The big advantage to column shift, as cabs got bigger and roomier in the 1950's, was not having the big stick in the floor bumping legs. Recently swapped my 3-spd for SM420 and amazed at how far left you have to move shifter for reverse. I'm not a big guy but I can't imagine a 6 ft 200 pound guy with big legs being able to get the shifter over that far.
Actually, it's not that bad. I'm 6'4". around 280 lbs, never really had any trouble with the SM420. Now if you really want to talk about a cramped situation, picture a guy my size trying to drive a '71 Duster 340 with a Pistol Grip shifter. Found out the hard way that I can't put it in reverse and have my foot on the brake or gas at the same time.
