"Union" keys

Wilmott Breeden/Union locks are now made by Weston Body Hardware and the keys come with the WBH logo. If you want original Union keys go along to a classic car show and check out the trade stands.

FS/FP series keys are commonly available, they were used widely on

The series were later used on filing cabinets/office desks in the 70's and 80's as this was considered about the right level of security, rather than for automotive application.

As for a genuine Union key, I'm not 100% sure Union still supply branded blanks for these series of locks, (if indeed they made them in the first place. It may well have been Yale or someone else) I expect they are too long out of production by now, and you'll probably have to put up with pattern blanks. Again, a locksmith would be able to inform you if it's possible to get genuine ones.

Alex

Had the opposite problems with an 88 Carlton once; we came out of a restaurant and couldn't open the car. A friend had mistaken it for his similar Carlton and tried to unlock it; the key had pushed the lock tumblers into unfamiliar positions where they had stuck.

Onlookers gave all sorts of useful advice about trying the other side, or breaking a window, but these cars had double-locks and once double-locked from the driver's door they could not be opened any other way, even from inside!

It took about 15 minutes of frantic key-waggling and door-banging to get in!

I have cobbled together a page with illustrations of the most common vehicle ignition keys used throughout the 50's and 60's. The page also has a list of original FP, FS, & FT and a few others which I have available for sale.

Thanks, Richard - you have two of the three keys I need!

I just need to confirm if my '64 Mini is an FS or FP series, and I'll send you an email... I'm getting some contradicting theories on another board!

Anyone with a floor-start "dry" 1964 car care to tell me if their key is an FS or FP? My '64 was made in March or April 1964.

Thank you :-)

-- Howard Rose

Richard, you have mail!

-- Howard Rose

In case you don't know (I didn't till someone told me recently), there's a bit steam fair/ car thing at Blandford this week. Don't know what the jumble is like, or really what the even is like, but might be worth a visit?

It's 13 quid on the door though :(

Yup, the Dorset Steam Fair.. hopefully going but 12 quid?!? That's more than last year!

I hope they take student discount :-P

The autojumble is absolutely massive, but it's mostly piles of crap... you always go with hope though.

-- Howard Rose

I'm keeping my fingers crossed someone I know's going to give me one of their passes for a day :) Otherwise double figures would seem a bit high, but then it could be worth it, don't know till I've been.

I lost track of the dates, otherwise one of those piles of crap might have been mine ;)