1977 lost keys, no local locksmiths

[Hiraeth Bones]

This is my first classic car so i’m new here. Mechanic lost my only remaining set of keys for my Thunderbird, and i live in an extremely rural area in the midwest, so there are no locksmiths for about 100-200 miles. A coworker of mine said with old model vehicles it was common for the ignition keys to be standardized, if true how do i get a new one? And as for the doors he said they could be replaced with a common door tumbler that you could get from an auto/department store. Is this also true?

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[Frankie the Fink]

Mmm....skeptical, about the "common door tumbler" but yes often there were a limited number of key cuttings for a model make/year. Vintage Chevys often could be started with the keys from some other GM product. I'm talking 60s, not sure that's true with late-70s cars.

If you're not willing to have a mobile locksmith come that far perhaps you can mail them your door lock and have them make a key. Does the car have separate ignition and door keys ?

I think the mechanic should pay for the screw up.

 

[74 Harley]

You can purchase door locks and ignition tumblers at your local parts store. Changing door locks is easy, the ignition will probably have to be drilled out. It's only a 6 pin so it is not too bad. Just drill until you get all the pins and the you can rotate it to the point for removal.

 

[Critterpainer]

If your ignition key opened the driers or passenger door, it might be easier (and less destructive than drilling the ignition) to remove the inside door panel and remove the door lock and find a locksmith to mail the cylinder to so they can fit a key to it.

 

[Frankie the Fink]

If your ignition key opened the driers or passenger door, it might be easier (and less destructive than drilling the ignition) to remove the inside door panel and remove the door lock and find a locksmith to mail the cylinder to so they can fit a key to it.

My suggestion above in fact, I would be loathe to drill out an original ignition cylinder not even counting the damage that could occur. Frankly, I would make a day trip of 100 miles on a mini-vaca with the lock cylinder to an old school locksmith to have it done right and stay original...