Picked these up on ePay. Should I cut 'em?
:D
I vote cut them if you dont already have a set cut. I love mine :D
The way I am, I'd have to get another set. I'd keep them uncut until I got another set and then would compare the two and keep the nicest ones uncut.
This is coming from the guy who keeps diecast cars mint in the package unless he has 2 of the same ones. :crazy:
Zach, if you're just looking to have the "turbo" keys I could probably send ya the ignition cylinder and key from my parts TC - I'm pretty sure that has the plastic key and it's in good shape. The door cylinders you'd be on your own for, though, as the ones on the TC are all seized up.
I have a trunk lock with a plastic key if your interested its from an 87-8 TC
I have my "turbo" keys, came with my car when I bought it. Seems like everyone makes a big deal about them, do they get lost a lot or something?
Umm, they're still being made. I don't see the fascination with keeping them uncut?
Well, I was just thinking about the future.
Let's advance five years to a point where I will have this car "done." I plan on going over every nut and bolt of it.
I'd like to have the uncut set for car shows. Does that not make sense?
No not really. If you are really wanting an uncut set then just buy another set and cut one of them while they are still readily available.
Well, I thought about that too. I have the original keys to the car. They look identical to the new keys that I bought.
I just didn't want to buy another set for that particular reason.
I have one major concern:
In 20 years' time, the keys and locks wear out. If I have these new keys cut, won't they get "notchy" and jam up in the locks? The tumblers inside the locks must be as worn as the keys are, right?
I can't speak for your particular car, but I bought a brand new set of Ford keys for my car and had them cut. (I could pull the original key out of the ignition while the car was running.) I have never had any problems from the new keys. They work fine in the locks and the ignition.
As do mine. And BTW, those keys in your pic are the reproduction ones. I got about a half-dozen sets 2 years ago for $5. They're great to have cut and use instead of the originals, I've done it for all of my non-parts car TC's.
Well... I kind of feel like an idiot now.
I wouldn't if I were you Zach. You've got a nice car. It's admirable that you think enough of it to want to preserve an uncut set of keys to show with it one day. Wish I had one as nice as yours, especially with that shagy interior.
Thanks, Jim. Out of all of the Cougars I've had, I "connect" the most with this one. I absolutely love it... which is why it's so hard for me to decide what color(s) to paint it.
Also, the interior isn't as shagy as it looks in the pictures. ;)
I think they will be making these keys for a while. They havent really changed that much. I used an uncut key for my cougar on my dad's 78 van, and it worked fine for the lock. I dont think we need to worry about keys too much, but either way, at least your thinking of your car.