Ah ok. Very good, that is also removed so yes. That makes perfect sense.Looks like part of the steering column lock linkage.
If interested here's an instruction sheet that came with my cheap $99 headers (from 1981). I've since gone back to manifolds and unmodified linkage.Looks like the previous owner removed all that to install headers. Not sure if I can get it back together. I'm sure it has to be modified if I keep the headers.