77carerra,

Other than color the most notable difference is the plastic top. The black master key has the thin flat side pointing up and the red valet is pointing down.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1294261576.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1294261674.jpg

I will locate my original set of keys and verify the grooves for you.

Interesting. Never noticed that before!

Also, many of these keys are interchangeable. I mean like literally get in another 911, start it up and drive it away. Maybe it's wear on the keys and/or tumblers. Sometimes they will only unlock the door. But if you're ever at a large Porsche event and somebody loses or locks their keys in the car, just have everybody try their own key and one is likely to open it up.

Original '71 keys:



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1294264561.jpg

True...the key to my '89 fits both of my '74s. Both '74s also fit each other.

The blank it's self didn't change for many years so the years would be interchangeable. I am not sure what year my style blank started or ended for that matter. My car is a 1974 I didn't buy it until 84 and didn't get a new key made for a few years after that so the blank was the same well into the 1980's. I would think maybe the blank went until the body change in 1989 but I don't know for sure. I put my original set of keys away but before doing so I had a newer style key made. My master key is the larger top with the light and my valet is similar but the top is about 1/3 the size. Also the blank is removable from the head.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1294270308.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1294270281.jpg

Curtegerer I apologize I directed my response to 77carerra I meant to address you.

The original style keys are readily available. I took the pics posted from various websites of our hosts completion so I will not name any sources. Look at our host first if not available here just do a google search for Porsche key blank and your year.

good luck.

Hey guys,
from what I understand the valet keys are not the same thickness as the Master keys. This is what allows them to be cut the same and yet only one has access to all locks. If you look at the pics in my early response you will notice the difference in the master key groves used on the 74 and the valet key (the red one to the left of the 74 key). All these keys may have blanks that can be either red or black but the master key blanks will allow for all groves to be cut. This is why most of the replaced master keys are so large.

Same thickness, just cut a little differently. Sorry about the poor quality of the cell phone photo. Original '74 master and valet key:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1294293974.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1294293986.jpg

I THINK the thickness difference is apparent where the key meets the head. If you look at the valet vs. the master you will see that the master is more asymmetrical at the top, and I think that is te thickness that is being talked about.

Michael

Nah..it is just the photo and 35 years of wear on the master and almost no use of the valet. Looking at them closely...and in person, they are the same. Also, the pix show the opposite sides...so you need to compare the red one in the first pix to the black one in the second. I have a master for my other '74 that had much less use and it is obviously the blanks were the same thickness. There is no reason that one could not get a valet key cut from a more recent, lighted blank if they liked...but repro ones like the red one are available and cheaper...so why would anyone?