the 57 shift stuff is a bit different than what would have been the 51 setup, there was
a "bell crank" on one of the earlier shift rods that was dropped by
56-59, and the arms on the trans are different, so the relation to the notch on the column where the shift box sits may be different, and I think the length of the rod from the lever down the column will be different as the 57 box has a
longer built in rod than the early box - those pics may help, probably could all be worked out easier than with a 51 shifter .... and you'll likely need to have a drive shaft made the right length
Bill
