Toyota key... original?

[Dwaynem884]

Hello all,

New to the excel scene and ownership, so gonna be a lot of stupid questions. Don't say I didn't warn you.....

Did Lotus actually send out their cars bearing a key with Toyota stamped on it? I know the steering column etc. comes from the Mk2 Supra.
I'm in need of a new lock barrel, the key won't physically turn. I just assumed it had been replaced at a stage but I'm looking at SJ's website and the one they have available has Toyota stamped on it too.

I've noted also that in the handbook the figure of the key there is the same shape but without any inscription.

So my query is... what key came from factory?

Thanks,
Dwayne

[MetBlue]

I can't imagine any car company providing keys branded with a competitor.
My key has the black head, but unbranded.
Blanks can be bought in USA for pennies. I've been tempted before now to buy 10 or 20, but never got the need.

Tony

[MetBlue]

Just looked. My key head is branded Ilco and is blank no TR33-P.

[Excel SA]

Wouldn't your average locksmith have generic blanks over there for car keys? I have copied a few car keys here in South Africa - for a Mazda etc. where the original was starting to break.

Neil.

[rbgosling]

Like Tony, my key has an unadorned black head.

[Dwaynem884]

Could anyone post a pic please.

[alanmoss]

I have my original keys from 1991, and if you hold them at the right angle with a suitable light source you can see where the Toyota badge was sanded (or similar) off.

[Tanz]

I have my original keys from 1991, and if you hold them at the right angle with a suitable light source you can see where the Toyota badge was sanded (or similar) off.

My keys are exactly as Alan says. You can just make out 'Toyota' if you look carefully.

[AndyC]

And regards it being a competitor's brand, Toyota were owners of Lotus for quite a while.

[Alan_M]

I bought a new genuine "Lotus" ignition barrel from a main dealer which came with it's Lotus part number tag, but I'm sure the key has the Toyota emblem - I will check.

[supraholic]

Another fascinating thing to compare with my Supra. I looked at my Lotus keys and at least one of which is exactly as alanmoss and tanz describe with the word "Toyota" having been 99% sanded off (the other key being an obvious hardware store copy). The head tho is a different shape from my original 85 Supra key. I actually have three for my Supra, one being the small plastic coated head, another, the one I've used for 30 years being a very well-worn metal Toyota logo key and the third, the metal Toyota logo valet key. Now looking at my Lotus keys tho, just noticed that they both have the narrow tip, so all I have is two valet keys, apparently one being the original valet key. I would have thought that the valet key wouldn't work the gas cap but it does. Its not critical to lock the glove box, but I'll have to put it on the list of things to address.

[Dwaynem884]

Another fascinating thing to compare with my Supra. I looked at my Lotus keys and at least one of which is exactly as alanmoss and tanz describe with the word "Toyota" having been 99% sanded off (the other key being an obvious hardware store copy). The head tho is a different shape from my original 85 Supra key. I actually have three for my Supra, one being the small plastic coated head, another, the one I've used for 30 years being a very well-worn metal Toyota logo key and the third, the metal Toyota logo valet key. Now looking at my Lotus keys tho, just noticed that they both have the narrow tip, so all I have is two valet keys, apparently one being the original valet key. I would have thought that the valet key wouldn't work the gas cap but it does. Its not critical to lock the glove box, but I'll have to put it on the list of things to address.

Yea i had a MK1 MR2 so instantly recognised the key and thought the barrels had just been changed.

Baffled that the cars were sold new with keys that said Toyota in some way or description (despite best efforts to 'sand' away)

[Phantasm]

I had a new key made from what I believe was the non original key which was heavily worn. The new blank was for a Mitsubishi. I then grinded the tumblers in the glove box to that key and now my single key opens all door locks, glove box, fuel door, and ignition. Ahhhhh. It's the little things.