'70 Cuda - what is this hole for?

[ovCUDAvo]

I picked up a '70 cuda a couple months ago. My first project car and I am looking for all advise I can get. The car is a '70 440 automatic. I think at some time or another somebody was going to put in a 4 speed. What is the hole next to the steering colum for? Also any advise for the surface rust in the interior? I was thinking I would wire wheel the best I can then shoot it with some type of rust inhibitor - epoxy - paint. I've never painted before but none of it will be seen.

[Changin Gears]

The factory hole in that position is oval shaped, it is for the clutch linkage.  That one is 2-3 time the size of normal and round.  Auto cars have the same oval hose but with a plastic plug in it.

[R/T hedkace]

The factory hole in that position is oval shaped, it is for the clutch linkage.  That one is 2-3 time the size of normal and round.  Auto cars have the same oval hose but with a plastic plug in it.

 


And welcome to Cuda-Challenger by the way 
Sounds like you got a great  E body.
Would love to see some more pics.

 Here's a few of mine so you can see what the hole originally looked like 

[ovCUDAvo]

Thanks for the help. Any advise on how to close it up. Should I weld a piece of sheet metal or would it be considered shotty if I just screw a piece in?

[R/T hedkace]

Thanks for the help. Any advise on how to close it up. Should I weld a piece of sheet metal or would it be considered shotty if I just screw a piece in?

My 
You never know what you might have in mind for the future as far as possibly converting to a 4 speed, so you may want to leave it and just get a rubber plug.............BUT if you know for sure that you are going to own the car for good and you are definitely NOT going to change the automatic, then yea, just weld it up.
Screwing in a piece of sheet metal could be considered "hack", especially if you ever plan on selling it in the future.
If someone see's something like that it does raise a red flag as the what else might have been done.

 Like I said, just my 
Ultimately it's YOUR car to do as you please