<VV> Further column stuff

[Sethracer at aol.com]

I wrote:
The 67-69 Telescoping column is unique, very pricey, 
and also very  rare. I won't address that model here.
 
Well - I guess I can address some of it. The 67-69 tele-column is unique to 
 those cars. There might be an adaptability into a Corvette of similar 
years.  Let's leave that to the Corvette folks to determine. As far as swapping 
into  another Corvair, it can be done -any 67-69 column, not just the 
Tele-column. It  involves a whole lot more work than the simpler 65-66 columns. 
The Collapsible  design affects the whole underside of the dash, the pedals, 
the firewall and, of  course the steering box. When GM put in the collapsible 
column they moved the  stamped steel coupler down to the location just 
outside of the steering box.  That makes the 67-69 steering box unique as well. 
It is almost like the early  60-63 box, except it is steel, not aluminum. 
The input shaft comes out of the  box about the same length. The 67-69 box has 
a flat cut onto the splines, unlike  the 60-63, but the same as the 66 
style box, which has a longer input shaft.  This flat allows the column coupler 
to be installed in only one position. It is  probably a dealer service 
department thing to keep customers from complaining  after a service when the 
steering wheel could end-up 30 degrees off! 
 
As far as the value of the 67-69 Tele-column, if the unit can be adapted to 
 the Corvette and appear as original in that application, the sky is the 
limit. I  have had a mid-year Corvette, though I no longer do. I have several 
friends who  do, though, and the guys are willing to stuff unbelievable 
amounts of money into  them to appear as "original". I know Flaming River 
released a pair of  tilt-wheel steering columns for the Corvettes and, according 
to my sources there  are selling well. Tilt wheels were offered at some point 
on the Corvette,  but not in the late 60's. There are several Corvairs 
running around with  Tilt wheels columns installed, too. Here is irony, How 
about we install a  Corvette column into our Corvairs! (just kidding) 
 
The column Smitty is selling is a 67-69 style and comes complete with  a 
box (which may be a fast box as well.) For sale to a Corvair person, the  
set-up should be worth about $900- $1000. But the buyer for that complete set-up 
 might be hard to find, because they would likely own a 67-69 and want both 
 the Tele-column and the quick box. PS, Smitty, if it really is a quick  
box, be sure to get the steering arms off the car as well! Or Smitty could  
separate the two pieces - and find that there are two different markets for 
the  two items. 
 
-Seth Emerson