Kaiser Key Question

[Orphanauto]

As you know if you have been reading the post, I just received my 1st Kaiser, a 53 Manhattan. I noticed my ignition key has the "K" in it. A few questions, 1. Am I correct in thinking this key is made out of aluminum? 2. Are these keys remanufactored? 3. If not, would there be a market for some? There is a aluminum foundry close by, I was thinking maybe have some made if it's not to pricey for club members and owners to get "K" keys. 4. Did Frazer ever have a "F" key? 5. Does anyone sell or have made KF keyfobs? 6. Does the Darin use the same "K" key? thanks, yea, I'm a neebie, haha, maybe you guys in the club are thinking "where's he been" haha, so, what are your thoughts on this? thanks,

[Chris Luecht]

Hello,
I am almost certain the keys are made from aluminum and I do believe I have seen "F" keys for Frazers.
Best regards,
Chris

[Weaz]

They show up on eBay from time to time. I'd love to have a fresh set. I'm a little paranoid about losing the ones I have.

[Gordie]

I had an "F" key that came with my '51 Frazer so they did make them.  Years ago some one at the club had hundreds of NOS key blanks and took them to the National meets.  I have not seen them for a long time but try Jesser's keys on line and he may have them or replacements.  Steve Carey in PA had at least five different style key fobs for sale at about 25 cents each.  I bought one of each from him at Hershey last year.  If you make new blanks don't forget that the trunks/glovebox takes a different key.  Any locksmith can make duplicate keys for K-F but they will probably be replacements made of steel.

[FrazerWill]

http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/autonut2/1951kkeyignition-2.jpg

I would like the "F" key..

[FrazerWill]

heres the link..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1950-1951-Kaiser-Frazer-Ignition-Lock-with-Keys-NOS_W0QQitemZ200450198199QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item2eabc34ab7

[joefrazer]

Just so everyone knows...orginally the iginition/door lock key was either a "K" or "F" stamped key and the trunk/glove box lock was a plain round key.

The fellow who had the crate of keys was Ted Baker from Michigan. He sold the crate to another member who, over the years, has managed to find homes for most all of them.

[Weaz]

Really? My "K" keys work for all locks on the Special.

[joefrazer]

Yep...you're right. My 48K used one key for all locks...but the original spares would have all been plain round keys. I shoulda made that distinction! Good catch.

[Fid]

I believe it was 1952 when Kaiser went with a different key for the glovebox / trunk and I think the glove box on the Special did not have a lock. Someone told me this but I don't remember who or when.
I think Frazer always had two but... I could be wrong.   
I had a 1948 Frazer that had two different keys: One for the glove box and trunk and one for ignition / door. I had the original key, with no "F" but my brother broke it trying to open the door.  He still hasn't appoligized
My 1952 Henry J (a reserialed 1951) has one key (K stamped) that fits ignition, door and trunk but my 1953 Henry J has two keys: The one with the "K" fits ignition and door lock (passenger side if you don't want to lose judging points) and one without a "K" fits the trunk.
 The originals are definitely aluminum... so please recycle if you break one.

[Weaz]

You're right. No lock on the glove box.

[Fid]

When I got my '48 Frazer, the key for the trunk was missing. Rather than remove the trunk latch, I simply took the glovebox door off and took it to a locksmith to have a key made. Back in those days (late 1970s) that was the norm for most cars - glovebox and trunk used the same key - so I assumed a 1948 was that way. It was. The new key worked in both the glovebox and trunk latch.

[Gordie]

The aluminum keys with the K or F did not come into use until the 1951 models and they were not used before that although they may fit the blanks.  I do not think that the K and F keys were used for more than a couple of years. My low mileage '51 Kaiser's key fits everything including the gas filler door lock.