It all started out that I was trying to get a spare key for my QV as one of the original Neiman all metal key was lost and only one left. I got 2 OEM key blanks earlier and was all happy until the time came to have one of them cut. Yeah, all local locksmiths that I reached out to refused the job as its a steel key blank AND it looks antique and Made in Germany... Alright, I can live with one original but I need a couple more for normal driving use and as backup keys. That's how the thought of a project to make a key blank copy myself popped up. I'll skip all the troubles of getting it done, here is the final result after three months of work: Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login I have only the original and one OEM blank to compare at the moment as the other OEM blank is at the key factory currently. The new repro blanks are not steel nor brass but nickel-silver with 15% nickel content and then nickel plated. It's a bit harder than normal brass used for key blanks but not as hard as steel ones. Nickel-silver is a superior material than brass and much more expensive raw material but it has a silvery appearance that is close to steel. So even after wear, it should still look similar to OEM ones instead of turn yellow after plating wear down like the previous brass repro that you can still get for dear money on eBay. I think it's done pretty well and here are some closeup pictures for comparison: Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login If you compare the different keys, you will notice even the OEM ones vary slightly in shape, possibly due to different machining process of batches or other reasons. This is a picture of the original stacked on top of the new repro: Image Unavailable, Please Login So far, I've got only a handful of finalized samples: Image Unavailable, Please Login But I don't need them all. So, if you want a copy, send me a PM. Okay, this is not a for sale post, I'll create one later once I get the full batch. And, the first 8 requests will get an extra of any of the previous unsatisfactory samples as pictured below: Image Unavailable, Please Login You can see that one of them were cut by a local locksmith and had been used for awhile, even on track day. It worked perfectly. I'm not looking for profit, but I want to recover the cost and time and effort spent. Trust me, you'll be merrily surprised. Cheers!
I was able to find a locksmith to cut my Neiman blank easily. I do thank you for including the different angle on the bump so they won't be confused with true originals, though.
You guys are lucky to find someone doing it for you easily. Most locksmiths here just said "no" after looking at the OEM one. One of them pondered when I offered to buy a brand new cutter just for the job and he said "I'm afraid I will damage your key". After more than a dozen try, I gave up. It's the third trial to make it as it is. In reality it's not as easy to make an exact replicate as it seems so there are always subtle differences if you know where to look
I just came back from Vienna there is one locksmith that sells them for 32 euros all origional i got 4 of them i had one cut no problem at all.The old guy told me the where made in the 50's 60,s70,s for Porsche and Fiat Neiman was a German Company but no longer exist,he got all the old stock, the keys for the 50,s cars are all 200-250 euros and he will not sell the blank,s you have to bring your Key and he will cut it at no charge,very inerresting place
If I'm not mistaken you bought another model of the Neiman key in Vienna. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/365-gt4-2-2-400-412/459294-source-uncut-neiman-ignition-keys-found.html
A lot of locksmiths don't like doing car keys as they are cut on both edges unlike house keys. I was lucky and found one on the third try willing to give it a go. He cut me 3 spare sets and they all work perfectly. I got the blanks from Ebay from the US while I was there.
Ill take a couple as well (maybe 4 if the price is good) if these are the keys that also fit the 328. I have original keys only and don't want to break them.
The Neiman keys are not original to the 328 - the 328 key should have a black folding head and they are prone to break. Many people will use a 355 key blank as a back up for the 328. The Neiman keys were early 80's and back.
The key blade for the era of 70s-80s (330, 365, 246, 308, 328, 400 etc etc) Ferraris are pretty much the same as they mostly use Neiman 68 ignition lock. Only difference is the key bow or head. The keys themselves can be made by Neiman like this 246/308 style or SIPEA (Licenza Neiman) folding key for 328 or other styles such as the 365 asymmetric Neiman style. Correct me if wrong.
Just to note here that all copies of the first batch were either shipped out or spoken for already. I will let you know when the second batch arrives. Thank you.
Good day Steven, The key blade is actually different for the 365 GT4 2+2 and 400 (GT and i... 412's are different again) series cars in that there are "teeth" on both edges of the blade (see pic)... so the lock cylinder is different (you cannot insert a 308/boxer key into the 365/400 lock cylinder). That being said some of these cars had their ignition lock replaced and at times the 308/Boxer style lock assembly and key were used... Cheers, Sam Image Unavailable, Please Login
To answer some queries here, this type of Neiman key is the original style of the ignition keys for 246 and 308 series. I'm not sure whether there are other specific models using the same key, sorry. It is not for the 328s. The purpose is not to create an exact replicate of the original key but a mimic key that you can use casually and don't have to worry about it being lost, so your precious and almost irreplaceable originals can be kept safe at home. The material was chosen so it will not wear your lock cylinder as much as steel but also not too soft as brass. Also the colour was a major reason. Lastly, it's not for profit (at least myself) and it's just a mimic key with decent quality like the silca, ilco ones you can buy elsewhere, and it should cost similar as those. If you don't have the original, it's for you, too.
My original plated brass one broke. I bought some blanks, had the locksmith cut them, got home, and none of them was correct. In frustration I made my own in stainless steel. Image Unavailable, Please Login
You folks are making me doubt the wisdom of using my Neiman key as my daily key. ... Maybe I'll start using my copy.
