We have scoured the internet for a key blank that looks like the attached image. Anyone have any ideas? It's for the doors, and the ignition key is just a generic rectangular GM key, so I assume it isn't original.

Note how worn and soft the key looks - it opens the driver door if you hold your tongue just right, but will not unlock the passenger door.

 

Those show up almost weekly on ebay, but it is an aftermarket blank, not factory.

Your car should use GM rectangular head blank for ignition and doors and oval head blank for glovebox and trunk.

A good locksmith will have the correct blanks (think they're "A" and "B"), possibly even with correct GM logo and can cut the keys, or if your locks are worn can rekey them.

GM used Briggs & Stratton keys from 1935-66- the old octagon and round head blanks. They started using the rectangle and oval head keys in 1967 thru the mid-late 80s. These keys will have a letter A thru H stamped into the shank to identify the blank's cross-section. They generally used the same cross sections about every fifth year; i.e. 1967, 1971, 1975, 1979 and 1983 use "A" and "B" blanks, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984 use "C" and "D" blanks, etc.

Sometimes Toronados don't follow that pattern, and the compact and midsize cars didn't start using them till 1969. We had a 68 ElCamino that used the B&S keys.

And yes, that means that a 1967 key could possibly open and start a 1983 car, for example.

 

Aren't there enought tumblers and cross sections in the ignition and door lock that they had about a BZILLION different combinations? I would think that an older key working in a newer car would be slim to none. Even though it is technically possilbe. Learn something new every day.

 

You can open an Olds glovebox with a lockpick in about 9 seconds.

 

Olds64 - I've got an Olds book somewhere that has reprints of old Olds road test mag. articles. In one mid-sixties article they're talking about the improved security feature for the year being more key combinations. They stated the previous years combinations and it was a low number. Something like 32, maybe a little more or less. but I was surprised how low it was.

Sorry for the off topic post.

Don

 

Wow! That is interesting. Thanks for the info Don.

 

It's almost a shame that the boring rectangular and oval keys are the stock replacements - this one is so pretty. Thanks for the info, everyone!