I like the idea of a 3-speed in these cars but, like you, a column shift doesn't thrill me. A TorqueFlite is a great automatic, though, and I'd be happy with that, especially with the cool pushbuttons.
Curious: what do you like about the 170 vs. a more powerful (well, that's a relative term) 225?
By the way, I have a '57 Buick, for which I just bought the brocade seat fabric. Blue, though. ~Rob