thanks everyone!!!
finally some essential parts arrived.
worked on the automatic shifting do-hickey. took apart the original 3 on the tree selector and welded it so that only 1 selector moves. cut the other one and rounded it out, you have to keep it cause is supports the shaft. with a universal shift rod kit and a little trimming we have the stock column / shifter now working an auto trans:
steering is connected. using some 3/4 DD, a DD universal joint and a column bearing. in the pics it is only mocked up:
inside the cabin it will all appear stock:
including the accelerator pedal. a cheap spoon pedal and an angle bracket puts the spoon just behind the stock pedal, now the push style original pedal can pull the carb linkage:
last thing will be the brake pedal. that is going to be in form of a CPP kit with booster on firewall. nothing crazy, just something that will work.