The Plain Jane of Car Keys

Generally speaking, aside from Logo Keys, the Original Equipment Manufacturer's (OEM) keys are not highly sought for two reasons. Unlike the early Ford products which have a vast collector following, the other automobiles represented are widely varied, and do not appear to enjoy a similar concentration of interest.The large number of Ford enthusiasts allows an easier sharing of information.

Lack of Obvious Identification

While the Clum series for Dodge Brothers may be an exception, another problem is in the identification of the items. Clum keys with their unique shape combined with the Clum name and large DB code number markings were easily discernable in a pile of keys. Keys for most other automobiles were marked or shaped no differently than the hundreds of other keys that went to lockers, padlocks or drawers. In these cases, the only distinctive mark on a key that would identify it as an auto key would be the key code.

Key Codes

Now we enter the locksmiths's realm - understanding key codes and accessing code books. It's not enough to be a car enthusiast, now we need to be a locksmith. It's no wonder that collectors show little concern for these keys.