Guessing it is a brace only to ward off vibration or help with unwanted torsional movement, especially in low gear. Modern term is what NVH? Noise Vibration Harmonics? Without it shifter might move too uncomfortably in your hand...

Just guessing.


R-Bo

1959 Apache 1/2 ton Big Window, Short bed Fleetside (under reconstruction)
1966 GMC 305V6 in the family