Anyone recognise this key type?

[malcolm]

I have a pair of keys from an old Renault. Does anyone recognise the key type so I can search for replacement heads? Also what is the head of a key called?

They have kis rt10 written on them which seems to be a US brand.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Unless you want 100% authenticity, I'd imagine someone on here could 3D print those.

 

[galooph]

I found this on ebay, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263699297962

 

[malcolm]

I found this on ebay, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263699297962

Good find! I wonder if they are the original keys then. Thinking about it they'll be aftermarket as the original keys at the time were sensible all steel ones.

 

[Robotstar5]

Good find! I wonder if they are the original keys then. Thinking about it they'll be aftermarket as the original keys at the time were sensible all steel ones.

KIS were a brand used 40 odd years ago by cobblers etc. if you took a key in to get copied.

 

[dave h 2]

Good find! I wonder if they are the original keys then. Thinking about it they'll be aftermarket as the original keys at the time were sensible all steel ones.

Original ones would have the Renault logo on them

 

[Dev]

If you have one to copy you could have an entertaining afternoon mastering how to make a copy using clay and woods metal.

 

[Screwdriver]

Fun project you could make a super simple mould and cast that around the spare key in aluminium.

Easy peasy. For bonus points, stamp the mould with the Renault logo...

<edit> damn, too slow... @Dev

 

[Mick Annick]

Like this?

https://www.etsy.com/fr/listing/1521646943/cle-vierge-renault-4l-r4

 

[pedrobedro]

Also what is the head of a key called?

I don't know if anyone replied but I would call it a key fob.

 

[malcolm]

Does seem more likely the keys are aftermarket made by cobblers. They are a silly design so probably best to get one cut from a sensibly shaped blank. Or of course I have a welder...

 

[jmp49]

If you look at the key end on, besides the physical length of the bitted section, the profile is all that matters. That looks fairly simple, but cant see from above.
Ive got some app somewhere with all the different key profiles and who makes them. In the past I've cut funny shaped blanks out on a cnc mill but this is not nearly exotic enough to need that.
I think the etsy link mick posted above is the oem renault key. My oem 1980's renault master keys look similar.
Normally its not a great idea to post pictures of keys online, but in this case its probably possible to turn the lock with a screwdriver

 

[malcolm]

Normally its not a great idea to post pictures of keys online, but in this case its probably possible to turn the lock with a screwdriver

That's a good point. I've edited the photo.

 

[RonMig]

I'd be tempted to try tacking a nice Coin to it as the head...

 

[rcx132]

the original keys at the time were sensible all steel ones.

I thought quality keys are brass to prevent wear on the lock itself?

 

[KemppiFrog]

All my Renault keys have been steel. Had a few... Around 12 R4s. A 12, couple of Espaces and now a Kangoo. Keep an original Twingo as the shopping trolley/spare.

Neighbour came over recently (slightly odd, he keeps all his cars...) Had a bust key, the only one for his mother's R21 (out of use for longer than we have been here, 20 yrs)
So I carefully silver soldered it and told him to get it copied, not to use it, as the break was a very narrow section.

 

[malcolm]

I found this on ebay, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263699297962

Thanks for the find. I bought those ones. They arrived at the weekend and should be fab for another 50 years.

I'm not fussy about originality but I do wonder if these might be the original keys. They are certainly old. The Rodeo was made by a company called ACL and they were not badged as Renault for the first couple of years of production when mine was built so might not have been allowed to use the keys with the Renault logo. Maybe they popped down to the local key cutter for their own.

In any case the new fobs were cheaper and easier than having new keys cut.

 

[KemppiFrog]

I found this on ebay, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263699297962

Local woman friend with a '88 Miata showed me her (only) key for it today. Cracked at a narrow point and slightly bent. She is terrified it will break and the local agent (+ the UK one that sold her the car..) won't help, as too old.
I followed your link and got this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...kw=Ignition+key+for+Mazda+Miata+1989&_sacat=0
Looks a match! Thank You.
KF