Those column changes appeared from the '40's through to the '60's on many cars worldwide.
They were the latest design fad and even some sporty cars had them..
However, they were indeed difficult to the point of almost making a car undriveable when worn and sloppy. The problem was worse with four speed and reverse gearboxes, because the gear lever had to be able to move and operate in three planes with more potential for mechanical wear and problems etc.
They were better and often easier to use when the car had only a three speed gearbox- such as the bigger Fords and Vauxhall of that era, and many of the Australian cars of the era with which I'm familiar and which were also larger 6 cylinder three speed and reverse cars-as the column change mechanism was simpler than for 4 speeds and reverse.
When you recall all those vehicles from that era (lousy drum brakes, cross play tyres- often retreads!- and few or no safety features, seatbelts etc- it makes you wonder how we all survived driving those cars- especially when they were old, worn out and the only cars cheap enough for many young folk to afford..
My first group used an old 1957 Ford Thames 400E van - which was knackered by the mid '60's- we travelled thousands of miles including interstate trips here in Australia...
Would you let your teenage sons travel in a banger like that these days?
