I have a 70 SS With M21 trans, floor shifter, numbers matching with two build sheets. VIN numbers do match on body, engine and trans. Steering column has linkage and brackets down to frame as if it had a column shifter (auto or manual). Box 70 on build sheet has CX.

Box 70 on mine is CH. Console M40

Car did not come with console. Did all standard transmission cars (SS) have floor shifters? It appears that bracket on frame was not added.

linkage is supposed to be there with the 4 speed from the trans up to the column, its called the backdrive linkage, and it rotates the steering column to activate the reverse lights when you shift into reverse. Reverse light switch is mounted on the base of the steering column down by the floor.

Thank you,
Must be missing linkage from bracket on frame to transmission.

that lower mechanism was also used to rotate the steering column to "lock" the column, new for 1969 and later cars with the key on the column and not on the dash.

Both the standard trans and the automatic locked the column either in reverse for standard or park for auto trans.