Based on everyone's suggestions, I shot some Aerokroil on the shifting rods and shift lever on the column. It really freed everything up, and seems to be shifting smoothly. It seems odd to me that this problem seemed to worsen lately...perhaps the arrival of cold weather cause the old grease to harden more.

This spring, I plan on disassembling the column, and clean and lube everything.

-Kevin


This is what happens when you live with a house-full of women, the wife and daughters name all the cars:
1960 Impala - "Frankie" (Frank Sinatra)
1961 Apache - " 'Mater Jr." (wrecker)
1965 Corvair Monza Convertible
1967 C20 "Ol' Blue" (hidden in a log cabin for 30 years)
1972 SuperBeetle Convertible - "Juliet"
1976 SuperBeetle Convertible - "Olaf"
1988 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce - "Romeo"