The first theft prevention systems that locked both the steering wheel and the transmission shift lever were introduced in 1969. For cars with floor mounted transmission shifters, there was a separate rod or cable that connected the transmission to a lever on the lower end of the steering column. You had to place the auto trans in PARK or the manual trans in REVERSE in order to be able to rotate the ignition lock cylinder all the way to OFF-LOCK and remove your key. This was known as the steering column/transmission interlock system.

Several years later, GM cars with floor mounted shifters had a small lever on the steering column up near the ignition lock cylinder that you needed to trip in order to be able to turn the ignition key all the way to OFF-LOCK. This was known as a "finger inhibitor."

Federal law required that the manufacturer lock either the steering wheel or the transmission shifter - but they did not have to lock both.

With the "finger inhibitor" system, I do not believe that GM locked the floor shifter (automatic or manual). With steering column mounted shift levers, I believe that GM continued to lock the shift lever with the original design interlock system.

What year did the Camaro start using the "finger inhibitor"? Also was the transmission lever locked or not?