Is there a difference between the "Older" and "Newer" locking gas caps?

A friend with an '87 Westy uses his ignition key to open the gas cap.

On my '84 and my '85 ... I can't do that.  They have shorter "different"
keys from the regular VW keys.

Mike

Robert Cardo wrote:
> <<The comment was made that they were not keyed to any specific key.
> That is not correct.>>
>
> Steve,
>
> Not to get you all cranked up because you are the key guy here, the man
> with the plan, the guru of tumbler's on the Vanagon list.
>
> Allow me to enlighten you.
>
> I've had 5 Vanagons ( 9 if you count junker's) and one key or another
> has always fit all.
>
> Ok, and this would go with your spongy tumbler / cap theory.
>
> However, when it was required of me to buy a new cap to pass emissions (
> direct from VW parts ) the key in any of the rides, ( or any other VW
> key I have for that matter) always fit the new cap.
>
> No gas soaked tumbler / lock this time.
> Or 3 other occasions I have bought new caps.
> The gas cap's don't even come with a key from VW.
>
>  Can you elaborate on this phenomena?
>
> I'm interested.
>