Heh, I was going to say that the design you're defaming was used for 50 years in many (even non-GM) car brands and you just meant blasted.
I need a Quaalude!
I learned to pop the clutch to lift the front on my 69 C20 so the steering would lighten up and then crank the big old wheel around quickly. Loved that truck. Tree speed column shift. I drove it for 2 years w/ only emergency 1st and reverse because of the shift linkage.