re-keying locks

karmann54 Officially Full-On Dubber

337 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 10 Jan 2010, 8:23 am

#756740

Some years ago when I had a '54 cabriolet, a guy called Gabriel(?) in LA rekeyed the ignition/hood/door locks so that they all used the same key.

The one modification to my '63 ghia was a non-original ignition switch (no idea why). Also the exterior door handles are badly pitted. A few years ago I ended up buying some NOS exterior handles, and a NOS ignition switch. The only problem is they all have different keys (2 each).

Is there anyone in Australia who could re key the locks to have the same key? If not does anyone know if Gabriel (I think that is his name) is still operating- he used advertise on the Samba a bit but I haven't seen one with a quick search.

I'm really after an 'old school' locksmith, with a stash of old VW locks.

Any help/leads appreciated.

Thanks, Angus

matt Insano Dub Head

743 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 10 Jan 2010, 8:29 am

#756742

i had some done to a type 3 a few years ago by my local locksmith, i assume any locksmith would be able to do it

matt

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 10 Jan 2010, 9:20 am

#756752

as above any decent lock smith should be able to do it
vw tumblers are very basic
i pulled apart and rekeyed the door and engine lid lock barrels in my first bug to get them to match, its just like a minature jigsaw puzzle

matt Insano Dub Head

743 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 10 Jan 2010, 9:43 am

#756758

your keen joel, i dont like jigsaw puzzles tho 😀

matt

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 10 Jan 2010, 9:46 am

#756759

yeah any good locksmith can such things angus
I recently had the bay sorted with a local locksmith
cheers paul

fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse

Fantasy http://seventhchronicle.com

Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity

Barrels www.barrelman.com.au

VW Workshop - aircooledgarage.com.au
allcooled.com.au

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 10 Jan 2010, 9:56 am

#756763

Any 'local' guy only if the keys are all the same series, ie style of grooves are the same. Angus, we used to use the locksmith on Days rd. The Grange, had a heap of VW knowledge and stuff.

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!

1,608 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 10 Jan 2010, 1:02 pm

#756795

I used a locksmith on Wynnum Road at Cannon Hill. It is about 1km past the Toyota dealer on the left side of the road as you head in to the city. As Mat said though, you need to have the same key profile for it to work.

Yogie

karmann54 Officially Full-On Dubber

337 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 10 Jan 2010, 1:04 pm

#756796

Thanks all for that. I had to go OS for the oval as cabrio hood locks are a bit thin on the ground in Oz.

Matt, yes they are all SG style keys. You wouldn't remember the business name by any chance? The Grange is a bit of a drive from Manly, like to make sure he's still around.

Cheers, Angus

matara Custom Title Time!

1,342 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 10 Jan 2010, 1:10 pm

#756798

Angus,

Gabe is still doing keys in the US. Here is his website:- http://web.me.com/gabvwkey/Site/Welcome.html

Bookwus Seriously Crusin Dubber

120 posts · joined Aug 2007 · 10 Jan 2010, 1:11 pm

#756800

Hiya karr,

As has been already advised, a local locksmith should be able to do you well. Matter of fact, there is nothing complicated about rekeying the doorlocks on a VW. I have done that myself a few times. Quite easy.

As for Gabe, I believe that I read he's moved to Texas and doing business from that location.

And here's Steve Sandlin's webpage. Steve is also located in Texas and is a first rate VW locksmith. Vw owner too!

http://www.steveslockshop.com/

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck

Have an AutoStick? Check out www.auto-stick.com

karmann54 Officially Full-On Dubber

337 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 10 Jan 2010, 2:44 pm

#756813

I missed Yogies post about a locksmith, he must be in the Morningside shops from your description - that's a lot closer to me at Manly! I'll call in this week some time.

Thanks everyone, I didn't want to have three separate keys.

Cheers

Angus

Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!

1,608 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 10 Jan 2010, 4:44 pm

#756828

Morningside sounds right. I don't get over that side of town much. It is at the start of the shopping strip there. From memory it is near K Rudds electorate office (or some other pollies office).

Yogie