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 ·
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 ·
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 ·
your keen joel, i dont like jigsaw puzzles tho 😀
matt
h ·
yeah any good locksmith can such things angus
I recently had the bay sorted with a local locksmith
cheers paul
matberry ·
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.
Yogie ·
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 ·
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.
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!
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 ·
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).