For many years the console was an option on TA's.
A friend owned a 1970 four speed car, had no console. The window sticker on my 1973 listed the console as a $57.00 option, on my 1975 the cost went up to $68.00. The window sticker on my 1978 lists the console as no charge option. Several years ago, I saw a listing for a 1974 TA, it had an automatic on the column. Looked very strange and obviously someone forgot to check the console box.
My guess the console became standard on a TA in 1977 or 1978. I do some more research.
UPDATE:
Here is an update. I found this in Rocky Rotella's "Definitive Firebird & Trans Am book", page 146.
For 1976 it looks like you could get a four speed without a console on all but Formula's. The console was a mandatory option on all 1976 automatic equipped cars, except Formula's that had a front console as standard equipment.
IMG_0107 by
Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr
IMG_0108 by
Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr