C3 Door locks... I have no key!

[74bigblock]

So my car has door locks, but I don't lock them, as I have no key!

Can I have keys made cheaply, or is it less expensive to replace the locks?

Thanks!

 

[Eric]

I inquired at at a locksmith about doing this for an old Gran Prix repo. I don't know if he was being truthful or just trying to get more money out of me, but he told me without a punchout, it couldn't be done. He wanted $200 for installing new locks in the doors, glovebox, and trunk with new keysets.

A new lock kit for a shark is $79 at Corvette America.

BTW - On my 71 the ignition key and the door key were one key. I guess that's not the case for yours.

 

[L48]

If you have the original knock-outs from the original key (not likely since you don't even have the key), then a Chevy dealer can make the correct keys for you. Other than that I think you are better off replacing the key barrels.

 

[JohnZ]

The door lock housings (if they're orignal) have the key code stamped on the outside of the barrel; any locksmith can make keys from that code in about ten minutes. Someone has changed either the door locks or the ignition cylinder, as they originally used the same key.

 

[kiwi vet]

Hey People
My L81 has seperate keys for doors (round top), ignition (square top) and gas cap (little key).
The door keys work fine, the gas key works fine.

However the ignition key is not really needed at all, as you can start the car without the key, just turning the chrome guard will fire it into life.

Does anyone else have this issue? as its a bit of a security issue.

 

[yellow77]

Hey 74 BigBlock, I had the same problem when I purchased my vette, so I removed the lock from the storage box behind the passenger seat, took it to a lock smith, 10 minutes later, voila, a new set of keys were cut.


Cheers

Richard

 

[74bigblock]

Sounds like I'm getting all new door locks and an ignition this winter! How hard is it to change the ignition?

 

[L48]

Sounds like I'm getting all new door locks and an ignition this winter! How hard is it to change the ignition?

I am not sure I would assume the 1974 had the same key for the door and ignition like the 71. I would ask someone with an original 74 if the door and ignition key are the same for their car. This would get you out of the ignition change. Or you could decide you don't care if the door and ignition use the same key, and just get new barrels and a round key for the doors only.

I assume you tried the ignition key in the door

 

[74bigblock]

I am not sure I would assume the 1974 had the same key for the door and ignition like the 71. I would ask someone with an original 74 if the door and ignition key are the same for their car. This would get you out of the ignition change. Or you could decide you don't care if the door and ignition use the same key, and just get new barrels and a round key for the doors only.

I assume you tried the ignition key in the door

Yup! The interesting thing is the ignition key is round! Doesn't work in either of the doors.

 

[TOMMAY]

My 74 has square head key for ign and round head key for doors.I think about any locksmith could make you a key for the price of a service call(35/50 dollars) and probably a couple of bucks for two keys.

 

[JohnZ]

Yup! The interesting thing is the ignition key is round! Doesn't work in either of the doors.

Your owner's manual will tell you which shape keys are supposed to operate which items; it's not unusual for prior owners to change locks over the years for various reasons (lost keys, etc.). Note that the keyways in the lock cylinders were also different between the two key head shapes with the original lock set; you couldn't insert the square-head key in a cylinder for the oval-head key and vice versa.

 

[GaryS]

Hey 74 BigBlock, I had the same problem when I purchased my vette, so I removed the lock from the storage box behind the passenger seat, took it to a lock smith, 10 minutes later, voila, a new set of keys were cut.


Cheers

Richard

Yep, you can take the door lock out by taking the inner panel off, reaching in and removing the keeper and the rods. Probably an hour to do it carefully. Any competant locksmith can do this so easily.

Gary