.

later, when the sentries were no longer used, AA members had a special key to open these roadside boxes so they could telephone for assistance, directions, etc.  The key is an example of an earlier style that was issued to members.  the key evolved over the years but this example is probably from the 1920s.  They periodically show up for sale on evil-bay.

 

Terry

 

 

 

[Ed Luddy]

On 7/12/2022 at 11:54 AM, keiser31 said:

1981-83 Chrysler Imperial crystal and gold key....

I still have a perfect uncut one of those! Cartier

[arcticbuicks]

Let's see some pictures of car keys ,some I have seen are quite styled and some suit the car ,what do very early keys look like ?

[West Peterson]

2 hours ago, arcticbuicks said:

Let's see some pictures of car keys ,some I have seen are quite styled and some suit the car ,what do very early keys look like ?

Arctic...

I've merged your thread with this one, since it's basically the same idea.

[CChinn]

Vintage car keys….A new item I now need to look for at Hershey next year! 😀 Thanks for another great thread on the forum

[drhach]

Not a car but a motorcycle. 1974-1976 BMW. When it's in the switch, it looks like part of the headlight. 

 

 

[John348]

On 7/14/2022 at 11:21 PM, Laughing Coyote said:

 

Also can be used as a trunk key.

I always thought it was a Bronx Master Key

[BobinVirginia]

Used the keys to my first car today for the first time in almost 20 years. Been  sitting in a garage of Dads since 2005. Realized I had some treasures in the trunk

 

 

Edited October 27, 2023 by BobinVirginia (see edit history)

[marcapra]

here are some of the keys for my 48 DeSoto.  Some are aftermarket, and some are factory blanks.  The keys I got with the car when I bought it in 1980 are a Yale and Curtis key co.  I have an after market Chrysler key fob from my old 50 Chrysler, and a 1980s Dodge/Plymouth key fob from Pep boys.  

Edited October 28, 2023 by marcapra (see edit history)

[30DodgePanel]

As far as unique being the criteria, I'd have to include the Dodge crest keys from the 50s and 60s, especially the gold plated version. 

 

 

 

The Comet also had a unique gold plated that should be considered.

Edited October 29, 2023 by 30DodgePanel (see edit history)

[JACK M]

I have one exactly like this. It is still on its card that it came on new.

It is marked Dodge 49 and up.

It's in a bit better shape than this one.

I have had it on my desk for years and never done anything with it except to look at it.

Any interest?

 

[keiser31]

25 minutes ago, JACK M said:

I have one exactly like this. It is still on its card that it came on new.

It is marked Dodge 49 and up.

It's in a bit better shape than this one.

I have had it on my desk for years and never done anything with it except to look at it.

Any interest?

 

Always interested in vintage MoPar stuff for my display cases.

Edited October 29, 2023 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[Mark Shaw]

Atwater Kent Key:

 

[hook]

On 7/12/2022 at 7:16 PM, 8E45E said:

I believe that is an aftermarket key blank sold at shopping mall keycutting kiosks.  GM never offered anything that nice.

 

Craig

I don't think the question about showing your unique car keys said anything about having to be original issue by the car manufacturer. The 
Olds key is great.

[8E45E]

2 minutes ago, hook said:

I don't think the question about showing your unique car keys said anything about having to be original issue by the car manufacturer. The 
Olds key is great.

Now with 3D printing, we can design and make our own!  

 

For those concerned about originality, it WILL be a factor, and agreed, VW keys are among the more unique ones.  VW (and I believe MB) also had safety padded keys in the '70's, which I believe are hard in good shape now.

 

Craig

[hook]

20 minutes ago, 8E45E said:

Now with 3D printing, we can design and make our own!  

 

For those concerned about originality, it WILL be a factor, and agreed, VW keys are among the more unique ones.  VW (and I believe MB) also had safety padded keys in the '70's, which I believe are hard in good shape now.

 

Craig

That may be true with 3D printers. However, my Mercedes key head is 14K gold. Now-a-days with 3D printers and artificial intelligence I'm not sure if I'm real or not!

[Brass is Best]

Here are a few more:

[arcticbuicks]

some nice aftermarket keys.......i remember seeing some of those now

[JACK M]

Not car keys but have seen some pretty wild rest room key "fobs" if you will.

I recall one station I worked at as a kid that was 13-inch wheel.

[8E45E]

2 hours ago, JACK M said:

Not car keys but have seen some pretty wild rest room key "fobs" if you will.

I recall one station I worked at as a kid that was 13-inch wheel.

That's what I would hand someone when they asked if we had a can opener!

 

Craig

[CChinn]

Here is an aftermarket Ford key blank that commemorates the American Revolution Bicentennial (back side). Also the box it came in. What is unique is that I found it in Okinawa, Japan a few months ago

[CChinn]

[marcapra]

Here is an aftermarket DeSoto key blank with a rarer key fob with the DeSoto medallion.  These are still in the original cardboard displays.  Looks like it came out in the late 50s.  I don't know why the application skips some years.  

[8E45E]

6 hours ago, marcapra said:

Here is an aftermarket DeSoto key blank with a rarer key fob with the DeSoto medallion.  These are still in the original cardboard displays.  Looks like it came out in the late 50s.  I don't know why the application skips some years.  

As I stated earlier, its these I remember seeing at shopping mall key-cutting kiosks.

 

Craig

[8E45E]

On 11/1/2023 at 7:12 AM, hook said:

Now-a-days with 3D printers and artificial intelligence I'm not sure if I'm real or not!

 

Did you ever meet your mom & dad?