NOS and aftermarket Turbo keys January 10, 2008, 09:49:50 PM I have seen many key sets sold on places like eBay that claim to be original NOS factory keys when most of them are aftermarket replicas.The question of what is the difference is between the O.E. factory vs. aftermarket Turbo Coupe / XR-7 keys was asked in the Marketplace section so I thought I would try and clear it up.The material that the factory keys have is made of a charcoal black rubber type of material that when new has a "soft" feel to it. It is difficult to describe but I would say it is similar to the density of a new tire's sidewall.The aftermarket keys are made of a hard black plastic that is...well...hard black plastic.Once you have had a set of new factory keys in your hands, you will immediately know the difference but for those who haven't there are a few differences that can be picked out if you know what ot look for.In the first photo, there are 4 ignition/door keys. The two outer keys are O.E. "rubber" and the two inner keys are the aftermarket "plastic".The easiest way to spot an aftermarket key is if it has "CANADA" molded at the top in small print (3rd key from the left) however this is only on one side so look at both sides.Not all aftermarket keys have this imprint though. But there is one thing that the aftermarket keys cannot do; because they are more tapered thant the O.E. keys, they cannot stand on their side by themselves.In the second photo you can see that the factory keys will stand on there side. The aftermarket key is only standing up with the help of the other aftermarket key.In the third photo are the trunk/glove box keys. The key on the left is the aftermarket "plastic" key which has two visible circular mold marks that the factory "rubber" keys do not have. However these marks are only on one side.Brent:cougarsmily: Quote Selected
NOS and aftermarket Turbo keys Reply #1 – January 11, 2008, 12:24:54 AM Brent,My keys look like the 3rd one over from the left, but they do *NOT* say Canada on them. The trunk also does not have the mold-release marks. They definitely seem to be the hard plastic though (I found my set of keys from my first TC, that are original rubber and still in nice shape).I'll throw some pictures up for you tomorrow. Quote Selected
NOS and aftermarket Turbo keys Reply #2 – January 12, 2008, 10:12:29 AM Nice thread, Brent. This is good information.I have uncut ignition and trunk keys that are, without a doubt, hard plastic. However, neither of them have 'CANADA' on them. One of them has 'ITALY' stamped into the metal; I believe it's the trunk key.I could dig them up and take a look, if you're interested. Quote Selected
NOS and aftermarket Turbo keys Reply #3 – January 12, 2008, 04:58:04 PM Quote from: cougarcragar;197306Nice thread, Brent. This is good information.Thanks,It seems that the factory keys are getting more and more scarce and I'm sure there aren't many people that even care if they have factory issued keys or not. But I hate to see someone pay a premium price for a key that is not what the seller claims it to be, whether the seller even knows it or not. QuoteI have uncut ignition and trunk keys that are, without a doubt, hard plastic. However, neither of them have 'CANADA' on them. One of them has 'ITALY' stamped into the metal; I believe it's the trunk key.I could dig them up and take a look, if you're interested.Agreed, the second key from the left in the first & second photo doesn't have CANADA on it either. I wasn't real clear about that so I went back and made that statement in bold type. ;) Brent:cougarsmily: Quote Selected
NOS and aftermarket Turbo keys Reply #4 – January 12, 2008, 05:47:04 PM Where can I find these keys (the repros)? Quote Selected
NOS and aftermarket Turbo keys Reply #5 – January 31, 2008, 08:46:42 AM I didn't even know they made repops. Vinnie I have a couple, they're hard so I assume they're replicas but I haven't looked at them since reading this thread. Let me know if you can't find any, usually there's some on eBay. Quote Selected
NOS and aftermarket Turbo keys Reply #6 – January 31, 2008, 09:36:34 AM If you happen to find anymore.... drop me a line. I too am looking for a set. I'm not fussy if they are repros or originals.Thanks... Quote Selected
NOS and aftermarket Turbo keys Reply #7 – January 31, 2008, 11:30:42 PM Yep, they both say "CANADA". Perfect shape, though. I'm going to keep one of them, but the other is up for grabs.Let the bidding begin lol. Quote Selected
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