Do You Remember Needing Two Keys for One Car?

Photos show a vintage pair of brass-toned mechanical car keys made for General Motors (GM) vehicles. Each key is stamped with a STAR maker’s mark and specific blank identifiers—details that helped locksmiths, dealerships, and vehicle owners match the correct key profile for older GM lock systems.

Name of the Item

• Vintage STAR Key Blanks for General Motors (GM) Cars
• Often described in listings as a set including: B46 (P98) and B47 (S98K)

Key Identification (What the Markings Tell You)
From the stamped text visible in the images, these are the most important identifiers:

• Brand / Maker Mark: “MADE IN U.S.A. STAR”
  • The head stamp includes the large STAR logo and worn lettering that appears as “OBRIOJ / HBRIOJ” (likely part of the original stamping/line name, now partially obscured by wear).
• Vehicle Application: “FOR GM CARS”
  • This indicates the blanks were intended for General Motors vehicle locks (classic mechanical systems, not modern chip keys).
• Blank Codes (Critical Info)
  • B46 (also stamped with P98)
  • B47 (also stamped with S98K)
    These codes identify the key blank type/profile, which determines which GM lock cylinders the blank fits before it is cut.
• Additional Single-Letter Stamps
  • One key shows a “J” on the shank
  • The other shows a “K”
    These are commonly seen as internal production or batch identifiers.

When Were They Made? (Time Period)

• The keys are described as vintage, and their construction and style match the era when solid metal mechanical keys were standard for cars.
• No exact manufacturing date is stamped on the keys in the photos.
• Based on the material, stamping style, and “FOR GM CARS” blank-format labeling, they are most consistent with mid-to-late 20th century automotive key blanks, produced before transponder and smart-key systems became common.

Who Created/Made Them?

• The keys are marked “MADE IN U.S.A. STAR”, indicating they were manufactured by a STAR-branded U.S. key-blank maker.
• General Motors is referenced as the intended vehicle fit, but the physical blanks themselves were produced by the key manufacturer, not by GM.

What Were They Used For? (Purpose and Function)
These keys are best understood as automotive key blanks—metal keys made in a specific profile to match a vehicle’s lock system.

They were used for:

1. Replacement keys for older GM cars
   • Owners could obtain a correct blank that fit the lock’s keyway, then have it matched to their car.
2. Dealership and locksmith service work
   • Shops kept inventories of blanks like B46 and B47 to support common GM applications.
3. Covering multiple lock functions on some vehicles
   • Many older vehicles used more than one key profile (for example, one key for ignition/doors and another for trunk/glovebox).
   • A two-key set like this often reflects that older, multi-lock arrangement, though the exact use depends on the specific GM model and lock configuration.

Why This Set Is Interesting Today

• Collectibility: Vintage automotive keys appeal to collectors of GM memorabilia, classic car restoration enthusiasts, and vintage locksmithing/automotive hardware collectors.
• Material and patina: The brass-toned finish and visible wear suggest authentic age and handling.
• Clear compatibility stamps: The bold “FOR GM CARS” plus B46 / B47 makes the set easy to categorize and display.