The steering column that I'm working with is a floor shift model so no shifter tube. But there is a collar with a finger tab that sits below the ignition key. It appears that you have to twist the collar to remove the key? Is this a safety feature for '72? Just trying to figure how this thing works.

71 has that also, yes it has to be twisted to return the switch to off, and remove the key.

Is like that since 70

Thanks. The key doesn't come out even when I twist the collar and rotate the key back to the off position so there must be something else jammed up. Maybe the key is bent or the ignition cylinder is damaged. I'll poke at it some more.

When you put it in park the collar rotates, so you are missing
something under the column from the shifter or linkage under the car.
Then you press the lever and turn the key back to remove it.

Are you sure you are on OFF position and not in ACC position which is one step more back after the OFF position?

It is a manual shift car.

Did you miss this part?

My guess it's either there or in the clutch linkage.

There is no connection between the column and the transmission linkage so I know that isn't the issue.

I think the column is just worn out so I probably need to take it apart and see if I can rebuild it.

Right-On!