I bought a coach key from TRF when I first got my TR3. It was a cast
part. Not only has it worn a bit (despite not having been used much),
it's not long enough to clear the covers on the boot "budget" locks.
When I bought my parts car, which had been sitting in a farm truck since
1960, it had a welded coach key of the right length in the boot. It
shows very little wear, despite the fact that I use it all the time.
Musson, Carl wrote:
>I have one of each - plus a homemade one that my dad created about 30 years
>ago because he couldn't find the original. The original is a hardened steel
>whereas the newer replacements are much softer. It had to be filed down
>(dressed up) to fit in the bracket. I have thought about trying to heat it to
>see if it would harden, but have not had the opportunity.. Most of the time I
>use the handmade one as it has a wooden t-handle that is much easier to grip.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>>In the 1950's they were made out of better metal than his new
>>
>>
>reproduction (like most all parts these days). There was no need to dress the
>key up.
>I use the original on for my TR3 and there is no sign of wear. Just a nice
>old part patina.
><
>
>I have two original parts (one of which is freshly re-zinc-plated) which show
>wear (a mild step partway up) but are both perfectly serviceable. I'm not
>familiar with the new ones.
>
>
>
--
George Richardson
1957 Triumph TR3 - TS15559L http://www.key-men.com/triumph
1975 Triumph TR6 - Undergoing restoration
1972 Triumph Stag - Daily Driver
Key Men: Keys for Classics - http://www.key-men.com
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