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MG MGB Technical - Ignition key blank

Hello,


I need a substitute key blank as a replacement ignition key for my MGB 73. I searched archives and found nothing. As here in Québec city, 2 locksmiths does't seems to know what an MG is all about. I don't want to search in the whole city to find the real locksmith who still have theses blanks. Does someone has ever find a substitute.

Many thanks,
J.G.Catford
1952-JAG. XK120
1986-JAG. XJ6
1960-MGA Coupé
1973-MGB-GT
1975-TRIUMPH TR6
1989-Ford Aerostar
1989-Merkur Scorpio
Jean Guy Catford

Have you tried Moss? I believe they have blanks for virtually all years.
Joe Cook

I can't help you with a locksmith in Quebec, but when I bought my MGB about four years ago, it only came with one set of keys.

I found a "high-tech" locksmith that had the correct blanks in stock. I call him "high-tech" because he had a large store, not just a little hole-in-the-wall, and he serviced all the fancy new electronic locks found on new luxury cars. You know, the keys that cost $50 apiece and have to be programmed.

If you're not in a hurry, Moss and Victoria British both sell key blanks. They even have ones with the MG Octagon at the head. Once you have the blank, any hardware store can cut it for you.

Be a little careful when ordering. MG used several different key blanks over the years. If the ignition lock is not the original, you might need a different key. My 1970 is that way. It requires a 1968-69 key blank. The proper 1970 key won't fit.
Paul Noble

Yes Joe,

I saw in Moss catalog that it is avaliable, but I need spare keys faster that a weeek that it takes to my parts provider to get them.

Cheers, J.G.C.
Jean Guy Catford

Jean,
Just a thought. As I recall, the Moss catalog has diagrams of the various key profiles used. Perhaps you can bring the catalog to a "high tech" (thanks, Paul) locksmith and have him match the profile.

My MGA came with a key that was clearly not an MG key - it had a completely different code. It may be that you can find one for your B.

Good luck!
Joe Cook

When I had to get a replacement key for my '79B, the keymaker told me it is the same blank as Volvo, he was right and it was an inexpensive key. Hope that is the same for your '73.
Tim

I think some later MGBs (and I presume midgets) used the same profile keys as 1980s/1990s Range Rovers. Not sure when they began to use them, but I think it would have been around 1973 or 74....

HTH!
Rob Edwards

I always see these key blanks on ebay but haven't tried one yet. You could get a key cut anywhere with one of these blanks. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2423735157&category=40016



john K

Try this guy. http://www.britishcarkeys.com/

If you can give him the number off your key, he'll check to see if he's got an original in stock. I bought a spare set from him, and was completely satisfied.
Terrence Goodell

Guy. Moss does "next day air" which should apply to Canada. For the later model MGBs, my locksmith notes that there is a British Leyland key blank available through his suppliers. Do not know if this applies to the 73 model or not. But, a good locksmith should be capable of researching such things if he is interested in your business. If not, there used to be a locksmith who advertised on the MGB For Sale ads, on this site, who should be able to provide the proper blank. Les
Les Bengtson

I second the recommendation to contact Pete Groh http://www.britishcarkeys.com

British car keys is what he does, and he'll sell you either the blank or cut you a good copy of your key.

I got backup sets of my keys from Pete, and the original style, and they're great.
Kim de B

This thread was discussed between 14/07/2003 and 15/07/2003

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