My 1968 convertible has a manual steering box and standard steering column right now so I can steer the car around without starting the engine. But you need gorilla arms to turn the wheel standing still. When I took my tilt column apart I discovered that the heart of the tilt mechanism is a plastic sphere that I feel won't survive with manual steering. My question is was a tilt column available with manual steering, or was power steering mandatory with the tilt option?

In 1969 you couldn´t get the tilt column with manual steering. I suppose it was the same in 1968, but I have no proof of that.

This is from a factory broschure over options: Steering wheel tilt - N/A w/std steering or man. trans.
http://www.gt-37.org/gallery/picture.php?/3772/category/198

The Sales Manual for 1968 shows tilt as an option to add to the power steering option 501.

And, the Pontiac Accessories brochure shows tilt with power steering only.

Thanks guys! That is what I wanted to see. I won't even install the tilt column until the car has power steering again.