cgcourson Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 Hey Guys, Anyone seen these before? I ran across these at a swap meet and trying to ID them. They all have letters on them which I presume are makes. I'm guessing 50-60s models? Top Row L to R 1 & 2 Marked with B - Buick? 3 - Marked with D - Dodge? 4 - Marked with E 5 - Marked with G Bottom Row 1 - Marked with F 2 - Another Marked with G 3-4 Marked with CP 5 -Another Marked with D 6 - Marked with CPO 7 - Another Marked with CP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgcourson Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 Thanks in advance everyone. If you have any helpful links it would be greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 The letters designate the key blank. Starting with the 1967 model year, GM used different groove configurations on the sides of the blade each year to increase the number of potential key combinations. Keep in mind that with only six tumblers of five different heights, there are only 7,776 possible key configurations (actually less since they didn't use keys that were six of the same tumblers, for example). GM built millions of vehicles each year that used these keys. The key blanks rotated every four years. A (ignition) and B (trunk) were used in 1967, 71, 75, 79. C and D were used 1968, 72, 76. E and H were used 1969, 73, 77. J and K were used 1970, 74, 78. These appear to be aftermarket. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgcourson Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 20 minutes ago, joe_padavano said: The letters designate the key blank. Starting with the 1967 model year, GM used different groove configurations on the sides of the blade each year to increase the number of potential key combinations. Keep in mind that with only six tumblers of five different heights, there are only 7,776 possible key configurations (actually less since they didn't use keys that were six of the same tumblers, for example). GM built millions of vehicles each year that used these keys. The key blanks rotated every four years. A (ignition) and B (trunk) were used in 1967, 71, 75, 79. C and D were used 1968, 72, 76. E and H were used 1969, 73, 77. J and K were used 1970, 74, 78. These appear to be aftermarket. Wow Joe, you know your stuff! Thank you! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 Look like Cadillac items to me. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-mman Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 I’m thinking that they are novelty keys and there were square monograms (letters) that could be stuck to the newly cut key for personalization. The monograms would the cover the key blank stampings. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 Probably meant for Used Car dealers to have cut, with their name and address on the opposite side of the make designation. Advertising for them each time the new owner started the car. Craig 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drwatson Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 (edited) 22 hours ago, keiser31 said: Look like Cadillac items to me. keiser & m-mman were on the right track. Similar keys are found on eBay if you google "vintage Cadillac key with crown". The Caddy Crown with its 7 pearls is seen at the chain loop. It seems the open blank area was for personalizing the keys at point of sale. Edited February 22 by drwatson (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 One year when my father insured his car in around 1967 the insurance co. sent him some similar, but not the same keys. I forget the name of the insurance co. but the keys were a give away that came with their premium " gold key " insurance package. They sat around for years, and are possibly still in with all my assorted keys in a shoe box. You were to take them to your dealer and have them cut to match your car, but my father never did. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgcourson Posted February 22 Author Share Posted February 22 (edited) Wow you guys are awesome. I should've joined this forum years ago! I have been digging on the internet for weeks on these keys. Thanks to joe_padavano for the single letter codes, but I am still perplexed by the CP & CPO designation. Maybe C=Chevy P=Pontiac? and CPO Chevy Pontiac Olds but that doesn't fit with the Cadillac? Originally got these keys hoping for a 65 Dodge Dart key Edited February 22 by cgcourson more info (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 48 minutes ago, cgcourson said: Wow you guys are awesome. I should've joined this forum years ago! I have been digging on the internet for weeks on these keys. Thanks to joe_padavano for the single letter codes, but I am still perplexed by the CP & CPO designation. Maybe C=Chevy P=Pontiac? and CPO Chevy Pontiac Olds but that doesn't fit with the Cadillac? Originally got these keys hoping for a 65 Dodge Dart key 1965 Dart keys will look like these....trunk on the left, ignition on the right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 58 minutes ago, cgcourson said: Wow you guys are awesome. I should've joined this forum years ago! I have been digging on the internet for weeks on these keys. Thanks to joe_padavano for the single letter codes, but I am still perplexed by the CP & CPO designation. Maybe C=Chevy P=Pontiac? and CPO Chevy Pontiac Olds but that doesn't fit with the Cadillac? Originally got these keys hoping for a 65 Dodge Dart key These Briggs and Stratton keys and locks were used by all GM divisions. Yes, THAT Briggs and Stratton. Chrysler also used B&S locks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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