Ultimate Early Car Key/Ignition Switch Year to Year Differences & Re-keying

[combatic]

Hi all,
I am looking for information regarding the year to year differences for the ignition switch & keys from 1964-73. Who can re-key and how do you rekey all the locks and ignition to match?

I have a 1969T that the PO swapped the ignition switch out for a later model switch and I don't have the keys. I would like to get the correct ignition switch and and doors/glove box etc to all match per OEM but as I search the classifieds here to purchase the right switch I don't know (for example) if a 72' ignition switch is the same as a '69 and so on. There are long keys and short keys and steering locks etc. Hopefully this thread can be a source of info for the early guys in a similar predicament.

Thanks all.

[ossiblue]

69 was the last year that had a short key ignition without the steering wheel lock (at least some did--you never know when changes occurred). Also, the wire connections on the back of some of the ignition switches on a 69 were spade connectors whereas later units were pin connectors--yours may have been modified--72 is definitely the later version.

If you want to go OEM, you'll have to track down a 69 or earlier ignition switch. However, since your are going to need a locksmith to key your current set-up, it may be possible for him to rekey the tumblers in the doors and glove box to fit the long key needed for your current switch. Don't know if that's possible due to the length of the tumblers but it may be worth a try.

[69911e]

My '69 (manufactured 10/68) has the long key with steering lock, I believe because it is a Euro.
Try contacting Tony lockandkeyid.com. He knows Porsche locks.

[combatic]

Ossiblue & 69911e,
Thanks for the information! It sounds like I have to determine which key style (long/short) my car is. This may be as simple as trying out the long key and short key in the door locks and observe how far the key goes in the lock. My buddy has a 66 and a 69s that I can compare with and also look at his ignition switch.

Tony @ lockandkeyid.com for Porsche re-keying. ✔check

[itsa6911]

FWIW,
My Early euro 68 (#69) had short key and steering wheel lock

[combatic]

itsa6911, I am starting to understand that in 1969 there were rolling changes happening in the factory with the key/locksets. I will have to crawl under the dash and look at the steering column and see if there is hole where the wheel lock used to be? I am curious if the the steering column determines the type of ignition switch needed. ie- steering wheel lock style column requires that type of ignition switch. Can you use a non-steering wheel lock switch in that column?

[combatic]

example of a 1970 911 ignition switch with steering lock (year unverified)

[combatic]

1966 911 ignition switch with steering lock. (year unverified). The steering lock feature appears to have been an option very early on.

[itsa6911]

My 68 was early 67 production,(#69) sadly no longer have it.
here is a pic of my spare 68 ignition switch, its identical to my original, (same p/n) the electrical portion is an easy swap,as is usually what fails.
I believe its possible to use non locking switch if you removed the existing locking assembly, dont they mount in the same location? doing a search in the 911 forums and you should find info as to that.

Guess I need to clean out spare parts I no longer need....