Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

[David S.]

Hi All,

I need confirmation on the key/lock assemblies. My car is vin 12,764.

Please confirm:
1 - Door locks and ignition cylinder should be keyed alike with a J code square key.

2 - Rear compartment lock, spare tire lock and alarm lock should all be keyed alike with a oval K code key.

I know there is some speculation with VIN's and when some changes occurred, so please help me confirm.

Best,
Dave

[Terry M.]

Re: Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

Hi All,

I need confirmation on the key/lock assemblies. My car is vin 12,764.

Please confirm:
1 - Door locks and ignition cylinder should be keyed alike with a J code square key.

2 - Rear compartment lock, spare tire lock and alarm lock should all be keyed alike with a oval K code key.

I know there is some speculation with VIN's and when some changes occurred, so please help me confirm.

Best,
Dave

Your car is right at the point where the alarm lock changed from first design to second design. Do you have any evidence of which lock was originally installed on your car?

[David S.]

Re: Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

The car has a first design alarm lock. The car was tapped in the back, back in December of 1970 and the tail panel was replaced. That said, I have no reason to believe the alarm lock was replaced. Tail light lenses, corvette emblem and bumpers all appear to be factory original.

Best,
Dave

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

Your car is right at the point where the alarm lock changed from first design to second design. Do you have any evidence of which lock was originally installed on your car?

Here we go again. My weird 1970 VIN #7601 also has the second design alarm. I was never hit, had original paint & have no reason why it would have been changed. My Feb. built 70 LT-1 has the B&S alarm & key. It should be a interesting AZ. NCRS regional.

[David S.]

Re: Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

Ken,

Does your car have locked keyed alike (spare, rear compartment and alarm?).

I think my car is late enough that either option is/was acceptable. I'm more concerned about how to setup the keys..

Thanks,
Dave

[Terry M.]

Re: Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

Ken,

Does your car have locked keyed alike (spare, rear compartment and alarm?).

I think my car is late enough that either option is/was acceptable. I'm more concerned about how to setup the keys..

Thanks,
Dave

There is a difference in the size of the hole in the fiberglass. I am too lazy to look it up, but I believe the second design lock requires a larger hole. If your car is already painted, stick with the lock that fits the existing hole.

As to the key question: For your 1970 the same round head key fits the center storage compartment, spare tire lock and the second design alarm lock.
The rectangular key fits the ignition lock and the door locks.

Two different keys (J & K for 1970) fit the whole car. The car originally was supposed to be delivered with two of each of the keys.

If you have issues with keys or locks Pete Lindhal can fix you right up.

[David S.]

Re: Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

Thanks Terry.

One last question, under the assumption my car came with the first design alarm lock, does the square ignition key operate that?

Thanks,
Dave

[Dave S.]

Re: Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

Thanks Terry.

One last question, under the assumption my car came with the first design alarm lock, does the square ignition key operate that?

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,
in my opinion any car after 11,750 would definitely have the second design lock. I've seen many before that with the second design lock and my 11,756 had the second design. It would seem to me that the first design rear panels would have been used up by then. I think an exterior judge would question a first design B & S lock in a car after that VIN.

[Kenn S.]

Re: Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

No. That would be a third key, Briggs and Stratton. The image is one I found online of a '68 alarm key, but the '70 is similar.

[Dave S.]

Re: Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

No. That would be a third key, Briggs and Stratton. The image is one I found online of a '68 alarm key, but the '70 is similar.

Kenn,
Thanks for correcting me. 2nd design key is a Briggs and Stratton to match the other car keys. The first design key has a round head, it shorter and thicker. The key lock itself is different and there is a good photo of it in the JG. Sorry for the confusion.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

Kenn,
Thanks for correcting me. 2nd design key is a Briggs and Stratton to match the other car keys. The first design key has a round head, it shorter and thicker. The key lock itself is different and there is a good photo of it in the JG. Sorry for the confusion.

The first design key is a separate B&S small key with a darker center lock as in my 70 VIN # 3893 & my 70 454 is VIN # 7601 & the alarm lock looks like the door lock & uses the same door lock key & dose not say B&S which according to NCRS would be very early for the second design.

[Peter L.]

Re: Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

Kenn - The keys in your photo are "C" code keys that would have been the configuration used in the 1968 Corvette for the ignition lock cylinder & door locks, but not for the alarm lock switch. Pete

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

Kenn - The keys in your photo are "C" code keys that would have been the configuration used in the 1968 Corvette for the ignition lock cylinder & door locks, but not for the alarm lock switch. Pete

You are correct. The 1970 early alarm key is a small round top key that says B&S on it. Looks nothing like any other GM key.

[William H.]

Re: Late 1970 Corvette Key / Lock Assemblies

I have a 1970 Corvette that came in boxes and I'm trying to figure out my key situation. J is for the ignition and the K is for the locks/alarm? Or, was the B for the alarm? My VIN is 6507 (early March car). They all look original with plenty of use but not sure if somebody added a key? Thanks for the expert's opinion.

Regards,
Bill
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