<VV> To Telescope or Not To Telescope - That is the Question

[airvair]

Todd,

The column is easy to change, especially on a '67-9, which has a pot
joint just above the steering box. Very accessable place to separate the
two.

As to the chrome, ALL Monzas should have a chrome applique on the spokes
(though some Monzas have been found with factory-installed 500 wheels.)
The wheel and trim (if present) is no different on a tele column. The
stamdard horn buttons ARE, though. The '67-9 tele column has a horn
button reminiscent of a 500, with just a plain bowtie on it, whereas the
standard Monza button has a plastic insert that says "Monza" in it.
Further, you apparently have a wood wheel on the tele column, each of
which was available with or without the other. Together, they make for a
nice package. BUT, BTW, a '69 didn't have the wood wheel available, so
putting it on a '69 wouldn't be "factory" kosher. Just how "stock" do
you want to be with it?

The turn signal switch is the same on ALL '67-9 cars (the Boyne switch),
despite the gross error in the factory repair manual showing the Delco
switch as well. No '67-9 cars use the Delco switch. Period. As far as
the tele column goes, the Boyne has no problem handling the duty, so no
differences are necessary.

I know of this all by my extensive experience, as '67-9 cars are my
specialty. I just this summer put in a tele column in my '69, the saga
of which was in a recent CC. I also have a tele column w/wood wheel in
my '67 convert, which came out of another '67 convert parts car. So if
you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me. I'll be glad to help.

-Mark

ChiefTAM at aol.com wrote:
> 
> While I was under the car, inspecting things after taking the tank out, I
> observed how open the steering column is at this time.  When I purchased my  69
> Convertible, it had in it the stock black column and black Monza steering
> wheel, but the previous owner also gave me a 69 telescoping column and  wheel.
> The column is in pretty good shape, just needs a good cleaning, but  the wood
> (?) wheel has a crack in it, which I'm sure can be fixed by someone in  VV
> land.
> 
> Anyway, I got to thinking, are there any benefits to putting in the
> telescoping column?  I think the black Monza column and wheel look good,  but the
> chrome and wood wheel looks good too, and it is a bit more rare.  I  don't believe
> the car came with the telescoping column, (don't know if there was  a trim
> tag code for that) but would it hurt anything to put it in?  Looks,
> performance, scoring in Concours, etc?  Thoughts about changing out the  column?  It
> doesn't look like too big a job.  Also, does anyone know  if the turn signal plate
> that causes the turn signals to go off after a turn is  the same from the
> standard column to the telescoping one?  Are the columns  that same length?
> Thanks for your comments.
> 
> Todd (bored while waiting for my tanks) in Texas
>