Ignition Keys - Vendor Recommendations Please

[dklawson]

I know that the usual vendors have ignition key blanks suitable for my '72 Spitfire. However, their prices for the "WS" type key blank I need run anywhere from $15 on up.

The PO of my car installed a new lock and I only have one key. I'd like to have a couple of extras but I'd like to get a better price than $15/each before I have them cut.

If you know of a good source for these key blanks, please share it with me either here or in a PM.

Thanks,

 

[Andrew Mace]

Doug, do you have any "old-time" locksmiths in the area? In other words, one that's been in business longer than, say, last Thursday?

Otherwise, two I've dealt with very happily are Key-Men and Pete Groh's British Car Keys.

 

[TR3driver]

You might check with George at https://www.key-men.com/ or poke around on eBay.

Also Pete Groh at https://www.britishcarkeys.com/

If you can link to someplace that shows the design, I might even have one in the parts bin. I bought a couple of assortments that came with a lot of keys I didn't need.

 

[dklawson]

Thanks for the links Andy and Randall.

The blank I'm looking for is a type "WS". If this link works, you can see the profile in a picture from Moss' catalogue.
https://www.mossmotors.com/Graphics/Products/Large/BAC-431.gif
The picture is looking at the end of the key like it was pointing at your eye.

I searched the NASS Yahoo group threads on the subject and one person implied that a certain later model Mazda key blank could be used but they didn't say which Mazda the key was for nor did they identify which BL key blank (and there are a bunch of profiles) the Mazda key matched.

There is one older locksmith in my general area. The only problem is he does not have weekend hours and is too far for me to drive to during business hours. However, your suggestion of an older locksmith might still work. I just need to focus my attention closer to where I work than where I live. Thanks for that.

 

[TR4nut]

Here's a possibility from a quick web search:
Leyland WS key blank

oops, sorry didn't read your note thoroughly enough - I see you've found them already at this price..

 

[tomgt6]

Just look in the local yellow pages under locksmith. I have two in town who will cut new keys for about $4 buck a piece. One of the locksmiths has just about any type of key I have ever looked for. A good smith will have a great inventory of blanks. They are not fancy banks but what do I care. I don't need to look at them while driving.

 

[Don_R]

Doug,

If the locks are the same as a 73 1500 you might try

KEY blank MZ12

The keys that came with my 73 are Mazda keys


COLE Blanks MZ12 D80K
Fits Mazda


that is what is stamped on the keys...

hope this helps

 

[TR3driver]

Here's a better price on WS blanks:
Triple-C.com

Looks like I've got 3 of them, two Silca DM1R and one ILCO FT6R ... make me an offer.

Good luck with the "old time locksmith". I called one some 30 miles away who assured me he had blanks for my Stag ... when I got there he changed his mind. Good thing I brought some with me

 

[dklawson]

Thanks again all.

I found an Ilco PDF catalog and an online vendor whose information crosses/matches all the information shown in Randall's last link and the Mazda information posted by Don.
Also available from here:
https://www.sunshinelocksmith.com/catalog...p;products_id=2

With that information I'm going to check locally first. All these options at roughly $5/key (plus cutting) are better than the $15 from the regular British parts sources. However, I will pursue local old-time locksmiths as well.

Thanks again to everyone for the information.

 

[swift6]

I know the local Ace/True Value Hardware stores will cut keys for free if you bring in the blank. Might be worth checking out in your area.

 

[dklawson]

No local lock shops or hardware stores had the blanks. The places that are likely to have the key blanks are only open 8:00-5:00 M-F and are not at all convenient to where I work. I decided to order the blanks online from the company I posted the link to in my last post. Free shipping and $2.70 / blank. The local True-Value hardware said they will cut the keys for me if I can supply the blanks. I ordered 4 so I should end up with one or two good keys even if they make a mistake cutting them.

Thanks again to all who posted suggestions.