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Rickfarmer
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Joined: October 21, 2022
Posts: 1
Location: Idaho
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 Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2025 8:58 am Post subject: Ignition switch question |
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I have a 1957 German bug, somehow I ended up with this switch and key blank. Any help with model and year so I can price accordingly to sell?
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56Cabrio
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Joined: May 22, 2008
Posts: 2054
Location: San Fernando Valley, CA
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EverettB 
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Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 71525
Location: Phoenix 602
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| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2025 10:08 am Post subject: Re: Ignition switch question |
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The key blank is a Split Bug / Barndoor Bus ignition switch.
I think 1952 only for Bug and 1952 - 2/1955 for Barndoor Bus
It was also used on Oval Window Convertible Beetles for the glovebox.
The key blank there are repros so I'm not sure of the value now.
If it's steel I think that means it's an original but I'm not 100% sure on that as I haven't seen a repro key to know if they used steel.
Maybe someone else can answer that.
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56Cabrio
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Joined: May 22, 2008
Posts: 2054
Location: San Fernando Valley, CA
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| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2025 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Ignition switch question |
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| EverettB wrote: |
The key blank is a Split Bug / Barndoor Bus ignition switch.
I think 1952 only for Bug and 1952 - 2/1955 for Barndoor Bus
It was also used on Oval Window Convertible Beetles for the glovebox.
The key blank there are repros so I'm not sure of the value now.
If it's steel I think that means it's an original but I'm not 100% sure on that as I haven't seen a repro key to know if they used steel.
Maybe someone else can answer that. |
Would that make it a P code ?
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EverettB
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56Cabrio
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Joined: May 22, 2008
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Location: San Fernando Valley, CA
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Bruce
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Joined: May 16, 2003
Posts: 17589
Location: Left coast, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 9:12 am Post subject: Re: Ignition switch question |
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| EverettB wrote: |
The key blank is a Split Bug / Barndoor Bus ignition switch.
I think 1952 only for Bug and 1952 - 2/1955 for Barndoor Bus |
The key blank shown in the first two pics is an SG blank, used in Beetles from 54-59. The pre-54 Beetle and Bus keys used a key blank that was the same shape as this one, but with a VW logo instead of HUF.
| EverettB wrote: |
If it's steel I think that means it's an original but I'm not 100% sure on that as I haven't seen a repro key to know if they used steel. |
This is correct, but there are exceptions.
The German key industry used steel blanks. All genuine VW keys are steel. This extended all the way to the end of production in Mexico in 2003. Even Golf/Jetta keys were steel.
However, aftermarket keys made in Germany were also steel. The blank above is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) aftermarket blank. It is NOT genuine VW. If it were, it would have the VW logo on it. HUF sold handles and switches under their own brand name to the aftermarket, and since those sales weren't through VW, they weren't allowed to put any VW logos on the parts. Instead they used their own logo as seen above.
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Bruce
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Joined: May 16, 2003
Posts: 17589
Location: Left coast, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 9:31 am Post subject: Re: Ignition switch question |
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| EverettB wrote: |
Yes, a P-code blank
It's a little tiny key, right?
I don't want to confuse things if it's not.
Like the one in the lower left here:
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The key in the lower left is a P blank, so not the same as in the first pic at the top of this topic.
Since it has the HUF logo, it is not a key that was sold with a car, but an aftermarket OEM key.
Key nerd alert:
The P blank was used for ignition switches only. It was used in all 52 and 53 Beetles, so split dash, zwitter, and ovals. (remember, at that time the model year was Jan 1 to Dec 31).
The P blank was also used in Type 2s as you stated above.
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| overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
| ..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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EverettB
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Location: Phoenix 602
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| Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 10:46 am Post subject: Re: Ignition switch question |
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Thank you, I couldn't tell myself from the photo whether that Huf key was a P-code key vs. a larger key.
I don't think the "Huf" being a replacement key is correct, at least for Barndoor Bus ignitions. Every 1954-1955 Barndoor Bus I've owned had a Huf ignition key and I have no reason to believe all of them were not the originals.
You said the P blank was for ignition only so what key blank is used for the Oval Window Convertible glovebox?
I see people selling Oval Window Convertible glovebox latches and it has a "P" code on the lock.
You also said the P code was for Oval Window ignitions but I don't believe my old '56 Oval had a P-code ignition.
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56Cabrio
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Joined: May 22, 2008
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Location: San Fernando Valley, CA
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Bruce
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Joined: May 16, 2003
Posts: 17589
Location: Left coast, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2025 12:34 am Post subject: Re: Ignition switch question |
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| EverettB wrote: |
| I don't think the "Huf" being a replacement key is correct, at least for Barndoor Bus ignitions. Every 1954-1955 Barndoor Bus I've owned had a Huf ignition key and I have no reason to believe all of them were not the originals. |
Here's a VW document showing a photo of a P blank with VW logo.
My guess is that it's possible Huf made a substitution for a while. There could be many reasons for this.
| EverettB wrote: |
You said the P blank was for ignition only so what key blank is used for the Oval Window Convertible glovebox?
I see people selling Oval Window Convertible glovebox latches and it has a "P" code on the lock. |
Oddly, the VW literature on keys does not contain any info on glove box locks, or cabrio front hood pulls.
| EverettB wrote: |
| You also said the P code was for Oval Window ignitions but I don't believe my old '56 Oval had a P-code ignition. |
When I wrote this: "It was used in all 52 and 53 Beetles, so split dash, zwitter, and ovals." I was only referring to 52 and 53 Beetles. So all split dash and zwitters from 52, and all zwitters and ovals from 53.
Starting on Jan 1 of 54 was the SG key for ovals and 58-59 Beetles. (then all 66 and earlier Karmann Ghias)
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| overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
| ..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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Bruce
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Joined: May 16, 2003
Posts: 17589
Location: Left coast, Canada
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2025 6:08 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition switch question |
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Saw this ad for an NOS P key blank:
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| overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
| ..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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