Let's see your old school car keys

[Leftfootwonder]

The cover of the latest evo magazine really evokes the tactile delight of just having a physical key to turn in an ignition barrel. You sense the anticipation of a great drive, even before you twist it, which is totally lost with modern 'lozenges'.



(Pic stolen from evo mag thread)

So on that topic, let's see your 'proper' car keys.

[Hurricane52]

[AlexRS2782]

No need to post mine as evo seem to have covered my 205 GTI by using a Peugeot key as the top middle key of their cover image.

I also chuckle at the fact the master key for my Mk1 Focus RS in '03 is exactly the same layout as the standard issue keys that came with and started my '91 escort LX that i bought as my first car in '97.

[droopsnoot]

AlexRS2782 said:

No need to post mine as evo seem to have covered my 205 GTI by using a Peugeot key as the top middle key of their cover image.

Similar here - the bottom left is the key for my Audi coupe.

[Turbobanana]

Great thread idea, OP.

Here's one of two sets that came with my Lancia Fulvia Coupé:



There's a lovely tactile quality to old keys which is lost today. That said, I'm sure none of us miss that sinking feeling when you turn the key in the door / ignition and it slowly snaps, leaving the blade inside and you holding the stub. Some were more prone than others: my old SAAB happened to have a key pattern that meant they had a weak spot about a third of the way along. In 21 years ownership I broke two. Conversely, some older FIATs and Lancias had girders for keys. And don't get me started on mid-late eighties Fords.

[ARHarh]

How about a spade key for an Austin Seven or Morris 8 and no doubt many more pre war cars.

[jeremyc]

Thankfully I have nothing but old school keys.





Complete with original 1971 key fob.

[Dapster]

Leftfootwonder said:

The cover of the latest evo magazine really evokes the tactile delight of just having a physical key to turn in an ignition barrel. You sense the anticipation of a great drive, even before you twist it, which is totally lost with modern 'lozenges'.

I think my old mk1 MR2 key is middle bottom.

My mid 90's K series Caterham had an ancient key from some 70's Leyland tat like a Marina

[Riley Blue]

ETA: BTW, the car that these keys fit is in a state of disassembly in a garage, untouched for over a decade.

Edited by Riley Blue on Friday 16th May 06:06

[RSTurboPaul]

Is it possible to cut keys from a picture?

Just wondering...

[bangerhoarder]

RSTurboPaul said:

Is it possible to cut keys from a picture?

Just wondering...

Yes, I've had them done that way. Advise that people just show the fob and not the key itself.

[Bluevanman]

[ARHarh]

bangerhoarder said:

RSTurboPaul said:

Is it possible to cut keys from a picture?

Just wondering...

Yes, I've had them done that way. Advise that people just show the fob and not the key itself.

Yep I have had keys cut from pictures but its not really much use getting a key cut unless you also have the car or know where its parked. That would take some research, much easier just to nick the Nearest range rover if you want a car.

[RSTurboPaul]

ARHarh said:

bangerhoarder said:

RSTurboPaul said:

Is it possible to cut keys from a picture?

Just wondering...

Yes, I've had them done that way. Advise that people just show the fob and not the key itself.

Yep I have had keys cut from pictures but its not really much use getting a key cut unless you also have the car or know where its parked. That would take some research, much easier just to nick the Nearest range rover if you want a car.

People often post identifying information on here - anyone looking for a particular car for 'export', for example, might well find the research time required to pin down an address or general location of an owner to be well-rewarded!

[Riley Blue]

FS keys are easy to buy:

https://www.ukmgparts.com/catalogue/accessory-key-...

[jeremyc]

RSTurboPaul said:

Is it possible to cut keys from a picture?

Just wondering...

Or save yourself the bother and take any old bit of bent metal that will happily open and start most classics.

[5 In a Row]

Image stolen from a well known online auction site but they all look the same.
I also still have the notorious red key.

[2172cc]

Even after PSA had bought Chrysler in 1979, Talbots still had the blue key with the old logo on them by the time my car was sold in 1983.

Edit: for what its worth, I've blurred the key profile just in case.

Edited by 2172cc on Thursday 15th May 13:04

[LightweightLouisDanvers]

[Leftfootwonder]

jeremyc said:

RSTurboPaul said:

Is it possible to cut keys from a picture?

Just wondering...

Or save yourself the bother and take any old bit of bent metal that will happily open and start most classics.

Ah, I hadn't realised that. Apologies. Maybe not the best thread idea after all...but yes any old classic can be stolen pretty easily so probably not a big concern.