This is how Infiniti tried to make the 1990 Q45 key look "impressive." Also a mis-step on Infiniti's part, the $38k car (Internet calculator says $86k in today dollars) do not come or have the option of any kind of remote door lock/fob.
This is how Infiniti tried to make the 1990 Q45 key look "impressive." Also a mis-step on Infiniti's part, the $38k car (Internet calculator says $86k in today dollars) do not come or have the option of any kind of remote door lock/fob.
GameboyRMH said:Big keys are recent, due partially to electronics and more recently to the new Casino Royale movie, but reasonably cool keys were around in 1991, example:
Yes, the "Rare and Vintage Miata Parts" group on FB basically had to ban key listings because people were spending so much money on vintage uncut keys with hideous decoration.
I understand that keys swelled due to electronics, and at some point that got turned into status. IIRC there's an Aston Martin that has some sort of clear block used for a key.
Toyman! said:In reply to John Welsh :
I had a lady at O'Rileys call me Mr. Jefferson yesterday after asking what kind of car it was.
We finally got a piece of the pie!
In reply to Keith Tanner :
The Samurai key is bigger. The 635 had a bigger key. Even the RV keys are bigger and none of the have any electronics in them. They all look like car keys. Maybe it's a British thing.
In reply to j_tso:
I checked that, the newer Bentley keys don't fit. The original keyway was only used 6-8 years.
Sweet Bentley ol chap.
And yes I have but I've always liked sort of modest dream cars. It's still a surreal feeling!
Congrats!
British luxury cars had small keys and not so loud alarm chimes. Maybe it's a modesty thing?
Speaking of modesty, do you have the high/low, loud/soft horn option.?
Toyman! said:In reply to Keith Tanner :
The Samurai key is bigger. The 635 had a bigger key. Even the RV keys are bigger and none of the have any electronics in them. They all look like car keys. Maybe it's a British thing.
Don't want to spoil the lines of your trousers, old chap.
Vintage Ferrari keys aren't big either, apparently. 1960-1995 here.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Interesting. It's not something I've ever considered until now.
Keith Tanner said:Don't want to spoil the lines of your trousers, old chap.
Vintage Ferrari keys aren't big either, apparently. 1960-1995 here.
Very small and foldable for no reason. Ilco Fiat blanks are $8 though. I'm guessing some old TR7 key works for the Bentley? Hell I was excited to see that tiny cheap keys were available. 
In reply to crankwalk (Forum Supporter) :
The Bentley blanks were $12.95. I'm guessing it's not a common keyway.
Toyman! said:In reply to crankwalk (Forum Supporter) :
The Bentley blanks were $12.95. I'm guessing it's not a common keyway.
Score! Money saved that you can put toward a Walbro 255, manual boost controller, and an Ebay front mount.
John Welsh said:Speaking of modesty, do you have the high/low, loud/soft horn option.?
It does, changed by a switch on the center console. The city horn sounds like a 60s GM 4 tone. The country horn is a soft toot of an air horn.
Interesting fact. Right next to the horn button is an oil button. Pressing it allows you to check the oil level on the gas gage.
Unlike the VW it does still have a dip stick. I'm reasonably certain the dip stick weighs as much as the hood skin on anything made in the last 10 years. Seriously, it must weigh 3/4 of a pound.
I need some help. I'm considering a personalized plate for this one.
So far I have Turbo B and Flying B.
I would love some other ideas.
In reply to Toyman! :
TUR BEN
BEN TRD
In reply to Toyman! :
No, I've made mine.
Toyman! said:I need some help. I'm considering a personalized plate for this one.
So far I have Turbo B and Flying B.
I would love some other ideas.
GRY PUPON
ROLLS WHO?
4ME2
How's about TOYBO B.
So what's the early verdict on the car? Hopefully it's as good as it looks and only needs some minor TLC, and detailing.
GOT BENT
In reply to Dirtydog (Forum Supporter) :
Every time I see it, it brings a smile to my face. Since it's currently parked about 8' from my desk, I'm smiling a lot.
Even dirty, the finish on this car is unbelievable.
As to the rest of the car, the engine, transmission, and drive train are all good. I will be servicing them in the near future. Probably this weekend.
Since the car has been garage kept all its life, the interior is almost immaculate. Very little wear on the drivers seat. The rest of the seats are like new. I will be conditioning the seats and that's it.
The power seats and mirrors don't work, but I'm 95% certain I know what is wrong with them as the PO had them diagnosed but didn't repair them due to expense. The seat/mirror ECU has a battery in it that is known to explode and corrode the ECU board. As a temporary solution, I will be getting the seat and mirrors where I want them and leaving them there. Long term, I will be replacing the seat/mirror ECU which should fix the seats.
The rear suspension is pretty stiff. The most common cause is failed accumulators on the tops of the rear shocks. Those parts will be here Wednesday.
The brakes are pretty touchy and subject to darting one way. I'm fairly certain this is due to air in the hydraulic system. After I get the accumulators replaced I will be bleeding the system.
The coolant temperature gauge doesn't work. That will get fixed.
The only other issue is the radio doesn't work. Let's be honest, when you have a turbocharged 6.7 L V8 to listen to, do you really need a radio? The radio is a standard single din head unit with a trunk-mounted amp and CD changer. I will probably replace it at some point just to make it work, but it won't be soon.
Technically more than once- the Fiero was also once a 'dream car' (though that dream hadn't included the massive Caddy V8 the one I bought and took to the Challenge had in it), as was the E46 convertible. But the DMC was my first and ultimate dream car.
In reply to Toyman! :
My dream car was the Black Jack spl. I was 13 years old and one evening Riding my bicycle home the garage door was open and they were unloading it into their shop.
The shooed me away several times but I kept coming back. Eventually they gave up and let me watch from the door way.
I wormed my way in by being helpful. First picking up all the trash I could reach and putting it in the trash. Then. Leaning up the whole area I could reach by the doorway while keeping one foot outside.
They started cleaning and repacking the bearings and I more or less took over.
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