husky drvr
Platinum Level Sponsor
Paul,
I have to apologize on my history lesson - seems I misstated a bit after checking around. Sorry.
I was under the "confusion" the legislation that specified the "P-R-N-D-*" pattern for auto transmissions came about in 1964, was more far reaching in scope, and was related to when seat belts were first being installed in new vehicles. It was actually not codified till 1971. The seat belt installations were all state requirements until the 1968 MV Safety Standards went into effect requiring three point belts.
The Chrysler push-button auto was dropped in 1965 because new management wanted something different.
So with all that, it seems the Rootes column shifter fell to the wayside most likely due to economic reasons rather than legislative ones..
Sorry about the misinformation,