Lock Question - What Did The Original Factory Key Look Like?

[Captain Obvious]

What did the original factory key look like for the Z's? I'm mostly interested in the later 280 years and I know the blanks changed over the years with earlier years being different than later 280 years. Anyone have a key that they know was the original key to come with a 280 when new?

I've been working on the locks for my 280 and I'm nearing completion and I've been thinking that it would be nice to have a fancy factory looking period original key to go along with my nice reworked locks. I've already got aftermarket keys that work great with my locks and I know it's completely esoteric and unnecessary, but I think it would be a nice touch to have an original factory looking new key.

I'd be willing to spill a few unnecessary bucks for the feel good effect.

I've been through ebay, and can't find anything truly conclusive. So, anyone got pictures? Links? Anything?

[black gold man]

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/ZM/30-7459-60

http://shop.jdm-car-parts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3

http://www.google.com/search?um=1&hl=en&q=280z%20key&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1024&bih=629&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=iw&ei=Fe1hT_jxCI6Jtwf3lqGMCA

I have the key like this for my 78.

[Captain Obvious]

Thanks BGM.

Interestingly enough, on a completely non-Z related task, I was digging through some old keys at my end this afternoon, and turned up an OEM Datsun key. I've owned two 77 Z's in the past, as well as an early eighties 310 hatch, and I don't know what car this key was for, but I can pretty much guarantee that it was one of those three. I don't remember what the 310 key looked like, but this key has the correct profile for the locks on my current 77.

Here's a pic of the key, and you can see the key code stamped in it, so I assume it's factory, but I can't be sure if it was a Z key, or a 310:

Here's the OEM key with some of the aftermarket options.

Left column reading down: OEM, Taylor X7, ILCO 62DU.

Right column reading down: Great More (? number), Axxess 32, HY-KO TR25 (Toyota)

The Great More key is the ones that you get with the ebay supplied ASP cylinders and locks. The HY-KO TR25 is traditionally a Toyota blank and it would work, but the depth stop shoulder is a little too deep, so you would have to shorten the tip a little to account for that.

[siteunseen]

Here's an original '77 key. Taken with my phone so not so good, sorry. Under the big N it says Nissan Motors.

[Captain Obvious]

siteunseen, Thanks for that pic.

So you're sure that's an original 77 Z factory key, right? So unless they offered different blanks for the same year, my assumption is that the OEM Datsun key that I have here must have been for the 310, not a Z.

Interesting that the head shape for that one is most similar to the "Great More" design.

[TomoHawk]

If you really wanted to go overboard with this idea, find a place that can do laser engraving and give them the graphics they need and some blanks to do the logo and have them do up about 1000 or so units.

[Captain Obvious]

If you really wanted to go overboard with this idea, find a place that can do laser engraving

Haha! That is beyond my threshold for unnecessaryness, and mine is set pretty high!

My intention wasn't to try to recreate the original. I just wanted to buy one. But first, I had to know what my target looked like.

[siteunseen]

I'm can't say 100% sure but the man said it's the original. I don't think it's a copy. I'll get you a better picture when the sun comes up.

[sblake01]

FWIW, the 76, 77, and 78 280Z owners manuals all show the key that black gold man pictured.

Edited March 17, 2012 by sblake01

[Captain Obvious]

I'd like to see a better pic, but I don't really need it. I can tell which key that is. So no hurry. Thanks again!

[Captain Obvious]

FWIW, the 76, 77, and 78 280Z owners manuals all show the key that black gold man pictured.

Thanks for that. I took a look through the FSM and couldn't find anything. You're talking Owner's Manual, not Service Manual, right?

[sblake01]

Right, the owners manual.