matt69olds

In the 30 some years I have owned my Olds, I never noticed the writing on my ignition key. Did some dealers have keys with their names on them? Anybody in readerland know anything about a dealer in this city?

Appears to say Curtis Indiana


On the bottom same side says Eastlake O (OLDS?)

nicks1966

Curtis Industries, Eastlake Ohio.
They made keys and key cutter among other things for dealerships and retail locations

matt69olds

Well, crap. I was hoping maybe it was the selling dealer or some other historical info. Wishful thinking.

joe_padavano

Original GM keys either say Briggs and Stratton (yes, THAT Briggs and Stratton) or GM, depending on the year. Ilco, Curtis, etc are all aftermarket key blanks you get at the hardware store.

Olds64

That must be why later GM cars with VATS keys failed so often. They stopped using Briggs & Stratton to manufacture their keys.

matt69olds

Once again, Joe amazes us with his knowledge. The General Motors stamp is still clearly visible on my key, and due to the wear I assumed the might be original. No matter, they are still old and very well used.

The guy I bought my car from back in 88 said the car was first bought new by a family friend, and bought/sold within a close circle of people. I always thought it would be really neat to have a photo of the car in the early years. I was hoping maybe the stamping on the keys might have been a clue as to where the car was sold first.

TK-65

Briggs and Rochester Products made keys for GM. Was luck of the draw which ones you go.