1968 4 spd steering column in what looks to be nice shape. $150 plus shipping

 

updated

 

A 68 4 speed column still has the automatic linkage lever on it?
Im asking not as a smart azz but as a legit question, still learning after 35 years of messing with 68s

 

Backdrive for the neutral safety switch?

edit: No, that's not right, MTs would use a switch on the clutch. Maybe this is really an AT-floor shift column?

 

 

OK sorry but I need to find out exactly what this is. Maybe auto floor shift? Bought with a bunch of other stuff. This is a pic of a 70 MT column and it looks similar

 

On the '69-up columns, they required a back-drive from the trans (both ATs and MTs I believe) for the ignition key lock. I know my '76 T/A w/ a 4-sp required the shifter to be in R in order to take the key out. Thus, the key lock kept it locked in R. It had a back drive from the reverse lever on the T10 to the steering column for that.

My bet is that what you have is a '68 AT floor shift column, as that looks like a neutral safety switch on the bottom of the column. However, I don't see why that would prevent this from being used in a MT car.

 

neither a 68 auto or manual floor shift column has a neutral safety switch on the column as the auto had the neutral safety switch mounted to the shifter and the manual had no neutral safety switch on the clutch pedal assembly untill 69 ,also there was no back drive untill 69. it is most likely that it is a column shift that someone changed the upper housing from a floor shift column.

 

The 68 Auto column shift cars will have this lever as seen at the bottom in your first post. It will also have the attached NSS also observed on your column. A column shifted car will also have a different speedo with the PRNDLS or PRNDL indicator on the lower speedo face. Where as the 3/4 speed and console shifted cars have that on the shift ball or on the console shift plate.
What I dont see is on yours is the adapter ring for the shift handle below the steering wheel adapter housing. A 68 stick or a console shifted car has a smooth ring under the steering wheel like yours.

I believe what you may have is a 67 or 68 Automatic column shift steering column which may have been converted to look like a floor shift by replacing the lower ring where the shift lever would attach? Now the question is what does the 68 stick shift look like? I know the Console shifted automatics dont have the lower lever. Id assume the same for a stick.

A 69 and up will have the same column for all 3 shift mechanisms as that lower lever actuates the NSS, the back drive and has the column lock and ignition key switch intergrated.

The column pictured in the first post will work in any console shift or 3/4 speed 68. A 68, 3/4 speed or Auto floor shift car has the NSS attached to the shifters.

I cant speak directly for the 67s but I thought they were the same as 68? Joe will step in here if Im off-base with any of this.

I have a 68 that was a bench seat column shift and I converted it to bucket/console and added the correct speedo and smooth base below the steering wheel. Wasn't smart enough to grab the entire column out of the 68 I pilfered 40 years ago. So I have the NSS(not used) and the lower shift lever. I do have a correct column just waiting for a resto so I can install it. It does not have the lower shift lever.

Thats why I once questioned a 68 W30 stick cars providence. It had the lower lever, the slot on the column with screw holes where a NSS would attach and it had the smooth housing below the steering wheel like mine. Owner swore it was a 4 speed from the factory. SO either the column got replaced or it was a bunch of bull.

MY68442W30 types faster than I, 5 mins faster....doh

 

Whoa, thats a lot of info. thx