three on Da tree question

[long69]

i just looked at and agreed to buy a 1969 nomad with a 3OTT. the shifter feels like its new, super tight and smooth. the throw from second to third is really short also, so short that i didn't realize if it made it into the gear. indications are that it could be 74000 original miles, but sitting in the coastal weather for as much as 20 years. so the question is - even when they were new, were the shifters in trucks loose or tight like this chevelle. if they were tight and sure like i'm feeling in the station wagon then i might investigate rebuilding. thanks for any response.
by the by the shifter in my truck is soo loose that it feels like the weight of the arm could cause it to pop out of gear, but not so loose that it has to be changed or fixed---yet.