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This can't get too complicated. Just about every one of these cars has a problem with starting in park. The only ones that don't are the ones that have been fixed.
To start the car: Bring the steering column into position, if it isn't there already. Turn the key to start it, with your right hand. With your left hand, reach over the column and grab the shift lever. Lift it up, see if the starter suddenly engages.
The problem is the neutral safety switch. It is adjustable, but doesn't really go out of line by itself. What DOES happen is the shift components themselves wear out. Shift lever, upper bushing in the steering column, and the lower plastic bearing that looks like a doughnut. That bottom one is the hard one, the others are easy to replace.
As for finding a good mechanic in St. Louis or anywhere else, start by visiting a few car cruises or car shows. Talk to other cruisers, ask them who THEY recommend. Some do their own work, but others have favorite places to take their cars.
You'll often find shops that advertise in local magazines or sponsor shows. This is all well and good, but ask others who have used their services before trusting your car to them. This is the big mistake I made; I used highly-advertised shops to do some major work to my car. It cost me major money and nearly all of it must be done over, to the tune of more money than the car is worth.
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