steering coloum 72 nova

my car wouldn't start and i was told to get a new coloum after i did it worked for about 6 mo after that woulnt work unless i pulled shifter to the far left into park i have been told it is the neutral locking switch but i can just keep buying new coloum every time they stop working not to mention hard to find i kept the old one because i have kept the car all original because it is a heirloom i have been told i could buy a push start switch but dont want to mount anything and ruin the origanallity of the car if anyone has suggestions im all ears :popcorn: