Triumph Spitfire - original vintage early 1960s CUD peardrop keyring in age-worn condition - collector's item

An original CUD peardrop Triumph Spitfire keyring which will have been produced in the early 1960s .

We have just this one example of this keyring in this condition to offer – when this keyring has been sold this listing will be cancelled .

This is a very scarce keyring which can be dated to around 1962 as CUD had just stopped producing their famous torpedo keyrings and very briefly produced these peardrop shaped keyrings before ceasing production altogether .

As such it is an example of one of the very earliest keyrings which will ever have been produced for use with the first Triumph Spitfire cars from 1962 onwards .

This keyring is in very well used ( but still perfectly serviceable ) condition with a nickel plated Triumph shield badge with blue & white vitreous enamel detail mounted onto a peardrop keyfob in genuine black leather .

The vitreous enamelling has many chips and cracks as can be seen in the enlarged high resolution photos .

The leather keyfob has become very well worn in like a comfortable pair of shoes but the badge is still securely attached and the eyelet is still well mounted with the splitring passing through.

This keyring is still perfectly serviceable – it has many more miles left in it yet – but is more a collector’s item as an example of a completely original period keyring although it would look very much the part in use in an original condition car which has not suffered the indignity of over- restoration .

A few years ago keyrings in this condition would not have been considered saleable but the market has changed very dramatically .

Nowadays many customers do much prefer a keyring which has ‘had a life ‘ rather than one in new old stock perfection – and the value of original automotive keyrings has risen to the extent that original keyrings in patinated condition for interesting cars like this one have now become relatively valuable items .

Venerable old keyrings like this one were brand new almost 60 years ago and dangled from the ignition of a similarly brand new Triumph Spitfire motor car as the ignition was turned on for the very first time .

Fast forward almost a lifetime and that keyring has now travelled countless thousands of miles probably in several Triumph cars but often with the same driver .

It has only been as a result of repairing many hundreds of keyrings for customers over the years that we have begun to realise the significance of these aged jewels and the sentimental importance that they are held in by their owners irrespective of condition .

Keyrings like this one have often become talismans which have accompanied their owner on all their journeys through life .

If only a keyring like this one could talk…………….

The keyring will have been made in the 1960s by Castles Unit Developments of Church Gate Leicester ( the famous CUD Company )

The keyring in the photos is the actual one which you will receive