If you don't want to get stuck like I am,

[AEW]

Great original question and very informative advice... I learn more new things reading this forum than I knew there were things to learn! I just compared four disembodied metal dash panels and see for the first time they are <span style="font-weight: bold">not</span> the same. Two (for my 56 and 57 presumably) have no hole to bolt the twisted column support to (next to the big hole for the trip meter reset). The second two panels (one still has the twisted strap on it) have about a 3/16 hole in the lip of the dash panel. These two must be for the 58 and 59 parts cars. But, I can say that none of the cars are over TS42000, so I can't confirm a link to split column vs. single shaft column. Maybe 3 and 3A. (then again these are just parts in piles so who knows)

Oh, and add my (unsolicited) thanks for the pictures too. Like most of you I have a shelf of books but a good photo is best.

 

[lbcs_r_fun]

I could have it wrong, but I thought that little twisty bit was a later addition so early cars would not have it.

Possibly installed when they went from split column to single-piece column?

You meant vice-versa, eh! single to split.

 

[Twosheds]

I could have it wrong, but I thought that little twisty bit was a later addition so early cars would not have it.

Possibly installed when they went from split column to single-piece column?

You meant vice-versa, eh! single to split.

Vice-versa it is! Or is it Versa-vice?

Thanks for clearing that up. I think the split needed more bracing than the single-piece.