Ergonomics is all the rage these days, especially in the automotive arts. Having the various controls we use to interface with our classic Chevys in just the right spot really adds to the overall driving experience, just like having them in the wrong spot, for lack of a better term, sucks. The steering wheel is how we become "one" with our cars and having it positioned correctly makes a huge difference, not just in performance driving, but even cruising around town.
This whole concept is really nothing new. Back in the day, General Motors offered tilt columns as an option for those that didn't mind shelling out a couple of bucks for added driving comfort. Today, you would be hard-pressed to find a car that doesn't have a tilt column standard.
Adding a tilt column to a non-tilt car isn't rocket science, but there is one problem-availability. Twenty years ago, you could just hit up a salvage yard and find a good OEM unit. Over the years, the carcasses have been picked clean and it has become increasingly harder, and more expensive, to find factory tilt columns.
Also, given that many of the ones out there are over or nearing 40 years old, they are typically suffering from the ravages of age.
Unless you're building a concourse restoration, there's a better way: the aftermarket. Companies like Flaming River are making retrofit tilt columns for our cars, and the best part is that they are brand new and made from modern components. This lets you upgrade your ride without searching boneyards or dealing with a factory column and all of its worn out components.