Did '64 LeSabres and Wildcats have a single key locking system?

[BamaWildcat]

When I bought my parents car out of the junkyard, I ended up needing three keys to open it, as there was a different key for the trunk (cylinder had to be replaced), ignition (was replaced), and doors and glovebox.

I read in the CARS, Inc. catalog that one style of key for 64 is for the trunk and glovebox, and the other style of 64 key is for the doors and ignition. This would make sense for valets, etc.

Here is where I scratch my head:
In my factory service manual, it states if you lose your ignition key a locksmith can make you a new key using the code on the glovebox lock.

So, anyone own a '64 that can chime in on this? I have since replaced locks from my parts car (http://www.1964buick.com/interior_rehab.htm), so I am now down to two keys.

[Wildcat GS]

Hi Joe,
The `64 Buick literature points out the single key locking system.I know Buick went/returned to the dual key sytem in `65. Hope thius helps. :beer

[BamaWildcat]

Ah ha!

Thanks.

[Brian]

My '64 Skylark has the single key system (one key fits everything on the car), and both my '65s have the dual (one for door/ignition, another for trunk/glovebox).
The easy way to tell is to look at the ignition switch--the single key system used in '64 has the ignition switch that has "fingers" that stick out around the key and has the words "acc, lock, off, on, start" on the ring around the key socket. It is the kind that will let you take the key out of the car while it is running. They carried it over to some of the early '65s (I am guessing to use up inventory), then they switched to the 2 key system. I have seen a few early '65s with the single key system. The two-key system ignition swtich is the one you are used to seeing that has no works on it, and the nut/ring around the key hole has little notches all around it to up a spanner wrench on for tightening it up.

[BamaWildcat]

My ignition:
http://www.1964buick.com/ignafter.jpg

[Brian]

That is the kind that is in my '64 Skylark with the single key system. You should be able to take the key out with it in any position. Since it had only one key, they made it that way so you could open the trunk without having to turn the car off to get the key out to go use on the trunk. Yours being a LeSabre, it could be different, but the Skylarks with that ignition switch just had one key.

[Bad Boattail]

Since it had only one key, they made it that way so you could open the trunk without having to turn the car off to get the key out to go use on the trunk.

So,

If you have a two key car, you never put them together on 1 key ring ?


The fact that you could remove the key was for privacy reasons:

When someone borrowed your car, he/she couldn't get into the boot or glove box :TU:

[lob87WE4]

My 64 Wildcat uses 1 key, same for the 63 Wildcat

[Bad Boattail]

Here's a scan of a 1964 owner's manual:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v57/ErikBoattail/64Manual.jpg


Great for thieves: the person borrowing the car couldn't lock it :Dou:

[BamaWildcat]

Alright, ya'll have me convinced. :cool:

The replacement ignition switch and truck lock go to the locksmith on Tuesday, and by the weekend, I hope to be single-keying it!

Thanks all!

[BamaWildcat]

Done with the locksmith!

For $20, I got my ignition cylinder and truck cylinder re-keyed. :beer

Hooray, the car matches factory for the first time in 20 years. :bglasses: