Plan to start looking for a tilt telescoping column for use in a truck project. Cadillac seems to have had the tilt/telescoping columns longer than most but what other vehicles had one? Also what year did the key switch move to the column generally? This could also be added to the ongoing junk yard shopping list. Thanks.
Try high-end cars from 1960-1967 or so (Olds 98, Buick 225, Chrysler Imperial, etc.) After that they tend to get a lot uglier, even if the key is still in the dash. I hemmed and hawed about a '68 or so Olds 98 tilt/tele column in a junkyard when I was building my car and ended up leaving it there because it was ugly. I don't regret it.
You forgot Thunderbird. I like the swing away colum better myself. Corvair had a telescoping colum in '65. I don't think I ever saw one that tilted. I have always thought that the 'vair colum would make a slick colum in a rod.
early T birds had one that telescoped but did not tilt. Mopars of the 70s that had the tilt/telescope column got it from GM....
The biggest hassle with a telescoping column is that you're stuck with the stock wheel that the column came with. On the Caddys, the telescoping lever is on the bottom of the horn button, if I recall.
That was the same for the 'vair. But they had a real nice looking face wood wheel. I don't doubt that if you were clever you could fit another wheel to one. I always thought that the telescoping colum would be the real deal in a busket T. You could smash it all the way down when you got out and adjust it to a comfortable driving height when you got in to go.
I always thought that a telescoping wheel would be great in a car with motor setback. You could pull the wheel aft to drive, but retract it when you have to climb out. I'll have to look up what the 'Vair wheel looked like. I have always thought that those poor cars never got their due. They had some really cool parts on them. On my hot rod bucket list, I still have a desire to build a hot rod '65-'69 Corvair.
All, GM started tilt and telescope columns on 1963 models ! 63-66 are my favorites ! Most are slim and some have tapered bowls so you do not have to blend them into the dash ! They also have external signal switches which are easy to replace and are reproduced ! GM ( Saginaw ) furnished Tilt , and T&T columns to Ford , Chrysler and AMC in 63-66 ! I have a large collection myself ! Good Luck, Sonny
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