Dart 70 steering column lever ?

[Nacho-RT74]

I was checking a buddy's Dart 70 Swinger ( locally called GT  ) and noticed a lever on engine bay side lust like it was column shifter, but car is floor shifter... why that lever ?

Maybe previous owner changed the column? but the column is a correct 70, with the hidden ign courtesy light setup.

[birdsandbees]

Reverse lock out lever. Only lets you take the key out if car is in reverse.

[70 sublime]

Reverse lock out lever. Only lets you take the key out if car is in reverse.

Do you mean it should be in park to get the key out ??

[Nacho-RT74]

Oh OK!!! I was trying to remember if the car got the release lever collar on column like my 74 got... I can't recall if was there.

[Nacho-RT74]

Reverse lock out lever. Only lets you take the key out if car is in reverse.

so... is 70 a crossover year bewteen 60s columns and 70s columns with floor shifter ? Mine ( 74 )  it got the release lever on column appart of any tranny linkage

[birdsandbees]

I read "floor shift" and immediately thought 4 speed! Linkage on column has to rotate when in reverse to get key out. A '70 only thing. I've never paid attention to my '70 bird, floor shift auto, but I think it does the same in park. I'll look when I hit the shop...

[Nacho-RT74]

cool!


forgot to say, car is auto!

[Nacho-RT74]

My car got the collar like his which needs to be depressed to release the key, no matter the gear... so, this is a 71 and lates deal, right ?

[70 sublime]

On a 70 steering column the round part of the column just below the direction signal part will turn but has no buttons or words on it
My last 70 did not have the extra linkage installed to the floor shifter part
I just left the column turned so I could get the key out
Some times after driving it would roll a bit and would have to give it a twist to get key out

[birdsandbees]

I tried to get you some pictures by holding my camera under the car, as I don't have it on the lift. All I got was enough to haunt me of how much I need to clean up before Talladega! 

Mine is still hooked up, as 70sublime states, you put the car in park and it rotates that lower column lever and inturn the collar in the car so that you can then get the key out.

[Alaskan_TA]

1970 model year steering columns are a one year only deal.

With everything set up & working as intended, you can only remove the key in the 'Park' position for automatic transmissions & in 'Reverse' position for manual transmissions.

Many more details at http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/ServiceHighlights/1970PassengerCarHighlights11.shtml

[Nacho-RT74]

cool!!! thanks!

so being a floor shifter, should be a linkage between tranny and steering column lever.