The key turns smoothly and turns, the steering lock disengages smoothly.
The key doesn't start the engine because of an unknown electrical fault as reported by the PO that the car would crank but only start in neutral. This has been the case and has functioned that way smoothly up till now.
The shift lever moves forward and back but not at all to the side, It's locked as though the key were not in the ignition and not turned.
I've watched this video showing the inside of this mechanism and while I don't quite pick out in the video where the shift lever lock is located, I get the idea all this has to come apart.
I will still give it another try with spraying penetrating fluid all inside that area from the outside and giving it some taps and see if I can get it to break loose. I'd hate to have to take the wheel off like that if I can avoid it.