1983 Buick Regal Floor Shifter Question

[Limited86]

I was just given a floor shifter out of a 1983 Buick Regal by a friend. I was planning on putting it into my Regal but before i do that I have a ?. I noticed that when i pull back the handle of the shifter as if i was going into Drive, it moves smoothly. I thought it was suppose to click for each gear it is put into. Could someone tell me if this is normal or is there suppose to be a ratchiting piece involved? Or is that clicking controlled by the tranny itself on these cars?

Thanks again