Bought my 69 (4 spd) in 1976. The very first night I drove It was on a date. We pulled into a 7-11 to get drinks, but while trying to leave the shifter was locked up and we were stuck in the parking lot. It was a first date, and she began to roll her eyes. A somewhat “crusty†looking guy holding a tall Budweiser came up to the window. As the eye rolling continued, he asked what was the problem. As I explained, he reached in my window (more eye rolling) twisted my steering column, to the left I think, and walked away. The shifter was free, and the date was saved. I too, pitched the linkage when the headers went on, and think I owe the guy a beer!
