key blanks a little insight and help please

[slant6billy]

I always come across folks selling "original" or NOS mopar keys (uncut blanks). Is there any thing to watch out for? Are there different blanks for different cars / years? Can a lock smith just copy/ cut these blanks to one's need? Are these even available at lock/ key stores? Last time I needed a key copied, I went to the dollar store only to be told by the clerk the key was too unique. Same with Home depot and Loews. So I know of a decent locksmith after that go around. The double set in the pic is for sale not far from me for 10 bucks. I figure it is only 10 dollars, but my quest for the knowledge is bugging me!

Any help?

 

[Jack Meoff]

Not sure if you even have Home Hardware in the States (not home depot) but at one time they used to have those blanks. I don't see any reason why those blanks could not be cut to match yours.....unless they're idiots.
I'm 99% positive that Chrysler keys are identical from the late 60's though to the early 80's. Any decent hardware store that doesn't have a moron working there who can actually operate a key cutter should be able to cut those blanks for you....

 

[Jack Meoff]

Some further clarification.....


http://www.key-men.com/cars/Chrysler.html

These are examples of original Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth and DeSoto key blanks that we stock. Chrysler tended to use the same basic keys from the 1930s up through the late 1950s, just varying details of the appearance. Up into the 1950's the "DPCD" type keys were used. Before WWII the keys were shorter and had a double shoulder design. After the war, the keys were a bit longer, and there was only one shoulder. During the late 1950's and into the early 1960's many different designs were used on the heads for the different cars, and then in the early 1960's Chrysler started using the same keys for all cars, all with the Chrysler pentastar logo on them.

Some keys were made of aluminum and as a result are very scarce now, but except for those, we have a good stock of NOS Chrysler product keys going back into the '30s and earlier, including the Yale Omega keys used during the early 1930s.

 

[slant6billy]

thanks much Captain. I'll be driving over to get them tomorrow or Sunday.

 

[Jack Meoff]

Further redundancy......

I find it fascinating how you guys make me read up on things that I'd never even think about..

Upon checking out the keys from all three of my cars....
The Volare and Caravelle ones are identical in size and groove design (1980 and 1980) the 1987 Fifth Ave ones are longer with a different groove design.

The Caravelle and Volare ones have a B stamped on them.

More reading here might be in order before pulling the trigger on that set.

http://www.key-men.com/shopping/show_cat.php?catid=Chrysler


I believe this is what you want.

http://www.key-men.com/shopping/show_key.php?catnum=1770CH-OEM

 

[Jack Meoff]

And even more....sorry I like to be thorough.....

In the first pic you see me Caravelle and Volare keys side by side.
Identical....

Then you see the Volare and 1987 Fifth keys side by side.

.

You can see the groove is longer and wider on the Fifth key.
Something to keep in kind.

My suggestion is to simply physically compare the groove lengths and widths on your keys compared with the blanks....if they're the same I'd say you're golden.....

:eusa_think:

 

[slant6billy]

I noticed the length issue too. I was at Chryslers @ Carlisle the last few years and every 3rd vendor had keys. Like a dope, I didn't have my keys to compare, but I had lost keys when I was travelling a few years back. Screwed up part, I did not have a need to even have those keys I lost on my person. So now, I keep my truck keys, volare keys, and other "once a week key" in a cabinet in my house. I'll bring my keys with me and compare them to the blanks. If the tip length is the same, I'll throw down the 10.

 

[slant6billy]

As well the width and groove same too

 

[slant6billy]

Looking at the local seller's pictures. The groove length looks similar to mine. There is an "A" on the keys not a "B". I wonder if that was the discontinued line?

 

[Jack Meoff]

Looking at the local seller's pictures. The groove length looks similar to mine. There is an "A" on the keys not a "B". I wonder if that was the discontinued line?

Could be....I saw that too.
They do look the same as the B ones though.
A could be first gen of those keys??

 

[slant6billy]

Update: I made contact with the seller. He might have a few of these, so I may have caught a break. He said his father worked at several mopar dealerships. I'm thinking he may have more than just keys. I'll being heading over after work on Monday. Might be other NOS stuff

 

[Jack Meoff]

Could be a small goldmine.....

 

[Jack Meoff]

Well......I've just been educated as to what the A and B is stamped on the keys.

When you bought that car new you'd get two sets of keys with it.

The A set....and the B set....... boiiiinnnngggg!!! :toothy10:

Learn something new every day....

 

[slant6billy]

Holy crap, mark this day! Chrysler wuz too clever for their own good. I swear, there were pissed off folks back in the old mopar days as well some folks with too much time on their hands to put detail at such mundane items. But still, i'll take it over lame, limp wrist modern " go through the motion/ fake the orgasm" jelly bean eco car.

 

[Jack Meoff]

Holy crap, mark this day! Chrysler wuz too clever for their own good. I swear, there were pissed off folks back in the old mopar days as well some folks with too much time on their hands to put detail at such mundane items. But still, i'll take it over lame, limp wrist modern " go through the motion/ fake the orgasm" jelly bean eco car.

Lol!! Same here.....

"But my new hyondissanyotibitchi is a great fuel efficient vehicle"

 

[slant6billy]

More comparison. 79 volare keys compare to roadrunninmark's 71 cuda keys.

The cuda column key (one with the pentastar) has the side grooves further back towards the pentastar. The trunk keys are the same minus the top notches

 

[slant6billy]

Well I got them. "A" keys. Thats 2 ignition/door and 2 trunk. All for 10 bucks. McGee locksmith cut them for $1.50 each. So I now have original Chrysler "A" keys cut for my car - 2 sets for 16 bucks. Try to buy a new "Chipped" key for that price.

 

[Jack Meoff]

You gotta like that.....very cool!

 

[slant6billy]

The seller had a few more sets (2 ignition/ 2 trunk) for $10.00. I have his number, so if anyone wants, I'll pass it on in a pm and I can mail for the price of the key and postage.

 

[Jack Meoff]

PM sent.