Key duplication
 

Just got a "new to me" '88 Carrera. Came with only one key. Can I have it duplicated? Owners manual says you need the "key number" to duplicate and the key tag with that number is long gone.
Thanks!
Oh, I understand the obligation to post pix of new cars in this forum - here it is:http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1176585736.jpg

You can get a replacement key cut at almost any key shop, but probably not at the local hardware store. The original keys are made out of steel and the key shop replacement will be brass. You can buy the steel blanks and have them cut, but most key shops don't want to cut steel keys as they are hard on the cutting wheel.

I had the same issue. Went to the dealership and they wanted $100 to order me a new key. Long story short, spent a day looking for a locksmith and got two keys for $2.50 a piece. And unless brass has a silver color to it...I would imagine they might be steel.

Ebay....

The dealer was happy to cut the key for me as a favor. Got the blank online.
BTW, nice looking car! GP White 87 or 88 with white wheels is just beautiful (see my sig line below :D )

I got a blank from our host & took it to a locksmith. He cut it no problem. Works fine.

I got a blank from our host too. The guy at Home Depot cut it for free. Works great and it is really nice to have a proper key for the car.

No local store has the blank which can be for our car, I checked. I bought the blank frmo a pelican member, or you can get it on ebay or anywhere (our host too?). I brought it to Lowes and they cut it for free.

When I bought my 911 it only came with a brass duplicate. I was a bit disappointed and it was very worn (the reason why Porsche makes them out of stainless steel so they do not wear quickly). I went to the dealership, showed them my registration and they ordered me one from Germany using my VIN. It came in about a week and half and only cost me $56. It was a perfect fit and worked much better than the key that came with the car when I bought it.

The only hitch is that you must still have the original "keyed" ignition switch. I count myself lucky for that.

-Matt

Our host sells the blanks for $13.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1176781344.jpg

I got one cut today at my local key place.

I had a key made at our local Dayton lock place. I'm curious though, what was the intial set of keys that came with the car. I have two alarm keys and one is still attached to the rubber half ring, then two regular keys, then one that just has a black nub on the end of it. Did they ever come with a valet key?