328 Passenger Rear Seat Pouch Lock Key

First, let me start by clarifying that this thread will primarily be of interest to those who value every detail of owning a 328, particularly concourse entrants. If you’re not one to stress over the smallest details than this isn’t for your consumption.

In my quest to fully appreciate my 1989 328 GTB I have found a few things that required deeper learning and investigation. One of the biggest challenges was understanding the source of the original mini key for the lock on the pouch which is on the back of the passenger seat.

Originally, 328 owners received with their sets of keys one, in some cases two, tiny keys for this lock. Over time many were discarded or lost. Still, in my search, I have come across many owners who were kind enough to share photos of what the original keys look like. I always took notice two interesting markings on the keys. One side had what seemed to be a logo. The other side had the number 47 within a circle. After some deep investigating, I learned that the small lock on the pouch was made by a Swiss luggage lock maker named Amiet. The logo on one side of the key is the Amiet logo. I contacted Amiet and enquirerd about the number 47. I was told that they still make the exact key today for luggage locks but the the 47 version was retired. Today’s key, though precisely identical, has the number 37 on it. The Amiet logo is still enscribed on the opposite side. I have attached the email from Amiet explaining all of this. Lastly, for those who have this key but it has no inscriptions on it, they told me that some earlier versions may have been blank. Also, they said it was always possible that keys could have been delivered to Ferrari without inscriptions. So, I don’t have a firm answer for those that may wonder.

I hope this answers some questions for those who have wondered about this little key, as I’ve seen a few threads discussing it. I personally have two original 47 keys for my car, but Amiet was kind enough to send me 10 37 keys. I’m happy to offer them, no charge.

Below I am posting the email from Amiet and photos of the key. Out of respect for the woman I dealt with at Amiet I have removed her name.

 

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My email correspondence from Amiet.

 

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Original pouch lock keys.

 

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New keys sent to me from Amiet.

 

Just a lot of online digging, talking to other owners and taking to people that worked in dealerships at the time.

PM me.

 

You are correct. Good eye. It would seem that the new version “37” is longer than the original version “47”. Both still work on the pouch lock.

For those like me who are extremely particular, I do have a tip on how to find a period 47 key. Go on eBay and search for “Amiet vintage luggage” or “Amiet vintage briefcases” or just “Amiet vintage locks”. You’ll likely find items with the same locks from the 80’s that were used on the 328. I suggest that you confirm with the owner that the key comes with the item and that it has the number 47 on it.

 

I have 10. Anyone that wants one please send me a PM.

 

Just a quick note - I only have two more of these keys left. I just don't want to over commit to anyone. Happy to offer them free of charge. I just ask for a self addressed envelope sent to me. PM if you're interested.

 

All the spare Amiet keys I have are now spoken for.

 

As with many things of that era, consistency is the issue. As I noted above, blank keys seemed to also be common, particularly in earlier cars. Amiet themselves said that this is quit possible. I too have seen blank versions. That said, the vast majority of key sets I have seen (from what I would believe as credibly original) have the markings on them. So, I guess my conclusion is that both are true.

 

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Nobody is trying to discredit anyone here. As I said, I’m sure both cases are true. Here are photos of two other key sets from high end cars. Could some owners of these cars (and mine and others I’ve come across) have lost the original “blank” keys and gone through the trouble of replacing them with keys all stamped? That would be an unlikely scenario. So again, given the times and how things were often done back then (and what Amiet told me) there is no question in my mind that both options are the case.

This thread also shows that another owner has a stamped key. I was merely trying to offer some information and clarity. Again, both are likely the case:

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/which-seat-pouch-key-is-original.386638/

 

Oh lord. Yes, I posted them when I first began the process of trying to figure out the originality of the keys. Since doing so, I learned what I clearly described above. Enjoy the key you have. Im sure it’s an original. I never meant to say it wasn’t. I was trying to share the information I uncovered and offer some free keys (#37 non originals) from the original manufacturer to others who may not have one and don’t care if what they have is an original. I’m done here.