The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Original Key for 57 ?

How many of you have the original key for your trucks?
I only have one key for the ignition. Is this supposed to fit the door too?
I thought it was the original key, but am puzzled at what is written on it. It was clamped with a small wire cable around the steering column. Looked to have been there all its life.
It is a GMC and here is what is on the front side: GM in big letters in the center with (your key to greater value) around the edge. The words (knock out) are near the hole.
Now the puzzle: on the back is some kind of emblem and it has (Briggs and Stratton Milwaukee) around the edge. Has (8090) near the hole.
Is this original? Thanks, Wayne.

yes, Briggs made the GM keys - original trucks I've seen had different keys for ignition, door and glove box [if it had a lock]

Bill

Thanks Bill. Never would have thought B&S made the keys, interesting!
It works the glove box, but I have the door handles off and cannot tell if it works the door. It will go in and turn, but I think my lock needs taking apart and lubed.
Another strange thing: The manual says the locking handle goes on the right side. That is where mine was. I thought someone had swapped them.
Why not on the drivers side?
BTW, I have just had two more keys made. Gonna keep from wearing the original any more. I would hang it on the rear view mirror, but it don't have one. LOL.
These things are fun, learning all the odd stuff.

Pretty cool to have your original key, even cooler that a PO clamped it up that way to preserve it. Put the original on your key ring, just don't use it, quite a conversation piece.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/11597806626/in/set-72157631868452754
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/14395879377/in/set-72157631872034068

KMAC

I guess if the vehicle came with all the locks from new, they'd have been keyed alike .... I should add that B&S made the actual locks, which is why they supplied the keys, for decades they supplied most of the auto industry with lock cylinders .... for the lock on the pass side, been discussed a ton here, no documentation found but that's just the way it was until the 60's

Bill

People say key against curb for safety, then slide across. Others say let the lady in first from the sidewalk, then ask her to open for you. Probably both.
If you find a blue GMC key fob that says "Blue Chip", it's worth hundred$.

Very, very interesting. Sure would like a Blue Chip fob.
Brad, my key does not look as good as yours.
While on the subject, how does the door lock work? I know you push the handles backward and they lock.
Does the key actually move the inside handle or just keeps you from pushing the button?
I am just now working on these, and don't know how it's supposed to work. Thanks.
Wayne

Allows you to push the button.

The inside and outside locks are two different mechanisms. The inside handle locks the latch mechanism. The outside lock prevents the button from being pushed.

I don't know about Task Force/Blue Chip years but the '54 assembly manual clearly states one key fits all locks. I suspect TF/BC trucks were the same.

Thanks to all for the info. Since my key fits both the ignition and the glove box, it must fit the door too.

Wayne

One more question. Will you lock yourself out if both handles on the inside are in the backward position? Even tho you have a key?

No. If the handle is forward, it will not latch. I'm sure someone has figured out how to lock themselves out, but that is the way my '51 Chevy works.

Try it with the windows down.

The Task Force/Blue Chip trucks are the same way. The only way you can lock yourself out of the truck would be to have the outside lock(s) locked, and leave the key in the truck. The inside locks can only be locked from the inside with the door already shut.

Thanks, I will test it like Woodswarrior said.

I have an original key for my 59 truck it is a "BD 10". The key fits the door, ignition, glove box and wheel lock.
I tried getting replacement keys that turned out to be "BD 12". They looked just like original ones and the still had the kockout. They fit the door and ignition but not the glove or the wheel lock.

The correct blank is a B10. A B11 will work. It is the same key with a round head as used in GM cars for trunk keys. I don't know what a BD12 is for.

What is the knockout for?

The knockout has the key code number on it. You punch it out and save it so you have a record of the key number for obtaining a replacement key.

Thanks, I should have known that, because of the number on the back.

Fun fact; The B10 key blank also fits the locks used on Kennedy tool boxes.