GM A,B,C,D etc. keys

[kustomkyle]

Can someone please explain what the deal is with GM's keys? Did certain car lines use a certain series of keys (ie: A/B was for G-Bodies)?

Also, were A/B keys the only keys ever used on G-Bodies? What were C/D keys used with?

Recently discovered all of this when I went to the trouble to order new spare keys with the "GM/Mark of Excellence", only to find out that the C/D style ones won't work in a 1986 Regal.

 

[tkruger]

My 1987 Monte Carlo uses C for ignition and D for the door. Only thing I have found is that the only places with blanks are the ones that were in business when the car was produced and have NOS. These are also the only places that actually cut the kay on a grinder, not on some machine with cartridges. My local Wal-Mart has a vending machine that scans the key and then drops a cut one out for you if it can find the blank.

 

[kustomkyle]

Ok thanks for the reply. I'm guessing Chevys and Pontiacs had C/D keys whereas Olds and Buick had A/B keys? I was thinking they'd be different per car line/body type (if even).

If you want some free blanks let me know...

 

[jeremyandthemonte]

check your local chevy dealer i got my keys 3 door keys for 10$ if you want i can get some more

 

[Mat1227]

Don't think they changed the blanks between Chevy, Pontiac, Olds, Buick, Cadillac believe it was what year the car was made, believe if your car is an odd # year it will have C/D and even numbered year it will have A/B. Don't know how far back that goes, since I think my 71 Cutlass had A/B originally but I've swapped in a newer column into it to have tilt wheel. My 87 442 has C/D keys also. tkruger I believe is correct, you will only find original keys at an old key shop. My brother knows an old guy from the VA in Western Pa. that use to have a key business, and still has all the old equipment and key blanks at home, I had him get me 5 sets for each of the 2 Cutlass' we have, think he charged $20 for 10 sets.

Mark

 

[RustRocket]

I've wondered about this myself but my '82 Olds's keys are J and K, same as my brother's '81 Caprice, though he only has the J ignition key as his door/trunk key is missing

 

[kustomkyle]

Possibly just a random lottery on the type of keys a car got? Mine is a 1986.

I've been getting the keys for a little over $5 for the pair. Unfortunately, it took until the third try to figure all this out.