Just picked up this coupe and and found this gizmo for a steering column stand...its keyed and the key rotates no problem, but not sure what the heck its for....any ideas?
It is part of the original ignition system. First you had to turn the key to unlock the column and allow you to turn the ignition switch to the ON position. Then you pressed the starter button to start the engine.
It's what Ford called a "coincidental" lock. Meaning you unlocked the steering, coincidentally unlocking the ignition switch.
Looks like a fun car! Lots of different configurations of what you have were made by ford but you got the answer already What’s the plans for this one?
originally those Ford locking switches locked into a sleeve that is slid over the steering shaft , held on by a couple set screws, with a notch in it to stop the steering when its locked. You have not told the whole story for us, but if its all 32 column, or built from bits from various years, and it does not lock, they have eliminated the sleeve on the shaft, or maybe even the pin in the mechanism
I think '47 Ford was the last year for the locking steering. I remember many years later when they reintroduced them like it was some kind of new fangled invention on the then modern cars! Early '70's I think. Dave