Make sure you exercise both arms and drive with 2 hands; otherwise, one arm will be bigger than the other. Besides looking strange, it could affect your balance or have you walking in circles. 

I've decided to buy a gym membership instead. 

Removing/replacing the steering column is not that difficult. I removed mine/w steering wheel still attached and the seat in place. You could start looking for another OEM steering column or aftermarket. Put one away and modify the other. It might not be any cheaper to go aftermarket, but you might prefer the results. I've not had firsthand experience with Borgesen, electric, or rack-and-pinion. Unless you do the work yourself, don't forget to add the cost of labor to that $3,000 price tag. 

Phil, I know $3000 is a good chunk of change but it will probably add that value to the car because it will look right and require no cutting or altering to install it if that's what is important to you.  I was making the same decision about 4 years ago due to a worn out right shoulder. I was fortunate to have found a complete kit as sold by Ford in the day, for 61 through 64 F100s. It works great.


64F100 57FAIRLANE500

For considerable less money you could install an electric power steering unit out of a modern car. I have a Toyota one for my roadster. It does require cutting the steering column to fit it but that's all it takes. That and 12v power.

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Yup, early power steering was basically a hydraulic system added to manual steering. They made parking and tight turns easier but in normal driving they felt numb due to over boosting. I'll keep my manual steering; exercise is good for ya.

If you like to drive with one finger, go ahead and spend $3,000 on the kit. Personally, I like to keep both hands on the wheel. My wife uses 2 fingers at 7 o'clock. If she finds herself in a tight situation, she'll have little/no control of her car. 60+-year-old power steering does not feel like modern power steering. If you keep your manual steering, try to avoid u-turns and parallel parking. 

Spending ten bucks on a pair of 3# dumb bells and exercising your arm muscles is a cheap solution! 

"FREE SAMPLE"

Thanks for the input. My car drives fine around town and at speed with arm strong steering. I'm not getting any younger and I can't help but think my car would be more enjoyable with power steering.  $3,000 is a lot of money to invest in a car that is not appreciating.  There is a complete set up on EBay right now for $2,500.  This is a crazy price for used parts that need rebuilding.  I offered $1,000 but the seller turned me down.   As stated above, I did discover the 57 and up parts are different.  All the modern solutions require cutting the car or making serious modifications. I have never driven a small TBird with power steering, so there's the unknown factor.  The good news is the summer is almost over and we can get back to driving with the top down.

I suggested that you drive a 1955-57 Tbird/w original power steering before you spend $3000. There are more-affordable, non-original options that you might prefer. Once I'm moving, I don't mind the original manual steering. I do admit that it would be nice to have light assist and a smaller steering wheel.