Column shift auto is standard for HQ Statesman. When they were first released there was 2 x models:

1569 - standard with 202 and column auto
1669 - standard with 253 and column auto.

The 1569 was dropped early on in HQ, leaving the 253 and column auto with bench seat as the base Statesman. 308 could be optioned, as well as 350 and TH400 but both still column shift and bench seat unless optioned as buckets and T-bar (or buckets with column shift). There were even a few 308 4spd HQ Statesmans built.

From memory even the Statesman Deville was standard with column auto but behind a 308, with 350 and column shift TH400 as an option.

HJ-HZ Deville were column shift standard as well.

So what you have isn't rare in the scheme of things but would be today. Same as 350 powered Devilles and Statesmans (lots built, not that many left today).

It is normal for most HQ's to have their BODY plates blank for ENG, TRANS and RRAXLE, as yours is standard for its model they will all be blank.