1965 Ignition Switch

[Mike M.]

I need to replace the ignition switch in my '65 Coupe. I notice that none of the usual vendors carry the '65 switch (they show 'discontinued'/not available/etc). They have the other C2 switches but not the '65. I see a new one on Ebay but it looks cheap. What do you '65 guys do about ignition switches?
Thanks for any guidance.
Mike

[Larry M.]

Re: 1965 Ignition Switch

Mike:

The original switch should be GM # 1116660 or Delco # 1463. I could not find a listing for this particular switch on Ebay today, but did find one place that supposedly has NOS in stock. Price is $$$. PM or email me for the name if you want to pursue. Let's see what others have to say.

Larry

[David L.]

Re: 1965 Ignition Switch

Mike,

The 1116660 switch (cast. "660" on the housing) was used on the 1965 Corvette and 1965 Chev. passenger car. GM # 1116660 was discontinued sometime between Jan. 1982 & Jan. 1990 and replaced with GM # 12322803. GM # 12322803 currently sells for $33.51 (list) from GM. GM # 12322803 is also a replacement for the 1116661 switch which was used on 1965 Chevelles and 1965 Novas.

An NOS 1116660 switch would probably sell for big money. You might find one at a swap meet for cheap money but it might take you 30 or more years but I would not count on it.

Dave

[Gary B.]

Re: 1965 Ignition Switch

Mike,

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Pete Lindahl has a correct ignition switch for a '65.

Gary

[Larry M.]

Re: 1965 Ignition Switch

Mike,

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Pete Lindahl has a correct ignition switch for a '65.

Gary

I agree that a call to Pete should be made. I will provide his phone number to Mike.

Larry

[Mike M.]

Re: 1965 Ignition Switch

I agree that a call to Pete should be made. I will provide his phone number to Mike.

Larry

I have contacted Pete (he actually contacted me) and he does have the ignition switch. I have sent him the $. Thanks for all the help.
Mike

[Jack H.]

Re: 1965 Ignition Switch

Tiny subtle running changes between the 1-year only '660 switch used in 1965, the '673 switch used one year only in 1966 and the '686 switch for 1967. Some judges can tell the differences, but most can't. One that's obvious to those who've tried PV, is the early version(s) of the switch had no provision to make it difficult to rotate the key into the ACC position (past OFF/LOCKED). A complaint was an inexperienced owner in a hurry would simply turn the key as far as it'd go and jump out of the car. Then, on return, many found they had a dead battery from leaving the ignition in ACC mode for a long time!

Whenever I find a decent '660 or '683 at a scrap yard, I'll pull clean it up, lubricate it, test it and offer it for sale on eBay as a used/tested part. But, decent used originals are getting as scarce as the cars they were installed in!

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1965 Ignition Switch

The pattern between the end of the tumbler and the matching deep end of the switch, IMO, are unique to 1965. also, the black fiber mask should be present and have a circle opening (not a "v").

[Peter L.]

Re: 1965 Ignition Switch

Wayne - As usual, GR8 photo. The configuration of the end of the '65 ignition lock cylinder and the receiving piece in the '65 "660" ignition switch as shown on the photo was used by GM on the various ignition lock cylinders and ignition switches for many years prior to 1965. The interesting thing is that '65 was the last year for this configuration combination. In 1966 the end of the ignition lock cylinder changed to a "blade" type configuration and the '66 ignition switches had a corresponding internal slot. This blade/slot combination was used on Corvettes from '66 to '68 with the in-dash ignition switches and on some trucks that still had the in-dash ignition switches into the later 60s and possibly into the 70s.

Pete

[Joe R.]

Re: 1965 Ignition Switch

Cudos!!! That is the way that "Gentlemen" do business!

When NCRS members need help others lend a hand!

JR

[David L.]

Re: 1965 Ignition Switch

Has anyone ever rebuilt an ignition switch? The "660" housing is still in very good condition. Can I use the internal parts from an equivalent aftermarket ignition switch?

In searching for other parts I came across an original "660" switch (1965 Chev. & Corvette) that I must have bought at a swap meet sometime within the last 30 years. The reason that I set it aside years ago was that the brown Bakelite (?) was seriously cracked in two places so I took it apart just to see what things looked like and then forgot about it.

Enclosed are some photos.

[Murray S.]

Re: 1965 Ignition Switch

Gary Can you provide me with contact info for Pete Lindahl. I also have a 65 with a later ignition switch in it (found this out at the Altoona Regional 2012) Thanks Murray Sobol NCRS#:17630

Mike,

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Pete Lindahl has a correct ignition switch for a '65.

Gary

[Gary B.]

Re: 1965 Ignition Switch

Murray,

I'll send you Pete's contact info via private e-mail.

Gary

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1965 Ignition Switch

There's two NOS '660' specimens [with Delco box] on eBay right now; one at $169, the other at $200 (you pull the string) ... Ouch !