Today I found a tilt steering column labeled for a '71 Cutlass. The automatic shift lever was still attached, and had a push button at the end of the lever. I'm not sure what function this button serves, cruise control perhaps? Please reply if anyone has seen that sort of thing before. (sorry no pics)

Thanks,

 

Sounds like a wiper mist option that they had for a couple of years. I had a 1971 Vista Cruiser with it, since then I've come across a few of them for both the A and B body cars. Check out the pictures in this old thread to see if they match what you have.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...70-72-a-19168/

 

If that's a pushbutton wiper switch, that is a pretty rare piece.

 

Thanks for posting the pics, that's exactly what the shift lever on the column looked like (and the same Sienna color too). I had no idea about that option.
My next question is whether that column will swap right in place of my standard steering column? Thanks again, very helpful.

 

A friend of mine has a 1970 Toronado GT and was questioning the button on the end of the shift lever as well. Just to be clear...does the button activate one sweep of the wipers only or does it activate the washers and one sweep of the wipers, or the washers and "regular on or stay on" for the wipers?

 

It's been a while since I dismantled the car mine was in. There was no washer squirt, just a swipe of the wiper blades. But I don't remember for sure if it was a single swipe or a couple. I believe the intent was when there's a light mist falling so one didn't need to keep the wipers running. Back before the wiper delay was common in most cars. I have an Olds 98 and a Toronado columns in the rafters of my garage with these arms in them. I think there was something special with the wiper motor too, it seems like they had a different number than the normal wiper motor. John