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TR2/3/3A How to get the glove box open?

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Jerry

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Triumph fans. I was down to the California Auto Museum helping to examine a Triumph TR3 that was donated to the site. The docent asked me why the key does not fit the glove box. My memory says there were originally two keys to the car, one to the ignition and one to the trunk, but maybe the second one was to the glove box???
In any case, the glove box has not been opened. Do you have any ideas how to get it open?
1957 TR3 (small mouth)

I see this earlier discussion answers the keys question, but I am still interested in how to get the glove box open without the correct key.


https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcf/showthread.php?89369-TR3-keys-and-locks&highlight=glove

Jerry
 
I think the box will come out by unfastening the screws/bolts from underneath. Can't say how as mine is long gone. Once the box ($40 by the way) is out, the locking tab is held in place by hex bolt, easily removed. You could also use the car theft technique of drilling out the cylinder. Not elegant but effective. Perhaps a locksnmith will chime in with the proper procedure. Tom
 
FWIW, according to Bill Piggott, on cars up to TS60001, the ignition key operated the glove box lock. He says the later arrangement was that one key operated ignition and doors, while the other operated the glove box and boot.

First thing I would check is whether there is actually a box behind the door. They were just pressed board, and get wet in the rain, so the original has frequently collapsed. if it is missing, then you can just undo the screw that holds the locking lever to the lock, and open the door.

Otherwise, just pick the lock (or hire a locksmith to do it for you). These locks are very easy to pick, lots of videos on YouTube that show you how. A paperclip and a small screwdriver will make a perfectly adequate pick set. (The screwdriver is to hold some light turning tension on the barrel, the tip of the paperclip is used to reach in the slot and raise the tumblers until they catch in the unlocked position.)
 
I just found an old post with the same question about getting the lock open. If I can get the lock out of the car, one way or another, I can rekey it. My TR3 only has one key!

I did not check to see if the cardboard glove box is still in place. I will check that on my next visit.

Jerry
 
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