Some drivers may recall that Ford used to include backup plastic keys with its pickup trucks. Recently the owner of one checked to see if the brand’s plastic keys have stood the test of time. Automotive influencer Aaron Meltzer, host of the show Dentside Depot, uploads content geared towards restoring Ford trucks from 1973-1979. In one of his clips, he shows off an emergency plastic key and tests it out on the vehicle. Plastic Key: Will it Work? Meltzer’s video features a late-model Ford F series pickup. “Believe it or not Ford offered a plastic emergency wallet key for their full size pickup trucks starting in the late ‘80s. But was it ever designed to open the door and start the truck in the cold weather? Let’s find out,” Meltzer narrates. (In comments, many people say that the truck is actually from the late 1970s.) Then Meltzer places the blue plastic key in the lock. “First let’s see if it’ll successfully unlock the door without breaking,” he says. The key slides in without a hitch and he turns it counter-clockwise. It works. OWNERSHIP STORIES Viral stories from across the web Our team of experts tracks what owners are saying about car-shopping, repairs, the daily driving experience and more on social media. Next he checks to see if the key will start the truck on a cold day. “Now let’s see if it’ll cold start my truck … [without] breaking. Here we go,” he says, turning the plastic key in the ignition. Initially, the engine stutters a bit before ultimately turning over. “And the answer most satisfyingly is actually yes,” he says with a note of surprise. Gallery: Backwards 1952 Ford Truck The Ford Backup Key A listing on Picclick shows the plastic backup keys that used to come with Ford trucks. The key was cut into a plastic card that appears to be the same dimensions as a credit card, which was meant to be kept inside a wallet or purse. This one for sale on Picclick says it’s intended “For EMERGENCY Use Only.” A Reddit user in a now-deleted post on r/mildlyinteresting explained, “You were supposed to bring the key to get cut with your normal key and then leave this card in your wallet as a backup for emergencies. It comes out enough to go into the key machine but it stays attached by that piece on the top of the key on the left. You don't leave it uncut like this.” Someone else in the same Reddit thread said AAA used to offer a similar service. They described the product as having a similar design as the Ford wallet key. “AAA used to offer wallet keys like this. Came in handy when I kept locking myself out of my Miata. I'd have the key in to put up the windows after the top and it wouldn't ding,” they said. Another said that their repeated use of the plastic key eventually caused it to deteriorate. This ended up making their vehicle easy to steal. “We kept forgetting our keys, and … would use it several times a week. Finally … the plastic got jammed in the cylinder,” they wrote, adding, “You could just turn it without any key because the ignition had those two metal ‘ears.’” Other automakers also offered plastic keys. An uncut Lincoln plastic key is for sale on eBay; the eBay product description states that the “Emergency Plastic Credit Card Wallet Key” was included in 1980s Lincoln vehicles. Elsewhere on the site someone is selling a plastic key for Toyotas, though the listing notes it isn’t meant to start the vehicle. “Caution: This key will unlock the door. If your vehicle is equipped with a Remote Keyless Security System with Engine Immobilizer, the enclosed Credit Card Key will not start the engine," it says. Nostalgia for Plastic Keys? Meltzer’s post sent drivers on a trip down memory lane. “Used to carry one in my wallet just in case lol,” one wrote. Another recalled, “My 83 LTD came with a set of those plastic keys.” “Chevy did too. They had 2 keys: one for door, one ignition!!!” a third said. Plastic keys may have some feeling nostalgic, but in reality they haven’t entirely disappeared from the market. Anyone who owns a Tesla is probably familiar with the EV manufacturer’s credit card keys. Toyota also offers updated credit card sized key cards for its vehicles. Motor1 has reached out to Ford and Meltzer via email for further comment. We'll update this if either responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team