Driving without keys - occasionally quite legal
You've probably been annoyed when you've been handed a completely smudged car key after an inspection. Or felt that queasy feeling when you misplaced the workshop key and had to return your car to the garage with free access to the glove compartment and trunk.
Back in the fifties, Opel had a solution to both problems that was as simple as it was ingenious. In addition to the 0 (off), I (ignition) and II (starting) positions, the ignition/starting lock also offered the G ("garage") detent. If the key was removed in this position, the engine could then be started without the metal helper.
On the Rekord P1, the lock for this was still designed as a knurled knob. In the Rekord A, the garage owner had to make do with a coin. So anyone who handed in their Opel for inspection in the G position could sleep soundly, because a locked glove compartment could not be opened with either fingers or a coin.
However, the Rekord owner should remember to turn the ignition lock back to the 0 position when he got home after the service was completed if he didn't want to make it too easy for Opel-hungry thieves...
These and other functions of the Opel Rekord A are explained in the owner's manual .
