Manual tran reverse lock out

I was having some body work done by friends and someone got into my car to move it when they did they did not know that you have to turn the key and push in the clutch to take it out of reverse and apparently forced it into nuetral and now I can't get the key out or turned all the way back. Help where do I start to look for the problem? Is it a linkage problem or ignition problem.  

edit

http://repairguide.autozone.com/znetrgs/repair_guide_content/en_us/images/0900c152/80/08/37/80/medium/0900c15280083780.gif

1969-77 Transmissions

Place the ignition switch in LOCK.

Loosen the locknuts at the swivels on the shift rods and reverse control rod.

Set the transmission shift levers in neutral positions.

Shift the lever into neutral. Insert a locating gauge, 1 / 8 thick X 41 / 64 wide X 3 in. long, into the control lever bracket assembly.

Hold each lever against the gauge and adjust in turn. Tighten the shift rod locknuts and remove the gauge.

Loosen the interlock bracket assembly bolts at the bottom of the steering column. Make sure that the bracket is not stuck to the dash and then tighten the bracket again.

Move the ignition key through OFF and LOCK positions. If there is any binding, readjust the interlock linkage.


here is a blow up of what the steering column looks like....  item 19 is the bracket for the shift interlock

http://repairguide.autozone.com/znetrgs/repair_guide_content/en_us/images/0900c152/80/08/37/c7/large/0900c152800837c7.gif


this and more info is available if you join autozone.com for free and select your corvette and then click on the repair info link... they cover a lot of years of vettes...



oh.. and you might be able to grab the shifter bowl... and turn it to the right or left to get the key out...

your back up lights may not operate without repairing this system...