Hertz Speedmeter lock

[6s1640]

Not necessarily memorability, but definitely a 1966 Hertz GT350H artifact.  The attached images shows the speedometer cable locks to keep the GT350H renter mostly honest.  The lock with large hole was on the back of the speedometer in the cluster, capturing the large nut inside, preventing the speedometer cable from being disengaged from the speedometer.  The other was to prevent the removal of the small bolt holding the speedometer cable to the transmission.  When the rental cars left Hertz, these were suppose to be removed, but not all were removed.

I have had these for years.  Purchased off a popular auction site.   IIRC, the seller tells me he and a buddy parted out a GT350H many years ago, rust bucket, and he kept these locks, stored away in the sock draw in his bed room.  Years later he found, auction off and sold to me.  They are the second set I have ever seen.

It will take some pretty rare piece(s) to make this trade.

Enjoy

Cory

[Bob Gaines]

Not necessarily memorability, but definitely a 1966 Hertz GT350H artifact.  The attached images shows the speedometer cable locks to keep the GT350H renter mostly honest.  The lock with large hole was on the back of the speedometer in the cluster, capturing the large nut inside, preventing the speedometer cable from being disengaged from the speedometer.  The other was to prevent the removal of the small bolt holding the speedometer cable to the transmission.  When the rental cars left Hertz, these were suppose to be removed, but not all were removed.

I have had these for years.  Purchased off a popular auction site.   IIRC, the seller tells me he and a buddy parted out a GT350H many years ago, rust bucket, and he kept these locks, stored away in the sock draw in his bed room.  Years later he found, auction off and sold to me.  They are the second set I have ever seen.

It will take some pretty rare piece(s) to make this trade.

Enjoy

Cory

Cory, extremely cool .Thanks for posting a picture of a seldom seen rare artifact.  For those reading evidence suggest that the locks were not used company wide . They were used in problem rental areas.Also they were supposed to be taken off when the cars were turned back in for resale. Obviously some got forgotten . I thought I would mention it so a Hertz owner would not think that his car would automatically get one or need one. They would be a cool addition to any Hertz car but just because they are not on a car doesn't mean the car is missing something. 

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Looks like they repurposed spare tire locks - http://www.garybeaupre.com/Site/Spare_Tire_Locks_Page1.html

[Bob Gaines]

Looks like they repurposed spare tire locks - http://www.garybeaupre.com/Site/Spare_Tire_Locks_Page1.html

The double sided security key seen in Cory's picture is far harder to pick and completely different mechanism then the single sided key used in the GM tire locks seen in your provided link. The bodies do look similar however.

[6s1640]

Not necessarily memorability, but definitely a 1966 Hertz GT350H artifact.  The attached images shows the speedometer cable locks to keep the GT350H renter mostly honest.  The lock with large hole was on the back of the speedometer in the cluster, capturing the large nut inside, preventing the speedometer cable from being disengaged from the speedometer.  The other was to prevent the removal of the small bolt holding the speedometer cable to the transmission.  When the rental cars left Hertz, these were suppose to be removed, but not all were removed.

I have had these for years.  Purchased off a popular auction site.   IIRC, the seller tells me he and a buddy parted out a GT350H many years ago, rust bucket, and he kept these locks, stored away in the sock draw in his bed room.  Years later he found, auction off and sold to me.  They are the second set I have ever seen.

It will take some pretty rare piece(s) to make this trade.

Enjoy

Cory

Cory, extremely cool .Thanks for posting a picture of a seldom seen rare artifact.  For those reading evidence suggest that the locks were not used company wide . They were used in problem rental areas.Also they were supposed to be taken off when the cars were turned back in for resale. Obviously some got forgotten . I thought I would mention it so a Hertz owner would not think that his car would automatically get one or need one. They would be a cool addition to any Hertz car but just because they are not on a car doesn't mean the car is missing something.

Hi Bob,  I agree with your assessment as well.  I have heard people finding the speedometer side lock and not the transmission lock.  The speedometer lock is much more work to remove.  I can imagine as a tech prep'ing the car for resale, they may have cut a few corners and not take them all off.

On the locks themselves, the one to watch for are the ones made by T&A MFG Co. St.Paul MINN.  There are other suppliers out there with very similar designs.

Take care

Cory

[J_Speegle]

Thanks for sharing Cory. Have pictures of a few of them though I've not found any myself. Never thought to check other Hertz rental cars I found in yards though I likely should had made the effort. Too busy looking for other things and taking pictures I guess

[Rocket]

6S550 did not have either lock on it when I bought it in 1967. Ron

[jerry merrill]

My 66 # 1869 had one one it when I bought the car in 1976. The car was partially disassembled and the instrument cluster was in a box with other parts with the lock installed. I was able to finally remove the lock and cable and must have disposed of it as I did not know the car was a Hertz as it was white with blue stripes and I did not find out the cars history until a few years later.

[GT350Lad]

Very cool.thanks for sharing

[NC TRACKRAT]

I was fortunate to find one exactly like Cory's (T&A mfg.) a few years back and realized what it was. It had no keys but a very competent locksmith here in town made a set for me.

[Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas]

Pictures of locks installed
Speedometer and transmission

[commok]

Way cool - thanks for posting!

[6s1640]

Hi Steve,

Very nice.  I am assuming you are happy with these locks.

My son has been watching a YouTube video on picking locks.  There is some guy he watches that can pick any lock.  I'd like to see him pick the gauge cluster lock while installed in the dash.  The transmission one might be easier to pick.  If I was a crook back in the day, I'd just cut the cable.

When you get you display put together for the car show, you will have to post pictures of that as well.

Thanks for sharing.

Cory

[Bob Gaines]

Hi Steve,

Very nice.  I am assuming you are happy with these locks.

My son has been watching a YouTube video on picking locks.  There is some guy he watches that can pick any lock.  I'd like to see him pick the gauge cluster lock while installed in the dash.  The transmission one might be easier to pick.  If I was a crook back in the day, I'd just cut the cable.

When you get you display put together for the car show, you will have to post pictures of that as well.

Thanks for sharing.

Cory

Cory, I don't understand why a Crook would cut the cable. It didn't have anything to do with stealing a car, The purpose of the lock was to keep the speedometer cable from being disconnected to circumvent mileage used to determine a rental car bill .It had to be done without anyone knowing otherwise you would not get away with the scam. Typically not a huge amount of money ether way. The lock didn't have to be super sophisticated because it wasn't that big of deal. Yes they are on the easy side to pick if a key is lost.I have done it with a lock pick a couple of times for friends who found them. There would be no incentive for a crook to cut the cable.  If the crook cut the cable then it would be obvious he was trying to manipulate the mileage and the scam would not be successful.

[Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas]

I plan on having a display of the installed locks at the 2021 MCACN show at the Hertz Collection Invitational, everyone who wants to can stop by and see them